Senior Russian Researcher Vladimir Shapovalov: The U.S. Has Convinced Us That It Cannot Be Trusted

Vladimir Shapovalov, Deputy Director-General of Moscow's Institute of History and Politics, recently said that U.S. policy over the past 25 years has demonstrated to Russia that the West cannot be trusted. Speaking on the "Right to Speak" show on Russia's TVC channel on June 4, Shapovalov explained that every time Russia made overtures toward the U.S. and NATO, the end result was frustrating.

Shapovalov: "Three times over the past 25 years, Russia made steps toward NATO and the US. What was the outcome? In the 90s, it ended with Yugoslavia. Then, in 2001, Bush said, with regard to Afghanistan, that Russia is the best ally and friend. What was the outcome this time when we extended help to our western neighbors? It ended first with Iraq and then with South Ossetia (the Russian-Georgia war). Then there was the so-called 'reset' policy. What was the outcome of that? Continued NATO expansion eastward. Now let's see what will happen if there is a new 'reset' in our relationship."

Host: "So you think that's possible? Like a booby-trap?"

hapovalov: "This 'reset' will end up reducing our nuclear potential again, and perhaps NATO will deal with its problems and America's problems in the Middle East and Afghanistan at our expense. What do we gain from this? Apparently over the past 25 years, the US has convinced the Russian political and military experts and elites that it cannot be trusted."