The USSR and Security in Europe: A Soviet View

During the Soviet-American summit meetings of 1972 and 1973, the two governments expressed their desire to contribute to the reinforcement of peace in Europe. Behind this sentiment—which at first sight may seem to be a stereotyped diplomatic formula, as presented in the concluding communiques of both summits—lies a turning point of great historic significance. For the first time in the twenty-seven years of the postwar period of international relations the Soviet Union and the United States agreed on the possibility of, and need for, joint efforts in building a stable European peace. Such agreement would have been inconceivable in the not too distant past, when the Cold War completely held sway. Having crossed this line, the two countries cannot but be aware of the responsibility stem ming from their actions. Any retreat would not only tell negatively on the fundamental interests of the two nations, but would also darken the prospects for an all-European settlement. The normalization process of Soviet-American relations affects many problems of a global and local nature, including those which have no direct connection with Europe. However, the Soviet Union proceeds from the firm belief—confirmed by the harsh lessons of recent history—that the ensurance of lasting security and peaceful cooperation among European countries with different social systems is the core of detente. Europe was the scene of the most bitter and destructive wars ever known to humankind; it is this same Europe which can now emerge as an example of the success of peaceful coexistence.