Russia's hostile disapproval of the EU's Eastern Partnership initiative is surprising for many reasons, notes a new study from German Institute for International and Security Affairs by Susan Stewart. First of all, this is just a continuation of the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP), which Russia has never had a problem with in the past. Secondly, the economic crisis is going to prevent any dramatic integration over the short term. And lastly, Stewart notes, the EU proceeds in such policies in incremental and slow steps.
Another way of putting it is that Russia has nothing to worry about because the Eastern Partnership, like most major policy packages coming out of Brussels, isn't going to accomplish anything serious.
The report points to Russian anger toward the slightly de-thawing relations between Belarus and Europe, as well as recommendations made on the modernization of Ukraine's energy transport network. Stewart writes that Russia is so angry over the Eastern Partnership precisely because it was initiated right at a time when Moscow's "economic and foreign policy weaknesses were all too apparent." The author also worries that incorporating Russia on a project basis won't fundamentally solve the main problems, but rather a change in Russian thinking on foreign policy is needed.
the main objective of the EU's eastern partneship treaty is to create more nations hostile to Russia. Its apparent that the U.S. and its puppets are taking advantage of the situation in a time when Russia is still recovering its strength. such a bunch of cowards.
It is not true that the EU is attempting to create more nations hostile to Russia. That is a convenient rationalization.
These cowards, as you call them, are not "taking advantage" of a weak Russia, they are attempting to foster stability and trade with neighboring sovereign states, which are free to make all their own choices about who they partner with.
You make it sounds as though when Russia is strong again it will attack or something like that, and recreate some sort of rightful new Soviet Union. Ridiculous and bellicose.
how do you define a state "which is free to choose their own partner"? Like when you sponsor a color revolution in some country and install a regime loyal to someone's interests? The majority of Ukraine's population favors a closer relationship with Russia while its puppet government prefers to drag their country towards the west. Who do you think should have the authority to decide one country's fate? its Government or its People?
Both, Junichiro. The people put the government in power to run the foreign relations for them, and it changes the government later on if the results aren't satisfactory.
The "bunch of cowards" you mention is trying to work on an area that, after all, is also the EU border. As you know, Ukraine borders on the EU too, not only on Russia. Why should Russia have "more rights" to a relationship with Ukraine (or Belarus, or Moldova...) than the EU? Aren't both of them neighbors?
Have a look at the latest pools; your conclusions about the will of the Ukrainian population are exaggerated. Still: don't you think it's up to the Ukrainians to decide who they will or won't establish relations with? If they don't want the EU, the EU won't come. Russia doesn't have to do anything about that.
"Paying for color revolutions?" How about Russia's sponsorship for Yanukovich's "Party of Regions"... At least the European influence went towards more democracy.
But they dont want the EU. Its their puppet government that wants them to the EU. Ukraine had been under Russia's Influence and even been part of it even before the US was founded. So there is a country who has more rights in Ukraine, its Russia. And this legitimate interest also applies to all former soviet republics which were once part of the Russian Empire. Another fact, America hates Russia so much because its the only country in the world that can stand up to its imperialist ambitions, and one of the very few who can obliterate their cities.
Russia's "rights" to control Ukraine? That's some pretty extremist stuff, Juni. I think with some luck I could set you up on a date with RKKA...