The EU sent a letter to Vladimir Putin expressing concern for Russian behaviour. Perhaps across Europe is still not clear a point of non return was marked
Opinion
The president of the European Commission, Josè Manuel Barroso, sent a letter to the president of the Russian federation, Vladimir Putin. Nothing special and, given the situation, a good new: that means there is still a glimmer for dialogue. In Ukraine the situation is turning from bad to worse, and having a Russian partner ready to act in order to find a solution is crucial. The point is Russia is not giving the impression to want the situation stop. On the contrary, it seems for Moscow the right moment to re-define its borders has come. First was Crimea to be annexed by Russia, then the eastern part of Ukraine could soon follow. Russian speaking minorities are there, and Russia is already claiming for them. Saying «it is clear that if situation in Ukraine grows in a massive bloodshed, there will be nothing to discuss with so-called acting Ukrainian foreign minister», the Russian Permanent Representative in EU, Vladimir Chizhov, said Russia will not accept any violence against Russians in Ukraine and so Russia is ready take their defence. Barroso wrote Putin Europe is ready to have talks, but at the same the president of the European Commission expressed regretted deeply concern» for Russian unilateral decision not to apply the 2010 Kharkov agreement. In writing that Barroso showed how the European Union and Europeans are not aware about the current situation (by the way: you can find the letter here ).
The Kharkov pact was a treaty signed between Ukraine and Russia whereby the Sevastopol naval base use - supposed to expire in 2017 - would be extended by 25 years (and so until 2042) with an additional 5 year renewal option (to 2047) in exchange for a multi-annual discounted contract to provide Ukraine with Russian natural gas. Now, Sevastopol is located in the south-western region of the Crimean peninsula and this contract had a legal value until Crimea was part of Ukraine. Here we are: Crimea is not part of Ukraine any more, since the self-proclamation of independence and subsequent annexation to Russia. Due to the new situation respecting the 2010 Kharkov agreement has become something that doesn't make sense. Barroso - and all the European leader with him, since he sent the letter on the behalf of the twenty eight - gave the impression he doesn't understand yet that territorial integrity of Ukraine is over as well as former ties are no more. Russian attitude over Ukraine changed and Europeans didn't understand it. Moscow doesn't consider the current government as the legal one, and never liked EU interference in Ukrainian affairs. Russian counterparts are not ready to really solve the conflict, and it is surprising to see how Europeans are surprised. Europe lacked of realistic vision, and that's it. Now the only thing Europeans can do is to hope situation is not going to know further deterioration.
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| Josè Manuel Barroso |
The president of the European Commission, Josè Manuel Barroso, sent a letter to the president of the Russian federation, Vladimir Putin. Nothing special and, given the situation, a good new: that means there is still a glimmer for dialogue. In Ukraine the situation is turning from bad to worse, and having a Russian partner ready to act in order to find a solution is crucial. The point is Russia is not giving the impression to want the situation stop. On the contrary, it seems for Moscow the right moment to re-define its borders has come. First was Crimea to be annexed by Russia, then the eastern part of Ukraine could soon follow. Russian speaking minorities are there, and Russia is already claiming for them. Saying «it is clear that if situation in Ukraine grows in a massive bloodshed, there will be nothing to discuss with so-called acting Ukrainian foreign minister», the Russian Permanent Representative in EU, Vladimir Chizhov, said Russia will not accept any violence against Russians in Ukraine and so Russia is ready take their defence. Barroso wrote Putin Europe is ready to have talks, but at the same the president of the European Commission expressed regretted deeply concern» for Russian unilateral decision not to apply the 2010 Kharkov agreement. In writing that Barroso showed how the European Union and Europeans are not aware about the current situation (by the way: you can find the letter here ).
The Kharkov pact was a treaty signed between Ukraine and Russia whereby the Sevastopol naval base use - supposed to expire in 2017 - would be extended by 25 years (and so until 2042) with an additional 5 year renewal option (to 2047) in exchange for a multi-annual discounted contract to provide Ukraine with Russian natural gas. Now, Sevastopol is located in the south-western region of the Crimean peninsula and this contract had a legal value until Crimea was part of Ukraine. Here we are: Crimea is not part of Ukraine any more, since the self-proclamation of independence and subsequent annexation to Russia. Due to the new situation respecting the 2010 Kharkov agreement has become something that doesn't make sense. Barroso - and all the European leader with him, since he sent the letter on the behalf of the twenty eight - gave the impression he doesn't understand yet that territorial integrity of Ukraine is over as well as former ties are no more. Russian attitude over Ukraine changed and Europeans didn't understand it. Moscow doesn't consider the current government as the legal one, and never liked EU interference in Ukrainian affairs. Russian counterparts are not ready to really solve the conflict, and it is surprising to see how Europeans are surprised. Europe lacked of realistic vision, and that's it. Now the only thing Europeans can do is to hope situation is not going to know further deterioration.
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