ESTONIA
Journalists are worried that the EU's international standing has visibly weakened, and its attitude to Russia has become exceedingly soft. They write that the Europeans have resigned themselves to letting developments in the Caucasus take the path mapped out in the Kremlin.
The Nice summit "has given its silent approval to Russia keeping its troops in Georgia. The EU has retreated from its old position which stipulated that the PCA talks would not resume until Russia fulfilled its obligation to pull out of Georgia." (Postimees, November 15)
"Lack of consistency in relations with Russia has become one of the biggest problems for the EU." (Eesti Paevaleht, November 15)
Coverage of that subject includes an interview with Enn Eesmaa, the Estonian parliament's head of foreign relations, who said Estonian politicians were not objective in assessing the sides' actions in the Georgian-Russian conflict.
"Estonian politicians have gone so far in their unconditional support for Georgia that they are hard put to recognize their mistakes, Eesmaa said. In his opinion, there is not much more than speculation and guesswork regarding Russia's actions [during the conflict], which keeps the highlight on Georgia's arguments. Estonia's position is a black-and-white policy." (Eesti Paevaleht, November 13)
LATVIA
The media comment on Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's words about the possibility of terminating the Nord Stream gas pipeline project, writing that Gazprom will be unable to fulfill Russia's alternative proposal for LNG deliveries.
"Russia is angry at the EU's intention to conduct an additional inspection of possible environmental hazards of Nord Stream. Several countries are against the project. Analysts say Gazprom will be unable to quickly build gas liquefaction plants to provide a serious alternative to the gas pipeline." (Dienas Bizness, November 17)
Journalists of periodicals catering to ethnic group interests write that failure to correctly assess the propaganda effect of the Russian-language media may eventually change Latvia's policy.
"The Ukrainian authorities became truly worried about the influence of the Russian TV channels only before the elections. Russian television broadcasts to Latvia are a long-term ideological project whose effects the Latvian politicians can definitely see but prefer not to speak about. The struggle against the political influence of Russian TV broadcasts will not be easy." (Latvijas Avize, November 14)
LITHUANIA
The press writes about President Dmitry Medvedev's new image at the G20 anti-crisis summit in Washington.
"On his first visit to Washington as Russian president, Medvedev was polite and diplomatic, not the president who denounced the United States in Moscow. After the August conflict, Medvedev abandoned the image of a liberal politician and took up aggressive rhetoric previously used by Vladimir Putin. But in Washington he again put a diplomatic mask on his face. He spoke in a language of compromise with Barack Obama." (Lietuvos Rytas, November 17)
Observers write that the use of the East and West special Chechen battalions during the conflict with Georgia may lead to major problems for the Kremlin.
"The loyal Chechens helped Russia win the war against Georgia, but the Kremlin may have to pay for this. The expanding powers of Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov may soon become a major headache for Russia, because the cruelty of his henchmen is consolidating the rebels, above all Islamic ones. In addition, the Chechen leader may declare independence [for Chechnya]. This is why the Russians are maneuvering between Chechen clans that hate each other. They are using this tactic throughout the Caucasus, but failure is only one small step away, or a move that may infuriate a clan leader... Russia has more problems with separatists than Georgia does." (Lietuvos Zinios, November 15)
BELARUS
Observers are discussing the consequences of the potential deployment of the Russian Iskander missiles in Belarus.
"This may affect our relations with the United States and the EU. Oil and gas privileges will not make up for the problems this project will create for Belarus." (Solidarnost, November 14)
"Servicing non-nuclear missile systems is not expensive. But servicing nuclear-tipped missiles is not only expensive but also dangerous." (Belorussky Partizan, November 13)
Journalists are disappointed that privileges for individual businessmen importing goods from Russia will be cancelled on January 1.
"The innovation will hit not only individual businessmen, but also consumers, because prices will grow and shelves in shopping centers will become empty." (Solidarnost, November 12)
UKRAINE
Some publications continue to cover the accident on the Russian nuclear-powered submarine Nerpa. Those who think it was not intentional think it is bound to undermine the international esteem of the Russian defense sector, which most Ukrainian experts have denounced as overblown.
"The accident has put the Kremlin in a fix, because President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin have been doing their best to demonstrate Russia's military might. This is not true naval might, but only a pretense. All these warships are quite old, according to modern standards, and will have to be decommissioned soon. What will replace them? Russia has not had any luck with warships or submarines so far." (Den, November 12)
Other analysts write that the accident on the submarine, which Russia was preparing to turn over to India, was an act of subversion by an enemy of India.
"Many countries do not want India to have the submarine. The Nerpa is a powerful weapon, especially its Shkval anti-submarine nuclear-capable missiles and the Granit cruise missiles. The Kamov design bureau, which works for the navy, has even designed a foldout helicopter that can be ejected from the submarine with the pilot inside. The Nerpa was designed for special operations. It is easy to imagine against who India would conduct such operations, what with the two wars it has waged against Pakistan, and China and Japan growing stronger." (Gazeta po-kievsky, November 13)
MOLDOVA
The official media write about the importance of Vladimir Putin's visit to Moldova for a meeting of the CIS heads of government.
"He was eagerly expected in Chisinau. The Russian prime minister's visit was a signal event for Moldova. Relations between the Russian and Moldovan authorities, which had been tense, thawed only recently and are now regaining sincerity and trust." (Novosti-Moldova, November 15)
The opposition newspapers write that Moscow's patronage is doing irreparable damage to Moldova's national interests, and think the government must radically change its foreign policy.
"Moldova is still poor, humiliated and loyal to Russia... despite the aggression against Georgia." (Timpul de dimineata, November 12)
"Moscow says it is in favor of settling the Transdnestr conflict, but in fact it is hindering the process. The Dniester is becoming a frontline in a relatively cold war. Only by clearly aligning with the West and starting a broad campaign for the withdrawal of Russian troops will Moldova help the international community force Russia to pull out of Transdnestr." (Jurnal de Chisinau, November 18)
ARMENIA
Publications quote politicians' negative comments on Moscow's role in brokering negotiations between Yerevan and Baku. They believe that Armenia and Nagorny Karabakh are just small change for leading world powers in their political and economic games.
"The Maindorf Declaration [signed near Moscow by the presidents of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan] continues the aspirations of superpowers, first western, and today, of Russia, which pursue their interests at the expense of the national and state interests of Armenia and Karabakh." (Azg, November 13)
"Russia has two scenarios. The first - gas for Karabakh - demands sacrificing Azerbaijan, establishing a union with Turkey, and neutralizing the Armenian factor. But ignoring Armenian interests will drive Russia out of the 'big game' ... For Russia and the EU, Nagorny Karabakh is the only factor that can hamper or help create a South Caucasian energy corridor." (Hayots Ashkhar, November 12)
Analysts believe that negotiations between Caspian states and the EU on the Nabucco project are making such headway that Moscow should exert more efforts to defend its interests on the global energy market.
"Negotiations on Nabucco have gone so far that Russia cannot any longer stand idly by. Attempts to expand Europe's gas market could deprive Moscow of the positions it gained on the global energy market." (Hayots Ashkhar, November 12)
GEORGIA
The results of a Russia-EU summit in Nice have afforded the media an opportunity to harshly criticize the West's position on the Russia-Georgia conflict.
"Sarkozy has struck an ostrich pose and declared that the Russians have fulfilled the six-point agreement. But Russia has simply brought the 'proud' Europeans down to their knees. Georgia is being constantly threatened with occupation and annexation by Russia. This is what a weak Europe has secured from Russia." (24 Saati, November 12)
"Europe is scared witless and is refusing to stand up to Russia. The West is unaware that the more it cringes away from Russia, the more Moscow will demand from it. One need only to recall Hitler." (Sakartvelos Respublica, November 14)
AZERBAIJAN
Some authors are concerned about Russia's aggressive foreign policy, which, they say, is in sharp contrast to the state of the country's defense sector and armed forces.
"Russia's military ambitions don't have a leg to stand on. Russia lacks financial resources to implement its plans. The defense industry is in crisis. Within it a passive protest is growing against the Kremlin's warlike policy. This protest means political opposition in the army. The army is heading for a crash." (Halg Djebhesi, November 14)
KAZAKHSTAN
Some analysts believe that for former Soviet republics the so-called "multi-vectored policy" (maintaining equally distant and mutually beneficial relations with leading world powers) is a utopia. The leadership of Kazakhstan realizes this.
"Astana's policy is increasingly leaning toward its 'strategic partner', Russia. The withdrawal of Kazakhstan's capital from Georgia is a political step which got the disapproval of Washington, but a positive response in Moscow." (Novoye Pokolenie, November 14).
Opponents argue that a strategic partnership with Russia will return Kazakhstan to the place of an outlying imperial region.
"Russophile political commentators use the term 'Central Asia' as a Soviet cliche. Russia is conducting a massive propaganda campaign to tell the states in the region that it is high time they quit their multi-vectored policy." (Novoye Pokolenie, November 14)
UZBEKISTAN
Commentators explain Uzbekistan's decision to pull out of EurAsEC by unsolved problems in relations between Tashkent and Moscow. These problems have prompted President Islam Karimov to adopt a pro-Western stance.
"Uzbekistan's move has been due to a number of reasons. It is not all plain sailing with Moscow: Tashkent has raised a fence of excise taxes and duties around its market and turned down some lucrative energy contracts with Russian business, opting for the Japanese and Koreans. Karimov's proposal to unite the CSTO and EurAsEC also met with no understanding from the Kremlin." (Vesti.uz, November 12)
Analysts give positive marks to Moscow's calm behavior on Tashkent's move. "It doesn't worry Russia whether Uzbekistan is a EurAsEC member or not: it is unpleasant, but not deadly. Thank God that in this situation the Kremlin, unlike the Russian press, has taken a pause. The break is needed to think things through and draw the right conclusions. It will be worse if Uzbekistan continues its disintegration policy towards the CIS and Russia as a cementing link of the Commonwealth. Such a prospect is very likely today." (UzMetronom.com, November 12)
KYRGYZSTAN
Publications focus on problems created for the republic by a crisis in the Russian economy.
"The Kyrgyz government is aware that more and more migrant workers are coming back as the crisis deepens. This poses a great problem. It is no secret that the money sent by migrants is of great help to their families living in Kyrgyzstan. It would not be easy to compensate for the loss of these funds." (Asman-Press, November 13)
TURKMENISTAN
The media harshly criticize Russia for preventing Turkmenistan from becoming an independent player on the world gas market.
"It is no secret that until the last moment the main gas transportation infrastructure ... has remained practically unchanged since Soviet days and was focused on supplying gas to Russia. Russia, for its part, has monopolized all energy flows toward Europe with Gazprom's help. Any attempts to break this monopoly have been and are being bitterly resisted by Russia." (Gundogar.org, November 13)
Quoting expert estimates, the writer predicts the inevitable collapse of Russian policy in the region.
"The skeptical attitude to all routes of gas transportation from Turkmenistan other than through Russia is now done with and buried. Even the most pessimistic forecasts show that Turkmenistan ... is turning into one of the largest gas players in Eurasia ... Russia's pipeline monopoly on the transportation of Turkmen gas is over ... Russia is on the verge of discovering that its energy policy and its geopolitical role in the region have suffered a serious setback. Considering that post-Soviet policy in Central Asia has always been flat and uninspired, this will be a natural result." (Gundogar.org, November 13)
TAJIKISTAN
The global financial crisis, in the opinion of commentators, threatens Tajikistan's labor migration to Russia.
"The world financial crisis, which has now spread to Russia, has reduced demand for workforce, and made migrant workers remit less money ... In 2007, Tajik workers sent $1.5 billion home, contributing 36% of the country's GDP. As the crisis advances, migrant workers' contributions to their economy will diminish. The global financial crisis could force migrant workers to return home." (Nigokh, November 13)
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