Although, by his own admission, his weekend visit to Moscow is “controversial”, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, called for dialogue with Russia on Monday 1 February.
“Despite everything that can be said, Russia remains a neighbour, a partner of the first importance with whom we must maintain dialogue if we really want to become a global player and have an influence on Syria, Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh, Belarus, and Ukraine”, he explained at a conference organised by the Schuman Foundation.
According to him, Russia and Turkey are in the process of the “Astanisation” of the world: in Syria, Libya, and now in Nagorno-Karabakh. The term ‘Astanisation’ refers to the Astana dialogue process in Syria between Russia and Turkey.
“If you want to weigh in, you have to engage. You can’t say: ‘I don’t like you, so I’m staying in my corner’, because that doesn’t help anything”, insisted Mr Borrell.
Furthermore, the High Representative stressed the need to work with China as well. “Ignoring, isolating oneself from China is not an option. Nothing can replace working with Beijing on issues such as climate change, Covid-19, and debt relief for poor countries”, he explained. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)