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@JosepBorrellF visit to Moscow finds strong echo in Russian media, thus refuting the often-made claim that the EU has lost its significance, cannot be taken seriously etc. Expectations are - unsurprisingly - rather pessimistic. Here are some of the most prominent arguments: 1/8
HRVP visit exposes the gap between EU member states, now over #Navalny’s conviction and mass detentions. Memer states’ positions are two parallel straight lines which cannot meet, which makes Borrell’s trip a mission impossible. 2/8
https://www.ng.ru/kartblansh/2021-02-03/3_8073_kartblansh.html
https://www.ng.ru/kartblansh/2021-02-03/3_8073_kartblansh.html
Internal divisions and the negative atmosphere in Brussels will also overshadow the strategic debate about Russia envisaged for the European Council in March and likely prevent drastic steps like significant new sanctions or the end of #NordStream2 . 3/8 https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4673413#id2009665
(Mutual) respect, or lack thereof, is another important motive. Should Borrell’s approach be that of a “school director summoning a disobedient student” the visit is bound to be a failure, K. Kosachev of the Federation Council, told RBK. 4/8 https://www.rbc.ru/politics/04/02/2021/601a81c59a79478d27f1999c?from=column_2
Ivan Timofeev @russiacouncil writes that “the West still feels a sense of ideological and material superiority” but is unable to transform this superiority into real opportunities to influence Russia and change its political course. 5/8 https://russiancouncil.ru/en/analytics-and-comments/analytics/why-russia-eu-relations-remain-stable-against-all-odds/
Tatiana Romanova @kommersant warns that a meeting between Borrell and the Russian opposition could lead to the “geopoliticisation” of already tense state-society relations in Russia. 6/8
https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4673440?from=four_mir
https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4673440?from=four_mir
The transatlantic relationship is an important background variable. General assumption: With Biden readjusting the US approach, the EU can act with new confidence vis-à-vis Russia. 7/8
8/8 This seems to reflect acknowledgement, that the change of administration in Washington could lead to a certain “renaissance” of the West. Public impact of HRVP's visit will also depend on joint press conference with #Lavrov at 10.15 am CET: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/ebs/both/20210205.
