US Can’t Act Without Russia in Current Geopolitical Reality – German Media

Russia’s decision to revoke the transit authorization for NATO goods to Afghanistan has revealed the fact that the US cannot act without Russia in the current geopolitical reality, DWN reported.

Russia’s decision to stop the transit of NATO goods through its territory poses a significant challenge to the United States, DWN wrote.

On Monday, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev denounced a decree allowing NATO to transport its military goods through the territory of Russian Federation by rail, ground or air. This right was guaranteed for the NATO mission in Afghanistan under the UN mandate, which expires at the end of 2015.

The decision to denounce the transit permit for NATO military goods and arms through its territory was made in connection with the termination of the UN Security Council Resolution 2001, under which such transit was permitted.

This step, however, constitutes a significant problem for the US which is planning to keep 13,000 NATO soldiers stationed in Afghanistan to coordinate counterterrorism operations until the end of 2016.

According to the newspaper, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a clever move forcing Americans to intensify their diplomatic efforts and seek to improve US-Russia relations.

In the past few weeks, US visits to Russia reached singular frequency: US State Secretary John Kerry was the first to come to Russia and meet with Russian President Putin in Sochi, followed by Obama's special representative Victoria Nuland’s visit to Moscow on Monday.  The high-level meetings are a clear signal that Americans can no longer act without Russia in the current geopolitical reality, the article said.