1218 Ch. 29 • Democracy and the Collapse of Communismstates, as well as Russian apprehension that Georgia, as well as Ukraine,
both bordering states, might be invited to join NATO.
In January 2009, benefiting from considerable riches in energy, Russia
seemed to flex its muscles by cutting off the supply of natural gas to Ukraine
after a bitter dispute over prices. The shutdown had the immediate effect
of leaving many countries in eastern and southern Europe without much
heat during a very cold winter until the dispute was resolved.
Conclusion
The Western European nations failed to act effectively to resolve the Bos
nian crisis, but the cooperation between states in the former Soviet bloc and
the West is reassuring. Russia and the United States signed an arms treaty
in 2002 and have cooperated in space ventures, notably a space station.
Freed from Communist rule, some of the Eastern European states lob
bied to join NATO. In 1997, NATO announced that it would expand its
membership to include eventually Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hun
gary, hoping that the adherence of former Communist states would help
consolidate democracy. Furthermore, it was also announced that a Perma
nent Joint Council in Brussels would bring together NATO members and
Russia to consider joint actions, including arms control and peacekeeping.
This is a remarkable turnabout, as NATO, which now includes twenty-six
nations, had been originally established with the goal of containing the
Soviet Union. This, too, has been a sign of new times.