The uproar over European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker’s plan to visit Russia and meet President Vladimir Putin reflects the reality of relations between the 28-nation bloc and Moscow. On a day European Union President Donald Tusk spoke against unrealistic assumptions about a supra-state in Europe, Juncker was swamped by criticism about the impending rendezvous with Putin who is seen by the West as a leader given to aggression and geopolitical conflicts.
European Union imposed heavy sanctions on Russia after Putin’s adventurism in former Soviet Republic Ukraine led to the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula by Moscow. The annexation, which came after a revolt in Ukraine threw out the pro-Russia president, touched a raw nerve across the Western hemisphere in which several nations see Moscow as an adversary. The Russian government has stood by its stance of purported righteousness, saying that Crimea historically belonged to Russia and should stay with it. Juncker has called for a “practical relationship” with Moscow and last year suggested closer business ties to the Russian leader.
Russia’s estranged former Soviet Republics to the north, better known as the Baltic states, have come out against the planned visit. Moscow’s fraught ties with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have resulted from the Kremlin’s aggressive policy against the small nations who have been living in constant fear of the Russian military. Fighter jets belonging to Russia have been known to fly precariously close to the air space of the Baltic states in an attempt to intimidate them. Hard as it has always been with Russia to accept the reality of a post-Soviet global order, Moscow tries to throw around its weight in the region often described as the ‘Russian sphere of influence’.
The reaction to Juncker’s planned visit doesn’t come as a surprise but puts into perspective the failure of the West and Kremlin to come to terms with a new reality. The Western powers have been hobbled by their wobbly economies, sharply turning political tides and other new socio-economic realities. It is hard for them to close ranks against a Russia where Putin still commands popularity. Though the Russian economy has been hit by low oil prices and a falling rouble, Putin’s hubris hasn’t withered.
Juncker, who is going to Russia to attend a conference shouldn’t be discouraged from meeting the Russian leader. As in politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies in diplomacy. Despite differences that have showed up in sanctions and strained relations, the path of talks shouldn’t be abandoned.
The uproar over European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker’s plan to visit Russia and meet President Vladimir Putin reflects the reality of relations between the 28-nation bloc and Moscow. On a day European Union President Donald Tusk spoke against unrealistic assumptions about a supra-state in Europe, Juncker was swamped by criticism about the impending rendezvous with Putin who is seen by the West as a leader given to aggression and geopolitical conflicts.
European Union imposed heavy sanctions on Russia after Putin’s adventurism in former Soviet Republic Ukraine led to the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula by Moscow. The annexation, which came after a revolt in Ukraine threw out the pro-Russia president, touched a raw nerve across the Western hemisphere in which several nations see Moscow as an adversary. The Russian government has stood by its stance of purported righteousness, saying that Crimea historically belonged to Russia and should stay with it. Juncker has called for a “practical relationship” with Moscow and last year suggested closer business ties to the Russian leader.
Russia’s estranged former Soviet Republics to the north, better known as the Baltic states, have come out against the planned visit. Moscow’s fraught ties with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have resulted from the Kremlin’s aggressive policy against the small nations who have been living in constant fear of the Russian military. Fighter jets belonging to Russia have been known to fly precariously close to the air space of the Baltic states in an attempt to intimidate them. Hard as it has always been with Russia to accept the reality of a post-Soviet global order, Moscow tries to throw around its weight in the region often described as the ‘Russian sphere of influence’.
The reaction to Juncker’s planned visit doesn’t come as a surprise but puts into perspective the failure of the West and Kremlin to come to terms with a new reality. The Western powers have been hobbled by their wobbly economies, sharply turning political tides and other new socio-economic realities. It is hard for them to close ranks against a Russia where Putin still commands popularity. Though the Russian economy has been hit by low oil prices and a falling rouble, Putin’s hubris hasn’t withered.
Juncker, who is going to Russia to attend a conference shouldn’t be discouraged from meeting the Russian leader. As in politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies in diplomacy. Despite differences that have showed up in sanctions and strained relations, the path of talks shouldn’t be abandoned.
