The EU’s top diplomat has warned Russia and the US against creating “spheres of influence” in Europe ahead of talks between the two countries next week regarding proposals from Moscow that would reshape the continent’s defence and security architecture.
Russia, which has stoked fears of a potential military attack on Ukraine after deploying more than 100,000 troops close to its border, has demanded the US and Nato agree to security pledges that would ban former Soviet states from joining the western military alliance and restrict where US troops could be stationed in eastern Europe.
Next week’s negotiations will see Russian officials hold meetings with a US delegation and with Nato, overlooking demands from the EU that it deserves a seat at the talks.
But Josep Borrell, head of the EU’s foreign and security arm, warned that this was no time for a deal akin to the Yalta agreements struck between leaders of the Soviet Union, US and UK that divided Europe after the second world war, and that Brussels would eventually need to play a role in the talks with Moscow.
“We are no longer in Yalta times,” Borrell said during a visit to Ukraine on Wednesday. “Spheres of influence for two big powers do not belong . . . in 2022. In this dialogue there are not two actors alone, not just the US and Russia.”
Russia denies that it is preparing an invasion of Ukraine, but president Vladimir Putin has threatened potential military action if its security demands issued to the US and Nato last month are ignored.
Officials from the US and Russia will meet in Geneva next Monday, before the Russian delegation attends a special session of the Nato-Russia council in Brussels two days later.
While Borrell has said the EU cannot be a “neutral spectator” on the issue, bloc officials have told the Financial Times that the union’s absence from direct talks with Moscow is a reflection of its lack of foreign policy clout, and internal divisions over its defence strategy.
But Borrell vowed that the EU would play a role in a later stage of the negotiations.
“If Russia is really willing to talk about security in Europe, then Europeans have to be part of it,” he said. “Not the first day, but [these negotiations] will not just last one day or one week . . . Like it or not, they will have to talk with us, be sure of that.”
Borrell’s visit to eastern Ukraine took him to the front line of the war being fought between the Ukrainian army and rebels backed by Moscow since early 2014. It was the first time the EU’s top diplomat had paid a visit to the conflict-hit region.
Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba, speaking alongside Borrell, said any discussions regarding Ukraine must involve Kyiv. Ukraine will not be present at the US or Nato talks, but is expected to attend broader talks with Russia organised by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, scheduled for Thursday January 13.
I thought it’s another variant of Covid 🙁
“EU warns”
EU should know that warnings need to be backed up.
Lol what is EU going to the warn the US? About the dangers of committees and burdensome bureaucracy?
Edit: Geez Europeans are getting big mad. Instead of downvoting, join the EU army and bring influence back to your region.
Aww it’s cute they think they have any power out sway over what the U.S. and Russia do.
These two just feed each other, and neither is the good guy.
Warns with what ? Europe is weak.
Reminds me of an old phpne conversation leak between US diplomats
“Should we ask/talk to the EU”
“Nah lol fuck the EU”.
I doubt they care.
The EU doesn’t want a Yalta; they prefer a Munich, as long as the gas flows.
This is the worrying part, not whatever the EU is complaining about:
*Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba, speaking alongside Borrell, said any discussions regarding Ukraine must involve Kyiv. Ukraine will not be present at the US or Nato talks*
Have the major powers learned nothing from our historical mistakes?
Sweet!!, threesome.
If only you had an actual military to enforce any of your opinions oh well I’m sure it’ll work out well, but don’t worry after all Ukraine’s not in Europe so you don’t have to worry as you’ve told us so many times
Did they ever say sorry or repay for the first Yalta/Tehran?
Yeah. I thought so.
😂 It’s like the beef on plate arguing to fight for interests with the eaters
Borrell is projecting because he’s salty the EU doesn’t have a seat at the table
What deal is the EU thinking of? The US will tell Russia to fuck off or get fucked and that’s probably what the summit will amount to. Then Russia will fuck off for a while. The EU is being too dramatic here.
EU has no army, very divided politically and only good as an economic alliance. What do they expect really?!
Now they’re saying they don’t want a new Yalta? Of course you’ll get a new Yalta when you’re letargic and impotent to do anything about it for years and years. Classic Europe, making the same mistake over and over again. Just like they were doing in the wake of WWII sitting on their ass doing nothing.
The US and Russia have every right to do this without the EU, because, frankly, that’s just how the world works and has always worked. If you’re not proactive in fighting for your interests you’ll get sidelined and someone is going to determine those interests for you.
This is why I always say EU army/common foreign policy is needed. Big dogs don’t care about France or Germany, let alone smaller member states. I don’t believe this situation will change peoples position on EU army/common FP but 10 more of these situations and maybe some start seeing the other side
Why would the west want all the trouble coming with Eastern Europe? Hungary is fast becoming a corrupt authoritarian shithole while Slovenia is following in its footsteps, Poland is ruled by kleptocratic neofascist crooks who used Pegasus to eavesdrop on the opposition to win last presidential elections, Serbs are a bunch of crazy nationalists waiting to invade their neighbors, Bulgaria and Romania are sooner and later going to follow the example of Poland and Hungary. Slovakia, Croatia and Czechia also have far right parties gaining in popularity. Just send them where they belong – back to Euro-Asia.
23 comments
I think washington didn’t give brussels the memo
Paywall…
The EU’s top diplomat has warned Russia and the US against creating “spheres of influence” in Europe ahead of talks between the two countries next week regarding proposals from Moscow that would reshape the continent’s defence and security architecture.
Russia, which has stoked fears of a potential military attack on Ukraine after deploying more than 100,000 troops close to its border, has demanded the US and Nato agree to security pledges that would ban former Soviet states from joining the western military alliance and restrict where US troops could be stationed in eastern Europe.
Next week’s negotiations will see Russian officials hold meetings with a US delegation and with Nato, overlooking demands from the EU that it deserves a seat at the talks.
But Josep Borrell, head of the EU’s foreign and security arm, warned that this was no time for a deal akin to the Yalta agreements struck between leaders of the Soviet Union, US and UK that divided Europe after the second world war, and that Brussels would eventually need to play a role in the talks with Moscow.
“We are no longer in Yalta times,” Borrell said during a visit to Ukraine on Wednesday. “Spheres of influence for two big powers do not belong . . . in 2022. In this dialogue there are not two actors alone, not just the US and Russia.”
Russia denies that it is preparing an invasion of Ukraine, but president Vladimir Putin has threatened potential military action if its security demands issued to the US and Nato last month are ignored.
Officials from the US and Russia will meet in Geneva next Monday, before the Russian delegation attends a special session of the Nato-Russia council in Brussels two days later.
While Borrell has said the EU cannot be a “neutral spectator” on the issue, bloc officials have told the Financial Times that the union’s absence from direct talks with Moscow is a reflection of its lack of foreign policy clout, and internal divisions over its defence strategy.
But Borrell vowed that the EU would play a role in a later stage of the negotiations.
“If Russia is really willing to talk about security in Europe, then Europeans have to be part of it,” he said. “Not the first day, but [these negotiations] will not just last one day or one week . . . Like it or not, they will have to talk with us, be sure of that.”
Borrell’s visit to eastern Ukraine took him to the front line of the war being fought between the Ukrainian army and rebels backed by Moscow since early 2014. It was the first time the EU’s top diplomat had paid a visit to the conflict-hit region.
Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba, speaking alongside Borrell, said any discussions regarding Ukraine must involve Kyiv. Ukraine will not be present at the US or Nato talks, but is expected to attend broader talks with Russia organised by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, scheduled for Thursday January 13.
I thought it’s another variant of Covid 🙁
“EU warns”
EU should know that warnings need to be backed up.
Lol what is EU going to the warn the US? About the dangers of committees and burdensome bureaucracy?
Edit: Geez Europeans are getting big mad. Instead of downvoting, join the EU army and bring influence back to your region.
Aww it’s cute they think they have any power out sway over what the U.S. and Russia do.
These two just feed each other, and neither is the good guy.
Warns with what ? Europe is weak.
Reminds me of an old phpne conversation leak between US diplomats
“Should we ask/talk to the EU”
“Nah lol fuck the EU”.
I doubt they care.
The EU doesn’t want a Yalta; they prefer a Munich, as long as the gas flows.
This is the worrying part, not whatever the EU is complaining about:
*Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba, speaking alongside Borrell, said any discussions regarding Ukraine must involve Kyiv. Ukraine will not be present at the US or Nato talks*
Have the major powers learned nothing from our historical mistakes?
Sweet!!, threesome.
If only you had an actual military to enforce any of your opinions oh well I’m sure it’ll work out well, but don’t worry after all Ukraine’s not in Europe so you don’t have to worry as you’ve told us so many times
Did they ever say sorry or repay for the first Yalta/Tehran?
Yeah. I thought so.
😂 It’s like the beef on plate arguing to fight for interests with the eaters
Borrell is projecting because he’s salty the EU doesn’t have a seat at the table
What deal is the EU thinking of? The US will tell Russia to fuck off or get fucked and that’s probably what the summit will amount to. Then Russia will fuck off for a while. The EU is being too dramatic here.
EU has no army, very divided politically and only good as an economic alliance. What do they expect really?!
Now they’re saying they don’t want a new Yalta? Of course you’ll get a new Yalta when you’re letargic and impotent to do anything about it for years and years. Classic Europe, making the same mistake over and over again. Just like they were doing in the wake of WWII sitting on their ass doing nothing.
The US and Russia have every right to do this without the EU, because, frankly, that’s just how the world works and has always worked. If you’re not proactive in fighting for your interests you’ll get sidelined and someone is going to determine those interests for you.
This is why I always say EU army/common foreign policy is needed. Big dogs don’t care about France or Germany, let alone smaller member states. I don’t believe this situation will change peoples position on EU army/common FP but 10 more of these situations and maybe some start seeing the other side
Why would the west want all the trouble coming with Eastern Europe? Hungary is fast becoming a corrupt authoritarian shithole while Slovenia is following in its footsteps, Poland is ruled by kleptocratic neofascist crooks who used Pegasus to eavesdrop on the opposition to win last presidential elections, Serbs are a bunch of crazy nationalists waiting to invade their neighbors, Bulgaria and Romania are sooner and later going to follow the example of Poland and Hungary. Slovakia, Croatia and Czechia also have far right parties gaining in popularity. Just send them where they belong – back to Euro-Asia.
[Remember when Borrell made a humiliating visit to Moscow despite the warnings of EU’s Eastern members?](https://www.euronews.com/2021/02/09/a-predictable-mistake-meps-slam-borrell-over-moscow-trip) That’s why nobody takes him seriously.