Comradely Confrontation

All is diplomacy and the promise of delicate stepping around the issues of maintaining stable relations between the European Union and the new Russia become so fond of carrying her big stick and not averse to using it. Russia, through Gazprom, is now stepping down slightly from rhetorical belligerence so worrisome to the EU through past experiences of sudden energy cut-offs to prepare to sign an agreement with Ukraine in the interests of settling outstanding payments.

Payments claimed to be overdue, and representative of a truly astounding amount to the great puzzlement of Ukraine's own energy representatives, who responded to Gazprom's claims of entitlement and warning of a cold winter in stunned disbelief. The disgruntled Russian bear, still smarting from the realities of world-power honour lost and regained, chooses now and again to lash out in anger at those who formerly relied so heavily upon her good graces.

Still, Europe is concerned. And France's new president has stepped up to the plate. Something that Nicolas Sarkozy is fond of doing, presenting himself as a new Napoleon on the world stage. Uttering bold statements, undertaking risky adventures, and basking in the glow of his early achievements. Including moving France closer to a traditional ally, the United States.

And obviously not averse to chiding those who step too severely out of line. In the process telling it like it is: Iran is moving itself from world censure to the potential for violent invasion to ensure it does not gain nuclear weaponry and in the process arm the world's too-ample supply of terrorists in its bid to unseat every other world power through force of acquisition and action.

Also, not ignoring Russia's newly-gained strength of posturing, and even more, supporting worrisome regimes, thus "complicating" world affairs. So here is Nicolas Sarkozy telling Russia that its human rights record is compellingly awful, and its bullying on the world stage, most particularly its neighbours through the threat of withholding oil and gas is having a deleterious impact.

Not the least of which is expressed in the way that others view its alarming alignment with problematic governments. So helpful in nuclear acquisition for Iran, for example. So unwilling to denounce human-rights abusers in the guise of other nations' leaders lest they bring undue attention to their own dreadful lapses. As in what truly is the story behind the murder of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya.

As though the Kremlin is prepared to denounce its own - apart from its identification of past KGB apparatchiks gone bad, as little red herrings. Sarko is feeling a little perky himself, flaunting his EU-aligned presence in Bulgaria, Poland and Czechoslovakia, then going on to visit in a most comradely fashion with Vladimir Putin.

His message initially placatory; to address Mr. Putin with the assurance of his "conviction that Russia is, and will remain, a major player in international relations, and an essential partner". But there are buts, aren't there always? Yet, meeting the prospect of confrontation, Moscow contends its anticipation is that the visit would clear the air on France's stand on several global issues.

So which will it be? Russia holding France to account for its more aggressive stance in support of all that Russia tends to find itself in conflict with, or France holding Russia to account for its more aggressive stance, refusing to support Western-based initiatives to halt the spread of nuclear arms and human rights abuses?

Well, doggone, when all is said and done, both countries will have their differences. In values and priorities and the friends they choose. Because the first order of business will always be trade entitlements and the enhancing of opportunities in development and partnerships so valuable to the economies of both countries.

Case closed. Kind of.