MEP comments on EU's dysfunctional response to Russian aggression
14 August 2008
Statement by Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister:-
“With the French President quoted as saying Russia’s aggression in Georgia was “perfectly normal”, while the former eastern block EU members, who know Russia of old, have robustly condemned the Kremlin, it is evident that the EU is divided on how to face this crisis.
It is clear to me that self-interest is driving the response of many of the big players in Europe. Germany in particular sees Russia as a strategic economic partner and it and Italy are both constructing major natural gas pipelines with Russia - the South Stream and North Stream projects. Hence their “softly softly” approach to Russia’s aggression in the Caucasus.
This feeble and disjointed response from Europe will only encourage Russia to further expeditions of aggression. The speed and orchestrated manner in which Russia asserted its military muscle carries worrying signs of Kremlin desire to return to Soviet hegemony. The muted western response, compounded by ambivalence from Europe, must be a source of great encouragement to Putin, who still seems to be the real leader of Russia.”
