EU Diplomacy Chief Reveals Divisions Over Russia Policy

Josep Borrell, the European Union's diplomacy chief, has exposed significant divisions among EU member states regarding their policy towards Russia. In a recent statement, Borrell acknowledged that some countries within the bloc consider Russia a "good friend," highlighting the lack of a unified stance on the issue.

Why this matters: The lack of unity among EU countries on Russia policy has far-reaching implications for European security and the bloc's ability to respond to global crises. A divided EU risks undermining its credibility and influence on the world stage, potentially emboldening Russia to pursue further aggressive actions.

The revelation comes amidst escalating tensions between the EU and Russia, amidst internal disagreements within the bloc over its approach to dealing with Moscow. The EU has criticized Russia's actions in Ukraine and imposed sanctions on the country. However, some member states, such as Germany, have been more cautious in their approach, citingeconomic ties.

The lack of unity on Russia policy has been a contentious issue within the EU, with some countries advocating for a tougher stance while others push for a more diplomatic approach. This division has made it difficult for the EU to present a united front in its dealings with Moscow.

The EU's response to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine has been a major point of contention. Although the bloc has taken surprisingly strong actions to punish Russia, despite the costs to EU member states, cracks in the EU's unity have since emerged. Borrell stated, "It has been difficult to paper over them."

The EU has approved 13 sanctions packages against Russia, targeting hundreds of individuals and entities with visa bans and asset freezes. It has also banned exports of military equipment to Russia and blocked the import of goods essential to the Russian economy, including oil, coal, steel, gold, and diamonds.

However, some prospective EU membership candidates, such as Georgia, Serbia, and Turkey, have not implemented sanctions, indicating that their acceptance of the EUacquis politiqueis incomplete. This further highlights the challenges the EU faces in maintaining a cohesive stance on Russia.

Despite these divisions, the EU has shown generosity towards refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, suspending all customs duties on imports from the country. The EU and its member states have committed substantial sums to Ukraine, over €140 billion in macro-financial aid, humanitarian aid, budget support, and military aid.

However, there is considerable variation in the support provided, with northern member states giving significantly more in volume and/or as a percentage of gross domestic product compared to southern member states and France. This disparity in support further highlights the lack of unity among EU countries on their approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The EU's decision to open membership negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova is perhaps the most far-reaching geopolitical and strategic response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This move is likely to have the most significant long-term impact on European security, as it offers these countries a path to EU membership and closer ties with the West.

The EU's complex relationship with Russia underscores Borrell's statement, which highlights the challenges the bloc faces in presenting a united front. The lack of unity among member states on Russia policy threatens to undermine the EU's efforts to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its broader strategic interests in the region. Moving forward, the EU will need to work towards finding common ground among its member states on their approach to Russia, requiring careful diplomacy to balance the diverse interests and concerns of individual countries while maintaining a principled stance in defense of international law andEuropean values.

Key Takeaways

• EU's diplomacy chief Josep Borrell reveals divisions among member states on Russia policy.
• Lack of unity undermines EU's credibility and influence on global stage.
• Some EU countries consider Russia a "good friend", while others push for sanctions.
• EU's response to Russia's Ukraine invasion has been strong, but cracks in unity have emerged.
• EU must find common ground among member states to maintain a principled stance on Russia.