EU Split Deepens Over Possible Dialogue With Russia
EU divisions over possible dialogue with Russia are widening as member states clash over contacts with Moscow and the risk of confrontation grows.
Divisions inside the European Union are sharpening over the possibility of renewed dialogue with Russia. Several member states have openly signaled that they do not want to negotiate with Moscow, European Parliament member Fernand Kartheiser told Izvestia.
According to Kartheiser, the countries taking the hardest line are mainly the Baltic states and Poland, with Germany and several others now moving in the same direction. He said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has adopted a similar position.
The bloc, however, is far from united on the issue. Kartheiser noted that other EU countries are showing a more flexible approach, naming Belgium, Slovakia, Austria and Luxembourg, as well as France and Italy in some cases.
As a result, EU members have been unable to reach consensus on contacts with Moscow. Kartheiser warned that if the split drags on, internal tensions within the bloc could grow significantly. In his view, the risk of direct confrontation with Russia is continuing to rise, while more moderate countries would prefer not to be drawn into such a scenario.
The question of restoring contacts with Russia is being discussed more actively across Europe. Until recently, even raising the idea of dialogue was widely seen as a political taboo. Now, according to The European Conservative, the issue is coming up at ministerial meetings, in diplomatic circles and within EU representations.