[FreedomSurge]

The US has to back the Russians, unfortunately. The French led EU has declared itself to be the enemy of the US and has and will continue to oppose all US actions.

The Russians at least we can bargain with.

[cicero's_son]

The French are not the only voice in the US. Do not forget the newer members to the East, all of whom have voiced strong support for the Atlantic alliance. The new center of gravity in Europe has moved to the East, and the Franco-German axis is no longer firmly in control.

We should do all we can to encourage the power of these new Europeans, all of whom are deeply skeptical of Putin's Russia.

[Kolokotronis]

Unfortunately, you are correct. I just hope Putin realizes this.

[Tailgunner Joe]

Some of the nations in the EU sided with us against France and are our close allies, particularly those in Eastern Europe, who remember their subjugation at Russia's hands.

Russia sided with France against us.

[Johnnyboy2000]

"The Russians at least we can bargain with."

LOL

Have you noticed that Russia is the main reason why Iran will have nuclear weapons very soon, and that they also blocked our U.N. resolutions because they were involved in the Oil for Food scandal? They also supplied Hussein with more weapons than all of the EU countries combined. We have real allies in the EU, but we have no ally in Russia.

[JeffersonRepublic.com]

“Wonder how fast France and Germany will scurry back into our arms now and remind us of our NATO commitment?”

France and Germany have done all they can to dismantle NATO, now they will have to live with the consequences. France has openly admitted that they are going to lead the world in stopping US influence, so I see NO point in supporting them over Russia.

"I am deeply convinced that [the EU] has absolutely no moral right to push this large European country into mass-scale unrest of any sort," Mr. Putin said. I’m with you Putin tell these Euro-weenies to get lost.

[GSlob]

"The US has to back the Russians, unfortunately."
Why? They richly deserve one another, and could be left stewing in their own juices. If anything, their squabbling and [hoped for] mutual weakening could be in our best interests. The only point to observe would be to keep EU economical and technological infrastructure out of Russian hands, until that infrastructure becomes obsolete by 50 years.

[Lukasz]

The French led EU

Forget about French and German axis leading the EU. That is history. Now they cannot do it, simply because they don’t have enough votes. With Romania and Bulgaria joining in 2007, their influences will be even smaller. Beside that it is some kind of joke calling France seriously as an enemy.

The Russians at least we can bargain with.

You can bargain even with North Korea if you have good arguments.