... absolutely wrong to link the internal conflict in Ukraine with EU – Russia relations. Russia had worked constructively on the Minsk Agreements, as had Germany and France. But once they were signed, unilateral measures against my country were further toughened.... ... NATO’s lap, thereby extending a lease of life for the Alliance.
Source:
Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the European Union
... unrest.
South Tyrol successfully consolidated its autonomy over the last decades, fostering ties between the central state authority and the peripheral regional authority. Now, the German-speakers there live peacefully within Italy as citizens of the European Union.
This integration-through-decentralization process into the Italian national identity shows how a widely shared process and agreement recognizing a high level of institutional autonomy would lead, in the medium-to-long term perspective,...
... previously seen by generations of Russians as a mentor and model, is now seen essentially as a neighbor. It is respected as the principal trading partner, and a prime source of technology and investment. Yet despite being an economic powerhouse, the European Union is dismissed by Russians as a geopolitical and strategic player. When it comes to world politics or geostrategy, Russians see Europe as a follower—mostly willing, though sometimes reluctant—of the United States. The Europeans’ recent ...
... working within the pro-Western paradigm and lead the country towards collaboration with international financial bodies, the European Union and NATO. Russia–Ukraine relations will largely depend on the general trends in U.S.–Russia relations, and ... ... the self-proclaimed republics would be out of the question. This can be interpreted as a step towards non-compliance with the Minsk agreements. Additionally, since Ukraine is a parliamentary-presidential republic, and since V. Zelensky does not have his ...
... restore a normalized dialogue with Russia? How should such a dialogue tackle the case of Ukraine?
Andrey Kortunov
Europe could potentially play a significant role in the resolution of the crisis with Ukraine, more so than the US, which is not part of the Minsk agreements. The Ukraine issue is primarily European, which means that Europe can and should be involved in its resolution. This might require a more active engagement from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), a consultation ...
... regions in the country not all of which are under full control of the central authorities. Suffice it to mention the clashes in
Мukachevo
in the west or the “Amber People’s Republic” in the north-west of the country. Apparently the European Union is aware that the Kiev authorities have little wiggle room and that is why criticism of Russia over the implementation of the Minsk agreements is muted. Bringing pressure on Moscow is futile and even dangerous considering that the ball is in the court of the Kiev authorities.
Today it is important to determine how the EU (or at least its Franco-German nucleus), Russia and the ...
... between the two sides. In response, the Ukrainian authorities will launch its anti-terrorist operation.
With its informational capabilities and diplomatic contacts, Russia will attempt to convince Europe that it was the Ukrainian side that broke the Minsk agreements. What is more, Moscow will try to further fragment Europe politically by emphasizing cooperation with individual states rather than with the European Union as a whole. Nationalist Eurosceptic parties will play a crucial role in “undermining” the European Union, maintaining close ties with the Kremlin. Moscow will attempt to lobby for the construction of a Nord Stream 2 that would ...
