Cooperation or Confrontation?
Relations with Russia and the situation inside Russia are important topics in European newspapers. Here is a selection of commentaries and reflections on events in 2007.
Relations between the EU and Russia
Main focus of Friday, 15. February 2008
In his last big press conference as Russian head of state, Vladimir Putin had harsh words for Europe. He warned against installing a missile shield ... » more
In his last big press conference as Russian head of state, Vladimir Putin had harsh words for Europe. He warned against installing a missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic and recognising Kosovo. At the same time he made clear his intention to stay in power following an election victory for his candidate Dmitri Medvedev in the presidential elections on 2 March.
More from the press review on the subject » EU enlargement, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Domestic Policy, » Russia, » Europe
Main focus of Wednesday, 11. April 2007
In certain new EU Member States, relations with Moscow are very difficult because of historical conflicts inherited from the 20th century. The implications of this ... » more
In certain new EU Member States, relations with Moscow are very difficult because of historical conflicts inherited from the 20th century. The implications of this can be very big, as is apparent in the case of Estonia facing a Russian boycott of its exports.
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » History, » Russia, » Central Europe, » Eastern Europe
All available articles from » Jean-Louis Schlegel
Main focus of Wednesday, 16. May 2007
It seems unlikely that the EU-Russia summit, which begins on Thursday, May 17th, in Samara, will bring positive results. There are numerous ongoing conflicts between Russia and ... » more
It seems unlikely that the EU-Russia summit, which begins on Thursday, May 17th, in Samara, will bring positive results. There are numerous ongoing conflicts between Russia and Eastern European EU member states. Meanwhile, the West European states hope for cooperation with their neighbour in the East. Will the newly enlarged EU be able to reach a consensus regarding its policy towards Russia?
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU enlargement, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » EU Policy, » Russia, » Europe
Main focus of Thursday, 10. May 2007
In Russia, May 9, the "Day of Victory" over National Socialism is traditionally marked with a massive military parade. Vladimir Putin has used the commemorative ... » more
In Russia, May 9, the "Day of Victory" over National Socialism is traditionally marked with a massive military parade. Vladimir Putin has used the commemorative ceremony to at once commemorate Russian history, and to demonstrate national power in view of current conflicts. In the run-up to the EU-Russia summit meeting in Samara, European newspapers criticise Russia's politicisation of history.
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » History, » Russia, » Eastern Europe
All available articles from » Ferran Adrià, » Lothar Schmidt
The Times - United Kingdom | Tuesday, 5. February 2008
Edward Lucas, Central and Eastern Europe correspondent for 'The Economist', warns that "the West must stand up to the Kremlin now. ... Russia plays divide ... » more
Edward Lucas, Central and Eastern Europe correspondent for 'The Economist', warns that "the West must stand up to the Kremlin now. ... Russia plays divide and rule with the West, ruthlessly using our democratic politics and open economies to undermine us. ... Russia has cowed and muzzled the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), supposedly the Continent's main democracy-promoting and election-monitoring body. It has nobbled the Council of Europe, a talking shop that is supposed to be the custodian of human rights. ... At its summit in Bucharest in April, Nato's European members are all set to kowtow to Kremlin pressure and give a cold shoulder to Georgia's bid to move towards membership. The EU can not even summon the willpower to liberalise its internal energy markets, let alone counter the Kremlin's ruthless use of cheap energy deals and lucrative pipelines. Our biggest weakness is money."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Domestic Policy, » Russia
All available articles from » Edward Lucas
Heti Világgazdaság - Hungary | Thursday, 24. January 2008
'Echo Moskvy' is considered the last oppositional radio broadcaster in Russia. Editor in chief Alexey Venediktov tells Hungary's Russia correspondent András Németh who's responsible for the current chill between the West and Russia: » more
'Echo Moskvy' is considered the last oppositional radio broadcaster in Russia. Editor in chief Alexey Venediktov tells Hungary's Russia correspondent András Németh who's responsible for the current chill between the West and Russia: "The West did not recognize the transition between the eras of Yeltsin and Putin, and looked away as the current president enforced order upon Chechnya. Exaggerated politeness toward Moscow is a big mistake, because the Russian elite considers this attitude a sign of weakness. You have to deal with Russia fairly but decisively. Putin and the Russian elite would like to remain members of the G8. So they should have to play by the rules in this club of major powers. If everyone in this club wears green sports jackets with yellow buttons, anyone who wears a blue sports jacket has to find another club. It seems to me that the west has too long allowed Putin to show up dressed inappropriately."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Russia, » Europe
All available articles from » András Németh, » Alexej Wenediktow
The Irish Times - Ireland | Tuesday, 22. January 2008
On January 21st, Polish and Russian foreign ministers Radek Sikorski and Sergei Lavrov met in Moscow. The daily comments. "Poland is to lift its veto ... » more
On January 21st, Polish and Russian foreign ministers Radek Sikorski and Sergei Lavrov met in Moscow. The daily comments. "Poland is to lift its veto on Russia's talks with the European Union over a new partnership agreement between them, following Russia's decision to lift an embargo on Polish food imports. ... This visit therefore flags an important shift of position on this important diplomatic axis, which will have implications for other Europeans. The EU badly needs to reach a more comprehensive agreement with Russia, notably on energy, trade and economic relations, all of which affect political relations. There are many contentious issues on this agenda (such as the row over the British Council in Russia), just as there are in the Polish-Russian one. In both cases energy looms large, as the Poles still bitterly resent the Russian-German pipeline being built in the Baltic, they say to bypass them. But suddenly a number of these problems look more soluble."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Poland, » Russia
Corriere della Sera - Italy | Tuesday, 4. December 2007
In an interview conducted by Stefano Montefiori, the French philosopher André Glucksmann, who supported Nicolas Sarkozy in his presidential campaign, makes no secret of his ... » more
In an interview conducted by Stefano Montefiori, the French philosopher André Glucksmann, who supported Nicolas Sarkozy in his presidential campaign, makes no secret of his disappointment now that Nicolas Sarkozy has congratulated Vladimir Putin for winning the legislative elections with his United Russia Party on December 2nd. "Putin stopped at nothing [during his campaign] not because he is omnipotent, but on the contrary because he is living in panic. Only the western heads of state have failed to see this, even Sarkozy. There are two reasons for this panic. Putin has yet to get over the trauma of the Orange revolution in Ukraine, which for him represents the heart of the country. ... He has not managed to stabilise Russia. ... Europe should form a common energy policy and present a united front to the Kremlin. But on the contrary, all the European leaders are racing to Moscow, trying to beat one another there.”
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » France, » Russia, » Europe
All available articles from » André Glucksmann, » Stefano Montefiori
Cyprus Mail - Cyprus | Friday, 23. November 2007
Mark Leonard, executive director of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), and associate researcher Nicu Popescu analyse the political strategy of Russian president Vladimir ... » more
Mark Leonard, executive director of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), and associate researcher Nicu Popescu analyse the political strategy of Russian president Vladimir Putin in a piece on website Project Syndicate. "In the 1990's, EU members found it easy to agree on a common approach to Russia. They coalesced around a strategy of democratizing and westernizing a weak and indebted Russia. That policy is now in tatters. Soaring oil and gas prices have made Russia more powerful, less co-operative, and less interested in joining the West. Today, Europeans cannot even agree on the nature of the Russian regime, let alone what policy to adopt towards it. ... So long as the EU continues to sway between integration and containment, it will continue to appear to the Kremlin as weak and directionless. That, in turn, will merely encourage Russia to become even more assertive."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Russia, » Europe
All available articles from » Mark Leonard, » Nicu Popescu
Postimees - Estonia | Monday, 29. October 2007
According to the Estonian daily last Friday's EU-Russia summit in Mafra, Portugal, was a sorry affair. "Even before the summit many EU politicians well-versed in ... » more
According to the Estonian daily last Friday's EU-Russia summit in Mafra, Portugal, was a sorry affair. "Even before the summit many EU politicians well-versed in foreign policy had warned that there could be no breakthrough before Russia's parliamentary elections in December. Portugal [which currently holds the rotating EU presidency] ignored these warnings and even rejected an initiative headed by EU parliamentarians aimed at passing a resolution condemning Russia for human rights abuses. The EU adopted an extremely reserved stance on Friday and steered clear of all conflict. ... To avoid a repeat of this summit the EU must learn to play by the same rules as the Kremlin. Estonia and a few other countries already know these rules."
» full article (external link, Estonian)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU Policy, » Portugal, » Russia, » Europe
Dnevnik - Bulgaria | Wednesday, 22. August 2007
Ivan Krastev directs the Centre for Liberal Strategies in Sofia and is chief editor of the Bulgarian edition of Foreign Policy. His article appeared in the Russian daily 'Vedomosti' before it was published in Bulgarian. The author analyses the interaction between Russia and Europe: » more
Ivan Krastev directs the Centre for Liberal Strategies in Sofia and is chief editor of the Bulgarian edition of Foreign Policy. His article appeared in the Russian daily 'Vedomosti' before it was published in Bulgarian. The author analyses the interaction between Russia and Europe: "Moscow is hoping that nationalism and a stronger sense of national identity will emerge in certain EU member states. It expects the EU to collapse in the same way the Soviet Union did in the early 1990s. From Moscow's point of view, the European Union is a follow-on utopia of limited duration. ... Cooperation between European political post-modernism and Russia's sovereign democracy could be difficult and even more dangerous than the [relations between] Soviet communism and Western democracy were. Bear this in mind!"
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Russia, » Europe
All available articles from » Ivan Karstev, » Ivan Krastev
Der Standard - Austria | Wednesday, 23. May 2007
For Russian journalist Fyodor Lukyanov the most recent meeting between Russian and EU politicians "marked the end of a mutual experiment". "Basically it raises the valid question: » more
For Russian journalist Fyodor Lukyanov the most recent meeting between Russian and EU politicians "marked the end of a mutual experiment". "Basically it raises the valid question: Why do we need integration projects with the European Union? China will never share 'common values' with the EU, yet Beijing is a major and much sought-after EU economic partner. The secret lies in our psychology. China couldn't care less what Europe or anybody else thinks about it... Although Moscow spurns values for the sake of pragmatics, it still demamds that Europe share its values. This is the essence of the conflict with the new EU member states regarding the interpretation of the past. Russia is appalled that others take a different view of historical events and deliver different moral judgements."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Russia, » Europe
All available articles from » Fjodor Lukjanow
Gazeta Wyborcza - Poland | Monday, 21. May 2007
German Chancellor and current EU President Angela Merkel clashed with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the subject of human rights at the EU-Russia summit which took place on May 17-18 in Samara. Although the summit was not very productive, Leopold Unger welcomes the fact that the EU adopted a hard line against Russia: » more
German Chancellor and current EU President Angela Merkel clashed with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the subject of human rights at the EU-Russia summit which took place on May 17-18 in Samara. Although the summit was not very productive, Leopold Unger welcomes the fact that the EU adopted a hard line against Russia: "In Samara [Putin] was forced to hear what he should have been told very clearly long ago: that the EU will not submit to blackmail. Not only because - as with the three musketeers - solidarity is one of the pillars on which the EU is founded, in matters both great and small, but above all because Russia's blackmail tactics would just go on and on, as recent European history has shown... As [former Polish Foreign Minister] Rotfeld pointed out, Europe needs Russia, but Russia needs Europe even more. Now we must convince Russia of this. It's a question of time and of unity within Europe - true unity."
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More from the press review on the subject » EU enlargement, » Russia
All available articles from » Leopold Unger
La Stampa - Italy | Tuesday, 17. April 2007
"Putin is leaving Europe speechless", complains the journalist Andrea Romano, criticising the disunity displayed by Europeans regarding Russia. "The authoritarian style that Vladimir Putin has ... » more
"Putin is leaving Europe speechless", complains the journalist Andrea Romano, criticising the disunity displayed by Europeans regarding Russia. "The authoritarian style that Vladimir Putin has given to Russian power is once again showing up the great weakness of Europe. This time, however, we are not caught up in the usual lack of a common foreign policy and the habitual lamenting of a European headlong rush forwards. This is a far graver weakness because it comes from the failure of different EU policies that have been applied towards Russia these past ten years. ... If Europe doesn't manage to make itself heard in Russia, Putin's Russia will continue to play a perturbing role in our zone. We would do well to remember this the next time we ostentatiously celebrate the anniversary of the Union."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU Policy, » Russia, » Europe
All available articles from » Andrea Romano
Corriere della Sera - Italy | Wednesday, 10. January 2007
The editorialist Franco Venturini considers the very firm position taken by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel towards Putin on Tuesday, January 9th, when she accused ... » more
The editorialist Franco Venturini considers the very firm position taken by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel towards Putin on Tuesday, January 9th, when she accused him of unilaterally reducing the exportation of petrol to Europe because of the conflict opposing it to Belarus. "'Unacceptable'. Nine days after taking over the rotating EU presidency and twelve days before meeting Putin, Angela Merkel rightly used a very harsh term to condemn the new partial block of energy provided by Russia, now being imposed because the Kremlin is in conflict with Minsk, just as it was with Kiev a little over a year ago. ... If Europeans want to continue developing, they absolutely must be able to count on the regularity of Russian supplying ... . And if Europe does not wake up in time, it will only have nuclear energy left, for everyone".
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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Energy, » Germany, » Russia, » Europe
All available articles from » Franco Venturini
Individual EU member-states
France
Main focus of Wednesday, 10. October 2007
French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived yesterday in Moscow on his first state visit to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The press speculates on whether France has ... » more
French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived yesterday in Moscow on his first state visit to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The press speculates on whether France has adopted a more confrontational policy towards Russia than it pursued under Sarkozy's predecessor Jacques Chirac.
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU Policy, » Energy, » Economic Policy, » France, » Russia, » Europe
All available articles from » Christian Müller
Britain
Main focus of Wednesday, 18. July 2007
Relations between Great Britain and Russia have deteriorated dramatically: » more
Relations between Great Britain and Russia have deteriorated dramatically: Russia has suspended cooperation with British security services after Britain expelled four Russian diplomats. The expulsion came after Russia refused to extradite Andrei Lugovoi, who is suspected of involvement in the murder of Alexander Litvinenko.
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » United Kingdom, » Russia
The Guardian - United Kingdom | Friday, 18. January 2008
The British Council closed its offices in St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg on January 17 after repeated examples of Russian intimidation of its employees. "If anyone ... » more
The British Council closed its offices in St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg on January 17 after repeated examples of Russian intimidation of its employees. "If anyone wants an example of the bankruptcy of conventional diplomacy (on both sides), it is here", writes. Simon Jenkins. ... The British Council ought to be the lead diplomatic department in all but the most politically sensitive countries, and be staffed appropriately. Politics, defence and commerce should be subsidiary activities. In an age of soft power, western democracies will do far better in propagating their values of freedom of speech and expression by the exchange of people and ideas than by the bullying diplomatic rhetoric of the war on terror. They should lead by example. That requires the diplomacy of human and cultural exchange."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Cultural Policy, » United Kingdom, » Russia
All available articles from » Simon Jenkins
Postimees - Estonia | Tuesday, 15. January 2008
In mid-December, Russia ordered Great Britain to close two regional offices of the British Council, in St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. The reason is an alleged ... » more
In mid-December, Russia ordered Great Britain to close two regional offices of the British Council, in St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. The reason is an alleged offence against Russian finance and tax law. So far, Great Britain has refused to comply. The Estonian paper blames it all on politics. "Of course, the British Council is not an independent institution. But its main tasks revolve around culture and education. It is difficult to link this with the current political games. So it seems especially silly that the Kremlin, in testing its mettle against London, has picked out the British Council as its scapegoat. The biggest losers are the Russians themselves, and the schools, colleges and museums that have enjoyed support from the British."
» full article (external link, Estonian)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Cultural Policy, » United Kingdom, » Russia
The Guardian - United Kingdom | Tuesday, 17. July 2007
"It would be tempting to dismiss Britain's decision to expel four Russian diplomats over Moscow's refusal to extradite the main suspect in the murder of ... » more
"It would be tempting to dismiss Britain's decision to expel four Russian diplomats over Moscow's refusal to extradite the main suspect in the murder of Alexander Litvinenko as another diplomatic spat, reminiscent of cold-war tit-for-tat expulsions," writes the daily in an editorial. But, "to imagine that an organisation as powerful in Russia today as the FSB [Russia's Federal Security Service] would let a panel of judges convict a former employee such as [the main suspect Andrei] Lugovoi for the murder of an exile whom most in Russia consider a traitor is just pie in the sky. ... If Russia is seeking to integrate itself ... it has also got to live by the rules that most other European states subject themselves to. Extradition should not be seen as a political instrument. It is reasonable to expect amendments to the Russian constitution that would allow extradition to take place from Russia."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » United Kingdom, » Russia
The Guardian - United Kingdom | Wednesday, 23. May 2007
"The Crown Prosecution Service concluded [Tuesday, May 22nd] that there was sufficient evidence to prosecute the former KGB agent and multimillionaire Andrei Lugovoï for the ... » more
"The Crown Prosecution Service concluded [Tuesday, May 22nd] that there was sufficient evidence to prosecute the former KGB agent and multimillionaire Andrei Lugovoï for the murder of a fellow former agent, turned exile, Alexander Litvinenko," notes the daily. "Moscow yesterday questioned London's certainty. Pointing the finger of blame at the Kremlin, some said, simply added to an organised campaign to discredit Russia as a commercial partner in Europe. ... At best, Britain and Russia are losing faith in each other's legal systems. That is damaging relations between the two countries at a wider level. Yet Scotland Yard have been working with evidence, not conspiracy theories. The poison has been used in Russia in the past, and the Federal Security Service (FSB), the KGB's successor, does not forgive or forget people it regards as traitors. ... like the silvery dust of polonium-210, the affair is powerful enough to poison relations between Moscow and London."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » United Kingdom, » Russia
Germany
Rzeczpospolita - Poland | Tuesday, 16. October 2007
Jerzy Haszczyński comments on the meeting between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Wiesbaden: » more
Jerzy Haszczyński comments on the meeting between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Wiesbaden: "The difference between German-Russian relations during Schröder's time and those under Merkel is not that pronounced - at least as far as the crucial areas of economic policy and energy security are concerned. However, the meetings between the two heads of state take a different form and have a different atmosphere. There are no more visits to respective private residences, no more sleigh-riding and protestations that Putin really is a dedicated democrat. ... But in terms of interests and international politics, the alliance between Berlin and Moscow does assume a threatening aspect. It is a bond between giants who are not about to let the concerns of their smaller neighbours get in their way."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Energy, » Germany, » Poland, » Russia
All available articles from » Jerzy Haszczynski
Życie Warszawy - Poland | Thursday, 15. March 2007
In the run-up to German Chancellor Angela Merkel's two-day visit to Poland, the newspaper's Berlin correspondent, Piotr Cywinski, says the way Merkel deals with Russia ... » more
In the run-up to German Chancellor Angela Merkel's two-day visit to Poland, the newspaper's Berlin correspondent, Piotr Cywinski, says the way Merkel deals with Russia will be the acid test for German-Polish relations. "Merkel insists on keeping up her painstaking balancing act. On the one hand she defends Germany's interests, because the pipeline is a lucrative deal. On the other, she doesn't regard Putin as a 'perfect democrat' and can see what direction things are taking in Russia. Before the elections in 2005 the chancellor announced the snuggling up with Russia would be replaced by objective dialogue and that Poland's interests would be taken into account. Now she has the chance to prove this. The way the energy supply problem is dealt with and Germany's stance in the disputes with Russia, which is constantly trying to play the partners of the Union off against each other, will determine whether there can be a genuine partnership between Germany and Poland."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU enlargement, » Germany, » Poland, » Russia
Italy
La Repubblica - Italy | Thursday, 15. March 2007
When Vladimir Putin visited Italy on March 13th, Italy signed a series of agreements with Russia. Amid much back-patting, human rights and democracy were forgotten, ... » more
When Vladimir Putin visited Italy on March 13th, Italy signed a series of agreements with Russia. Amid much back-patting, human rights and democracy were forgotten, deplores the editorialist Sandro Viola. "Putin is reaping the highest European honours, distributing embraces, 'nudge-nudge-wink-winks' and pats on the shoulder among EU Prime Ministers and Heads of State. ... Because business is business. Energy demands are not mere trifles and we are still more dependent on Russian petrol and gas supplies. So how to speak about the comatose state of Russia's democratic life? And what about the stifling of opposition; the masquerade of a parliament that only functions to approve orders from the big boss and the scandalous situation of a magistracy brazenly manoeuvred by the executive? How to express our disapproval of the incredible measures recently undertaken in Moscow with a view to upcoming elections?"
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Italy, » Russia, » Europe
All available articles from » Sandro Viola
Corriere della Sera - Italy | Tuesday, 13. March 2007
The Russian president Vladimir Putin is paying a visit to Italy this March 13th. The editorialist Franco Venturini considers the mystery surrounding the figure. "Only ... » more
The Russian president Vladimir Putin is paying a visit to Italy this March 13th. The editorialist Franco Venturini considers the mystery surrounding the figure. "Only one thing is more frightening than a stable Russia and that is an unstable Russia. Maybe we need to resort to the old cold war system as a reference to understand the torment that characterises today's relations between the West and Russia and to know how to deal with this Vladimir Putin, who is to be honourably received in Italy and the Vatican. Seven years after his arrival in the Kremlin, the Russian president remains an impenetrable enigma for many. Will Prodi, Napolitano and the Pope this evening be welcoming a nation's saviour, or a former KGB agent who has not given up his old methods ? Is Putin responsible for the democratisation of a country where democracy has never existed or is he at the head of a barely masked dictatorship ?"
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Italy, » Russia
All available articles from » Franco Venturini
Finland
Vasabladet - Finland | Tuesday, 22. May 2007
Russia has threatened to raise the price of its wood exports to Finland in July 2007. This would be a serious blow to the Finnish ... » more
Russia has threatened to raise the price of its wood exports to Finland in July 2007. This would be a serious blow to the Finnish industry, which imports around a fifth of its wood supplies from Russia, writes Stig Nygard. Is this the beginning of a wood dispute with Finland, following Russia's meat dispute with Poland, its oil dispute with Lithuania and the monument dispute with Estonia? "Russia's Prime Minister Michail Fradkov explained only last November that higher export customs would aim to encourage Finnish wood companies to invest in Russia. All the Russians want to do is increase the quality of their raw materials before they're exported - this is common procedure. But if Russia wants to become a member of the World Trade Organisation it must learn to follow the rules... People can't ignore the fact that Russia is becoming less like a Western liberal democracy and more like the old Soviet Union, both in its attitude and its behaviour. No one will benefit from this - not even Russia itself."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU enlargement, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Trade, » Finland, » Russia
All available articles from » Stig Nygard
Estonia
Main focus of Wednesday, 2. May 2007
In Estonia, the controversial bronze statue has been removed from central Tallinn to a military cemetery on the city outskirts. The removal of the monument, ... » more
In Estonia, the controversial bronze statue has been removed from central Tallinn to a military cemetery on the city outskirts. The removal of the monument, which for many Estonians was a symbol of Soviet occupation, led to heavy rioting. This has led Russians and Poles also to reflect on the removal of war monuments.
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » History, » Poland, » Estonia, » Russia
Delfi - Estonia | Thursday, 3. May 2007
The tone has sharpened in the conflict between Russia and Estonia about the location of a war monument. In addition to incidents on the border ... » more
The tone has sharpened in the conflict between Russia and Estonia about the location of a war monument. In addition to incidents on the border between the two countries there was rioting in the editorial department of the Russian weekly 'Argumenty i Fakty' when members of a Kremlin-backed youth organisation stormed the building, where the Estonian ambassador was due to hold a press conference. The Estonian news portal fears the worst is yet to come. "When Russia physically attacks diplomats and the Estonian government's server and destroys the websites of newspapers, you could almost say war has already broken out. The Russian authorities are not only violating the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations but also all the norms of international conduct, not to mention those of good manners. Russia's most powerful elite is fanning the anti-Estonian hysteria and using the rowdy youths as cannon fodder. We can only hope that the states that have pledged their support will keep their promise. Russia must be reminded that Estonia is not only an EU member but also a member of NATO."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Estonia, » Russia
Dagens Nyheter - Sweden | Friday, 18. May 2007
In the course of the Russian-Estonian conflict over a Soviet war monument in Tallinn there have been repeated disruptive attacks on official Estonian websites, including ... » more
In the course of the Russian-Estonian conflict over a Soviet war monument in Tallinn there have been repeated disruptive attacks on official Estonian websites, including the government's homepage. Leading banks like the subsidiary of the Swedish SEB bank, Eesti Uhispank, were also affected. According to Peter Wolodarski, there are indications that this "Internet war" is backed by the Kremlin. "Estonia is even more dependent on the Internet than Sweden. Its citizens can vote online and many official forms are filled out on the Internet. If evidence comes to light that the Russian state has been sabotaging Estonian websites, Moscow must be called to account. From a purely legal point of view it's unclear whether the situation can be compared with an armed attack - not because Internet warfare is harmless, but because international law has not yet been adapted to the realities of the Internet era."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Sweden
Diena - Latvia | Thursday, 5. April 2007
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov has called for a boycott against Estonian goods. One reason for the Russians' harsher tone is the row over the bronze statue, a Soviet monument in central Tallinn which Estonia wants to have removed. Aivars Ozolins says this is scandalous. "Before the Duma elections in December 2007 and the presidential elections in March 2008, the Kremlin and the country's political elite need both internal and external enemies, and Estonia is an ideal candidate for the external enemy. The 'internal enemies' are the foreigners: » more
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov has called for a boycott against Estonian goods. One reason for the Russians' harsher tone is the row over the bronze statue, a Soviet monument in central Tallinn which Estonia wants to have removed. Aivars Ozolins says this is scandalous. "Before the Duma elections in December 2007 and the presidential elections in March 2008, the Kremlin and the country's political elite need both internal and external enemies, and Estonia is an ideal candidate for the external enemy. The 'internal enemies' are the foreigners: since April 1 they are no longer allowed to trade in Russian markets, and this is fomenting racism." This whole process doesn't bode well for Latvia either, Aivars writes. "The thaw in the relations we have experienced since we signed the border treaty with Russia will probably prove to be short-lived."
» full article (external link, Latvian)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU enlargement, » Trade, » Latvia, » Estonia, » Russia
All available articles from » Aivars Ozolins
Latvia
Main focus of Wednesday, 28. March 2007
Following ten years of dispute, Latvia and Russia have finally agreed on a border treaty. Like Estonia, Latvia was forced to cede territory to Russia ... » more
Following ten years of dispute, Latvia and Russia have finally agreed on a border treaty. Like Estonia, Latvia was forced to cede territory to Russia after the Second World War. A first attempt to reach a compromise in 1997 failed owing to opposition in both countries. The EU has repeatedly urged the signing of a border treaty .
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » History, » Latvia, » Russia, » Baltic States
All available articles from » Zafer Senocak
Diena - Latvia | Monday, 28. January 2008
The British magazine "The Economist" has listed Latvia among those European states through which Russia could influence the West. Aivars Ozolins doesn't quite agree: » more
The British magazine "The Economist" has listed Latvia among those European states through which Russia could influence the West. Aivars Ozolins doesn't quite agree: "The article offers no proof. The Latvian foreign ministry will naturally reject this charge, calling the presentation of Moscow's influence on Latvia exaggerated, and refer to the recent ejection of a Russian diplomat. But even if the picture is exaggerated, it's worth asking why the EU increasingly calls us Russia's Trojan horse, and mentions us in the same breath with states like Serbia or Bulgaria – not good company. In the case of Bulgaria, it's obvious, because Sofia recently signed a contract [with Russia] for construction of a gas pipeline through the Black Sea, signing it without consideration of Ukraine and Poland."
» full article (external link, Latvian)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Latvia, » Russia, » Europe, » Bulgaria
All available articles from » Aivars Ozolins
Diena - Latvia | Thursday, 24. January 2008
Latvia has declared a Russian diplomat to be persona non grata, and thrown him out. The previous case was in 2004. Askolds Rodins suspects that, once again, there is an unspoken charge of spying: » more
Latvia has declared a Russian diplomat to be persona non grata, and thrown him out. The previous case was in 2004. Askolds Rodins suspects that, once again, there is an unspoken charge of spying: "President Zatler's visit to Moscow could indicate that both sides are ready to build normal neighbourly relations. But this sort of trip must not be made in a hurry, nor at any price. Last year, Moscow repeatedly took a hard line with us regarding the border treaty. We can't allow our president's visit to become a pretext for pushing us to behave ourselves. Let's not forget that Latvia is first and foremost a member of the EU and NATO. Our relationship to our Russian neighbour comes second. Even if Moscow would love to see us as its Trojan horse in the EU."
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Diena - Latvia | Friday, 30. November 2007
Latvia's constitutional court has pronounced the border treaty with Russia constitutional even though this means the country will lose territory to Russia. Aivard Ozolins expresses his relief: » more
Latvia's constitutional court has pronounced the border treaty with Russia constitutional even though this means the country will lose territory to Russia. Aivard Ozolins expresses his relief: "The debate about whether the border treaty is in accordance with the basic law will now be supplanted by a debate over this ruling. But this won't affect the treaty itself, so we can now hope it will be ratified by the end of the year. This will finally draw a line under the ten-year struggle over the ratification: Latvia and Russia drew up the text back in 1997. At last this tiresome matter will disappear from the agenda of bilateral relations and relations between the EU and Russia."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU enlargement, » EU Policy, » Domestic Policy, » Latvia, » Russia, » Europe
All available articles from » Aivars Ozolins
Poland
Main focus of Thursday, 5. April 2007
After four months of using its veto on negotiations for a new partnership agreement between Russia and the EU, Poland has signalled Wednesday, April 4th, ... » more
After four months of using its veto on negotiations for a new partnership agreement between Russia and the EU, Poland has signalled Wednesday, April 4th, that it might rethink the situation. This prompts European commentators to speculate on Poland's EU policy.
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU enlargement, » EU Policy, » Trade, » Poland, » Russia
All available articles from » Aivars Ozolins
Gazeta Wyborcza - Poland | Friday, 8. February 2008
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk is holding talks with President Vladimir Putin and others in Moscow today. Tomasz Bielecki considers the first visit to Russia ... » more
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk is holding talks with President Vladimir Putin and others in Moscow today. Tomasz Bielecki considers the first visit to Russia by a Polish head of government since 2001 as an indication of détente. "The Kremlin is striving to improve relations to the west and needs a normalisation of relations to Warsaw to achieve this goal. Russian diplomats admit that Moscow learned to appreciate Poland's strong position in the EU only recently. ... The only tangible effect of a moderate thaw between Poland and Russia can be the development of economic relations. Even though Moscow often exploits trade in energy commodities to play international games, it can be very pragmatic in other realms. The prime example is Russia's relations with Latvia. Despite acrimonious political disputes with the Kremlin, this country has been conducting trade with Russia intensely over the past two years."
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Gazeta Wyborcza - Poland | Thursday, 13. December 2007
Russia is planning to lift the ban it imposed on imports of Polish meat products over two years ago. This paves the way for a new partnership agreement between the EU and Russia, which Poland has blocked up to now because of the meat ban. Krystyna Naszkowska comments: » more
Russia is planning to lift the ban it imposed on imports of Polish meat products over two years ago. This paves the way for a new partnership agreement between the EU and Russia, which Poland has blocked up to now because of the meat ban. Krystyna Naszkowska comments: "This is the new government's first economic success. While the previous government promised that they would reach an agreement with Russia about lifting the ban, Tusk's government has actually achieved it - and astoundingly quickly. ... Now there's the possibility that the financial situation of the importing companies will improve and the pork surplus will diminish. But above all we'll no longer feel we're being discriminated against on the international market."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Trade, » Economic Policy, » Poland, » Russia
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Czech Republic
Main focus of Thursday, 23. August 2007
Russia has surprised everyone by supporting Josef Tosovsky, former governor of the Czech Republic's central bank, to head the International Monetary Fund. Yet the Czech ... » more
Russia has surprised everyone by supporting Josef Tosovsky, former governor of the Czech Republic's central bank, to head the International Monetary Fund. Yet the Czech Republic is backing the candidacy of Dominique Strauss-Kahn, nominated by the EU. The press tries to understand the political motives behind the Russians' ploy.
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU enlargement, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Czech Republic, » Russia, » Europe
All available articles from » Ulrich Schmid
Lidové noviny - Czech Republic | Thursday, 26. April 2007
After the funeral of former Russian President Boris Yeltsin on Wednesday in Moscow, Lubos Palata was prompted to explore the Czechs' feelings towards Russia. He ... » more
After the funeral of former Russian President Boris Yeltsin on Wednesday in Moscow, Lubos Palata was prompted to explore the Czechs' feelings towards Russia. He points out that they misguidely no longer perceive Russia as a European nation. "Russia is a member of the Council of Europe. It recognises the authority of the European Court for Human Rights and has abolished the death penalty. And with the exception of Chodorkovsky, there are no political prisoners in the real sense of the word. Nonetheless, there are no truly free and democratic elections or media. Moreover, Russia is waging a brutal war against Chechen separatists... We consider ourselves superiour to the Russians and Russia. But if you look closely this is not really true. We did not become European simply by joining NATO and the EU. We should therefore show more understanding for the Russians and their problems on their path to becoming a free society than others do."
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More from the press review on the subject » EU enlargement, » Russia
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