Russia-EU summit marred by Ukraine row

Orkhan Sattarov, the head of the European bureau of Vestnik Kavkaza

The European mass media pointed out that the 32nd summit Russia-EU ended with a politically insignificant declaration on the common struggle against terrorism. The interest of media is focused on developments in Ukraine, as unsettling news comes from it everyday. It is true that the events happening in Kiev plays a huge role in relations between Russia and Europe.

“We held no detailed discussion on Ukraine. Our aim was to discuss strategic partnership between the EU and Russia,” Herman Van Rompuy diplomatically answered journalists’ questions. However, according to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the situation in Ukraine was a central topic for discussion at behind-the-scene talks. Van Rompuy tried to persuade Russian President that signing of an association agreement by members of the Eastern Partnership didn’t mean restriction of Russia’s access to markets of the countries. Whether the Russian leadership believed in sincerity of the words or not is unknown. Vladimir Putin stated that Russia had always respected the right of a country for self-identification, including the post-Soviet republics. As for Ukraine, it is not about political interests, but about economic interests. Whether Brussels believed Putin or not is unknown as well.

“The European choice” of Ukraine is a stumbling block for the EU and Russia in recent months; they started a direct competition for the biggest country in Europe. Euromaidan which quickly turned into Euroriot became a symbol of the rivalry between Europe and Russia. The sides often deny it, but the rivalry is a political reality.

Is a compromise possible? According to analysts, there is such an opportunity. At the summit Vladimir Putin offered the EU close economic cooperation between it and the Eurasian Union. The cooperation between two geopolitical formations could solve the current problems.

The scientific director of the Russian-German forum, famous political scientist, Alexander Rahr, believes that the West should reconsider its attitude toward Russia. “I think some things should be considered differently at the moment compared to the 1990s. Russia is not a fading-away power, it is rising,” the expert says. “Whether we want it or not, Russia is building the Eurasian Union in the east of Europe; and the Eurasian Union should build a foundation for partnership with the EU in a long prospect. In other case we will remain in a period of the Cold War,” Rahr is sure. “Both sides made big mistakes in Ukraine. And Angela Merkel admitted it in her governmental statement. Ukraine should have an opportunity to combine options – to sign an association agreement with the EU and to cooperate closely with the Eurasian Union.”

The summit of Russia-EU showed that Russia has a desire to provide the opportunity. Is Europe ready for this? Can it act without the USA’s recommendations? Washington still thinks that appearance of a powerful Eurasian power in the world is a big threat for hegemony of the USA.