08:08     08 March 2022    

Paul Goble, an expert on Russia’s ethnic minorities and a former adviser to both the U.S. State Department and the CIA gave an interview to Baku Tribune.

Paul Goble, an expert on Russia’s ethnic minorities and a former adviser to both the U.S. State Department and the CIA, gave an interview to Baku Tribune. - Recently, many have expressed the opinion that the Russian-Georgian war of 2008 and the current Russian-Ukrainian war were a manifestation of the revival of Russia as an empire. What is your opinion? - The president Vladimir Putin wants to restore a Russian Empire, not a soviet one. He wants Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine, but not most of the rest. Destroying others by war is a way of intimidating those he wants back most - What could be the consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war for other post-Soviet states? - It is difficult to think that all of them are more afraid. With some deciding they have no choice but to seek the best deal with Moscow, and others doing everything they can to move in the opposite direction. - Is there a real threat of a new Cold War or, more precisely, some kind of long-term confrontation between Russia and the West? - There has been a new Cold War since at least 2008. I think this one will last almost as long as the last and will end when Putin leaves office, likely as a result of his death. - What are your forecasts for the future? - I remain a pessimist in the short run and an optimist in the longer term. I think the post soviet states have a great future, but just not right away.