"We are losing on all fronts, we must end the conflict in Europe's interest. Europe had to rearm and at the same time we must normalise relations with Russia and regain access to cheap energy. It is common sense. In private European leaders tell me I am right, but no one dares say it out loud."
"Russia refuses to allow European participation at the negotiating table. It is sticking to maximalist demands. As long as this lasts, speaking of normalisation will be perceived as a sign of weakness that will sap European unity, which we need more than ever."
"We know their demands coming back from 21. And that will be not only related to Ukraine, that will be related also to us and to the deployment of the forces and many other things. So we have to collect our strength."
Belgium's Prime Minister Bart De Wever called for normalizing EU-Russia relations to regain access to cheap energy and end the conflict in Europe's interest. He argued Europe must rearm while simultaneously restoring ties with Russia, claiming private conversations with European leaders support this position. Belgium's Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot immediately distanced himself, warning that normalizing relations while Russia maintains maximalist demands would weaken European unity and signal weakness to Putin. Lithuania's Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys referenced Russia's 2021 demands that included NATO removing troops from Eastern European countries, emphasizing the broader geopolitical stakes beyond Ukraine.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]