EU must re-shape its relationship with Russia - Hoofdinhoud
The European Parliament voted today a report on the state of relations between EU and Russia, who is no longer considered a strategic partner, after failing to respect international law in the cases of Ukraine and Georgia.
MEP Hans van Baalen (VVD, The Netherlands), ALDE spokesman on Russia and Ukraine, stated during the plenary debate on the EU-Russia report that the Kremlin must return to international law:
"It can’t be business as usual anymore. Putin must stop his military involvement in Eastern Ukraine and must give Crimea back to Ukraine. The EU should be tough on Putin, but must reach out to the Russian civil society.”
"This blacklist is a list of honour. I feel proud to be on this list together with colleagues who stand firm for Ukraine and against Putin's aggression."
"There is no quick fix. We should be prepared to endure the consequences for years to come. Putin, however, will not win. His Achilles heel is the structural weakness of the Russian economy. Western resolve and the poor state of the Soviet economy brought down the Soviet Union. The same will be the case with Putin's Russia."
ALDE Group Vice-President, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS (Liberal's Movement of Lithuania), compared the situation in Russia with the times of Cold War:
“Old Bolshevik methods are well tested through external aggression and "foreign enemies", internal suppression and isolation of the Russian society from the West. We, the democratic world, have learnt our lessons from the Cold War. These are the following: a united and solid EU, strong trans-Atlantic partnership, full solidarity with those who cherish our values. Also the fat that we will deal with political bribing such as the case of Madam Le Pen's party."
The report mentions the growing atmosphere of hatred directed against opposition activists, human rights defenders, minorities and neighbouring nations, and the deterioration in the situation of human rights and rule of law in Russia. The European Parliament also condemns the intimidation of critical voices through violence, trials, imprisonments and other measures used by the state.