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Joe Biden: â€œRussia’s economic troubles will loosen its grip on former Soviet republicsâ€

27 July 2009 09:40 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden made unexpected statements concerning Russia during his interview to the Wall Street Journal, APA reports. Biden said Russia’s economy is "withering," and suggested the trend will force the country to make accommodations to the West on a wide range of national-security issues, including loosening its grip on former Soviet republics and shrinking its vast nuclear arsenal.
"They have a shrinking population base, they have a withering economy, they have a banking sector and structure that is not likely to be able to withstand the next 15 years, they’re in a situation where the world is changing before them and they’re clinging to something in the past that is not sustainable."

Specifically, he said, economic troubles played a central role in Moscow’s strong desire to restart nuclear-reduction talks.

Bidenâ€™s interview caused misunderstanding in Moscow. Russian Presidentâ€™s aide Sergei Prikhodko said the statements contradicted the outcomes of the recent visit of President Obama to Moscow.
â€œA question arises, who determines the foreign policy of the US â€“ President of members of his team?â€ he said.
Prikhodko noted that economic difficulties not only in Russia but also in other countries were sourced from unconscious and adventurous activity of the US economic institutions.

The White House also made a statement concerning the interview of Vice President. Official representative of the White House Gibbs noted that President Obama said in Moscow that the U.S. seeks a "strong, peaceful and prosperous Russia".
â€œPresident and Vice President believe that Russia will cooperate with us not because of its weakness, but in accordance with its national interests,â€ he said.