The European Council on Monday 24 May condemned Russia’s “illegal, provocative, and disruptive” activities against the European Union, its Member States, and beyond.
In recent weeks, tensions have risen with significant Russian troop movements on the Ukrainian border and allegations of Russian involvement in the explosion of depots in the Czech Republic and Bulgaria in 2014. Prague expelled many Russian diplomats as a consequence.
In the conclusions they adopted after a “thorough, useful” debate, according to European Council President Charles Michel, EU leaders reaffirmed the EU’s unity and solidarity in the face of such acts and their support to Eastern partners. They also support Prague’s response to Russian actions.
And while the European Council warns that it will continue to coordinate with like-minded international partners vis-à-vis Moscow, according to Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo, Europe needs to develop a vision independent of the US. The EU must develop “a strategy that is proactive and not reactive to Russia’s actions”, he added, saying that the differences in views between Member States on this issue were not so far apart.
The European Council will return to the Russian issue at its meeting on 24-25 June. To this end, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, and the European Commission have been asked to present a report “with policy options” on EU-Russia relations, in line with the five principles (e.g. respect for the Minsk agreements) that govern these relations.
According to Mr Michel, the aim will be to develop a strategic vision and, he hoped, strategic actions towards Russia.
See the European Council conclusions: https://bit.ly/2T5tS39 (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with Mathieu Bion)