Russia seeks 'post-West' order as US vows loyalty to allies

US vice president Mike Pence with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi before their meeting at the 53rd Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, February 18, 2017. REUTERS/Michael Dalder

Munich // Russia on Saturday called for an end to what it said was an outdated world order dominated by the West after US vice president Mike Pence pledged Washington’s “unwavering” commitment to transatlantic allies in Nato.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov offered a diametrically opposed global vision, just hours after Mr Pence vowed to stand with Europe to rein in a resurgent Moscow.

“I hope that [the world] will choose a democratic world order — a post-West one — in which each country is defined by its sovereignty,” said Mr Lavrov.

The time when the West called the shots was over while Nato was a relic of the Cold War, he said.

In its place, Moscow wanted a relationship with Washington that is “pragmatic with mutual respect and acknowledgement of our common responsibility for global stability”.

Moscow has been impatiently waiting for Donald Trump to make good on his pledge to improve ties which plunged to a post-Cold War low as Barack Obama slapped on sanctions over the Ukraine crisis and Russia’s alleged meddling in Trump’s election.

On the campaign trail, Mr Trump repeatedly praised Vladimir Putin and voiced his willingness to work with him in fighting terrorism.

But in the face of growing heat over its links to Moscow, Mr Trump’s administration appears to be backing off the warmer words used earlier for the former Cold War foe.

Exasperated and worried by Mr Trump’s calling into question long-standing foreign policy assumptions, European leaders have warned Washington not to take transatlantic ties for granted.

On a European roadshow this week, Mr Trump’s lieutenants have sought to reassure jittery allies that the administration will hold fast to existing foreign policy, including maintaining sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine crisis.

Hours before Mr Lavrov addressed the Munich Security Conference, Mr Pence told the same forum that the United States will stay loyal to its old friends.

“The United States is and will always be your greatest ally. Be assured that President Trump and our people are truly devoted to our transatlantic union,” Mr Pence said.

The US would also not relent in pushing Russia to honour the Minsk ceasefire accords with Ukraine, he said.

“The United States will continue to hold Russia accountable, even as we search for new common ground, which as you know, President Trump believes can be found,” the vice-president said.

At Nato headquarters in Brussels on Thursday, defence secretary James Mattis said Russia must first “prove itself” and respect international law before there could be any improvement in relations strained by Moscow’s Ukraine intervention and annexation of Crimea.

Likewise, US secretary of state Rex Tillerson indicated he would take a tough line in his dealings with Russia.

Following his first meeting with Mr Lavrov in Bonn on Thursday, Mr Tillerson said the US would cooperate with Moscow but only when doing so “will benefit the American people”.

Despite the US charm offensive, European leaders gave a cautious reaction.

German foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel said he “had no doubt that the American vice-president and the defence secretary will do everything to fulfil their commitments within Nato as in the past.”

* Agence France-Presse