The EPP group in the European Parliament is currently preparing a strategy paper on Russia, initiated by Andrius Kubilius from Lithuania.
The group will discuss the issue again on 20 April and EUROPE has obtained a copy of the draft strategy. The paper “presents short and long term suggestions for the revision of the EU’s policy towards Russia and focuses on ideas for the transformation strategy”.
According to this draft, the EU’s policy towards Russia should be centred on the principle of protecting the values of democracy. While Mr Putin will not change, “Russia can change and the EU must help the Russian people in this transformation”. So we need to move from ‘Putin first’ to ‘democracy first’.
“There should not be five EU guiding principles, but one principle for our relations with Russia, which should show our determination to protect democracy in Russia” the document says.
As part of its policy review, the EU should adopt a strategy for future relations with a democratic Russia, including a broad offer of incentives and conditions to strengthen national trends towards freedom and democracy, based on elements such as visa liberalisation, free trade, investment and strategic partnership, the draft adds.
The paper argues that the EU should critically examine its cooperation with Russia, especially economic cooperation, and continue its policy of conditional isolation of the country. The EU should revise its financial support programmes, with increased support for civil society.
Furthermore, the EU should be ready to action additional sanctions, adopt a comprehensive anti-money laundering mechanism and go further in the fight against tax evasion and money laundering practices. It should also immediately launch an international investigation into the most serious crimes committed in Russia. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)