Yana Pitner

From Daily Planet Staff Reports

The good, the bad and the ugly of recent Russian relations with nearby countries was reviewed in detail by Dr. Yana Pitner on Feb. 1 at UNC Asheville’s Owen Conference Center.

Pitner’s talk, titled “Russia and Its Neighbors,” was sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Western North Carolina. About  40 people attended on a snowy, icy night.

Pitner, a Russian native who moved to the United States about six years ago, has served as an adjunct professor of history at UNCA since 2007. Her specialty is Russian and European history.

She began her talk by citing a famous quotation, “The secret of politics? Make a good treaty with Russia” by Otto von Bismarck.

More seriously, Pitner said Russia’s “traditional goal” has been to secure its borders from enemies.

She reviewed the history of Russia, beginning with its expansion in the 1600s. Pitner noted that “after the disintegration” of the Soviet Union in 1991, there was a commonwealth of independent states.

Pitner prompted much laughter from the audience when she joked about the difference between the British and Russians. “The British leave without saying goodbye,” she quipped, while Russians say goodbye “but never leave!”

In modern Russia, she said the Russian-Georgia conflict involved the components of bilateral relations and conflict over Georgia’s two autonomous republics.
At the end of 2003, there were positive relations between Russia and Georgia, but since then, “relations have seriously deteriorated ... The main factor that poisoned Russian and Georgian relations was centered in border disputes,” she said.

“Very often, Russian politicans deliberately mix up the history” of north and south Osetia, Pitner noted..

She also spoke of unilateral procedures in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, circa 1977, wherein each republic had a right to secede freely if it chose.
“In general, the Caucuses have great explosive potential for Russia. The basic problem is poverty.”

She said many believe Moscow “should either support territorial integrity or separation.”

As for the August 2008 Russian-Georgian clash, Pitner said many insiders were surprised that American and other western media summarized it as Russia attacking Georgia. “In reality, Georgia started a full-scale attack in South Osetia,” prompting a heavy-handed response from Russia.

She also noted that a constant problem is Russia’s “exaggeration of casualties,” further hurting its credibility.

Still, Pitner said “Russia had its right to consider South Osetia as independent.”

Meanwhile, Russian-Ukrainian relations, which “I conclude leaves explosive potential” between the two countries, have been exacerbated by the presence of the Russian fleet in the Black Sea in Sevastopol, Ukraine’s embrace of NATO, gas disputes between the two countries and Ukraine’s support of Georgia in its recent clash with Russia.

Regarding gas disputes, Pitner said, “Russia provides about 25 percent of natural resources to the European Union and 80 percent of Russian gas goes through Ukraine.”

Ukraine “took advantage of the situation by helping itself to Russian gas. It was explained” by Ukraine to other EU countries “that Russia was an unreliable gas-supplier.

Despite charges that Ukraine supported Georgia during its clash with Russia, she said Ukraine denied the allegations.

“What’s happening in Ukraine right now is interesting with a pro-Russian candidate leading ... It’s difficult to predict who might win the presidential election.” However, “I hope it will influence Russian-Ukrainian relations for the best,” Pitner said.

During a question-and-answer session that followed, she said of South Osetia, “Traditionally, they (Georgia and S.O.) have not been united. South Osetia  depends on Russian economic assistance” to survive.

A man asked about America’s involvement in the Russian-Georgian War, to which Pitner said, “No Americans assisted” Georgia directly. “Weapons were shipped. Obviously, corruption is a big problem in Russia.”

With a grin, she noted the irony that when Russians decide to go into exile, “they all prefer to flee to Britain. I don’t know why!” The crowd laughed at her characterization.

A woman asked what South Osetia needs to do to be officially recognized.

“The problem is,” it “did everythng” properly, Pitner replied. “I think in time, it (South Osetia) will be independent. I’m very optimistic about that.
Regarding the proposed placement of missile bases next to the Russian border, Pitner said, “Russia considered it as a direct challenge to national security. Russia considered it a threat.” In her view, a better solution to the situation would have been to hold an open and honest discussion.

On a separate matter, she said that, although it appears that Georgia started the war with Russia, “Russia’s response was disproportionate.”

As for “what Poland wants,” Pitner said, “Historically, Poland has been betrayed by its allies. Therefore, they don’t trust Russia. Only with American missiles would they feel safe from Russians. There’s a strong anti-Russian sentiment in Poland.”