Perhaps the most eye catching story from this week’s meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in Astana . An unflattering geostrategic analogy from Dmitry Rogozin, Russia’s ambassador to NATO, and a swift defense of NATO’s honor by Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. If Medvedev followed Rogozin’s advice, Moscow would have a more success offering pies to the former Soviet Republics instead of tanks, cyber attacks, and energy shortages.

From Russia Today: The Russian diplomat gave a very vivid description of how he sees relations between NATO, Russia and former soviet republics, in particular Kazakhstan:
“It may happen that a loyal wife is courted by some men, who give her flowers. NATO is courting Kazakhstan.”
“You can’t compare our relation, a family relation, with that with some stranger coming to your hope with pie and trying to make you like him,” Rogozin said.

The comments made at the sidelines of the forum didn’t impress NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. When cited Rogozin’s words, he said he didn’t agree at all.
“I would express my disagreement with Mr. Rogozin, if he did make these statements. I don’t see NATO as anyone’s lover. We have a political role of our own,” the official said. (graphic: Vladimir Kremlev RT)

Eurasianet has more on this story.