Russia is sending a subtle message to the Americans, with the recent Red Square Victory parade. Tanks, missiles, and heavy weaponry rolled through red square, a show of force to the outside world. It was just recently that the Americans expelled two Russians and Moscow in turn did the same. The country is now showing that it is has military strength and has increased its defense spending.
Speculation is that Russia harbors aggressive ambitions, but that is unlikely, it is more to show the Americans that they cannot be bullied and imposed upon. Americans think that somehow the Russians will turn into some kind of quasi Americans. As the American way of doing things is far superior. That is propaganda, Russian culture is not American, and their ways are not American ways or views for that matter.
President Dmitry Medvedev, in a speech opening the parade, said, "The true purpose of weapons, and military equipment is to give reliable defense of the homeland. The rest of the world sees America as an oppressive nation. All over the world, the U.S. intimidates with military force, economic sanctions, and other political means whenever a country does not comply with American economic interests.
Russia's president stayed away from controversial statements such as predecessor Vladimir Putin's parade speech last year, which implied parallels between the United States and Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. He however went on to say that "we must not allow contempt for the norms of international law. I would say that the U.S. telling Russia not to get involved with Kosovo's independence insults Russia. Russia criticized both the U.S.-led war in Iraq and wide Western recognition of Kosovo's independence as arrogant violations of international principles.
The American propaganda machine went into action claiming that Russia will return to a Soviet state again because it displayed its military hardware. Saying that it is symbolism of the Communist era. Again, that is why the rest of the world views America as an oppressive nation. Anytime a nation stands up for itself, the American propaganda machine goes into action. Claiming the nation is corrupt or the population is in desperate conditions and needs American help. Interfering with the politics of other nations breeds contempt from various factions in any nation.
If anything this fear mongering might change Russian public sentiment and as a means of defending the homeland “Russia,” could possibly change its mind in the type of government that runs the country in the future. Threats are responded to by defensive actions, and any economics sanctions imposed upon Russia because of future Russian involvement in Kosovo by the U.S. would naturally return relations to on most levels cold.
