Reuters
Under the above heading, Givorg Mirzayan wrote in “Vzgliad” about what the head of European diplomacy or someone else had done to thwart his mission in Russia.
The article stated: Nakba. humiliation. Disappointment … etc. These are words used by Western commentators in speaking about the results of the visit of the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, to Russia.
Now, the European Union will decide “what to do next.” On the 22nd of February, it seems, at the meeting of the foreign ministers of the European Union member states, new personal sanctions will be approved against Russian officials over the Navalny case.
If we look at what happened with a sober eye, we find that the visit was foiled from the start, but not by Moscow, but by Europe and by Mr. Borrell personally.
The first thing Borrell did after arriving in Moscow was to meet with Russian human rights activists. He had the right to do so, and nothing provocative in what he did. But, what after Borrell wrote that “the European Union is the one that sponsors and will remain the greatest sponsor of civil society projects” in Russia? That is, he made it clear to Moscow that the European Union would continue to interfere in its internal affairs, including by sponsoring opponents of the Russian government.
Not surprisingly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, at the press conference with Borrell, indicated that such measures are not in order and described the European Union as an unreliable partner.
Thus, to prevent the total failure of Borel’s visit, Russia and the European Union need a complete re-evaluation of bilateral relations. In this regard, the director of the Russian Carnegie Center, Dmitry Trenin, proposes a formula consisting of four simple points: “First, treat each other as neighbors, according to the principle of“ live and let live ”. Do not try to force or subjugate the other; second, respect the differences that will Third, cooperation in the areas required by the interests of both parties continues; fourth, work on good-neighborly relations.
This formula is completely consistent with the principles that the Kremlin proposes for Europe. The question remains as to whether the European Union will agree to this?
The article expresses only the opinion of the newspaper or writer
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