On the night of Thursday 24 to Friday 25 June, European leaders called on the European Union to work on additional measures against Russia, but also to work on formats for a new dialogue with Moscow.
The EU’s approach to Russia is “united, long-term, and strategic” based on the five guiding principles, the leaders reiterate in conclusions that go over each of the principles: the Minsk agreements, neighbourhood relations, EU resistance to Russian threats, selective engagement with Russia, and support for Russian civil society and people-to-people contacts.
The EU-27 therefore call on the EU Council, the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union to continue to implement these principles fully, “with due regard to the EU values, principles, and interest”. Full implementation of the Minsk agreements is an essential condition for any substantial change in the EU’s position, the Heads of State and Government warn.
They expect the Russian leadership to show “more constructive engagement and political commitment” and to stop actions against the EU and its Member States, but also against other countries.
Thus, stressing the need for a “firm and coordinated” response by the EU and its Member States to any further “malign, illegal, and disruptive” activity by Russia, the leaders invite the Commission and the High Representative “to present options for additional restrictive measures, including economic sanctions”.
They also recall that the EU is open to selective engagement with Moscow in areas of EU interest. The Commission and the High Representative are tasked with developing “concrete options including conditionalities and leverages in this regard, with a view to their considerations by the Council on topics such as climate, and the environment, health, as well as selected issues of foreign and security policy and multilateral issues”.
In this context, the European Council will explore formats and conditions of dialogue with Russia, explain EU leaders.
While Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and German Chancellor Angela Merkel were in favour of holding a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, this option was not pursued.
“What is important for me is that the dialogue format is maintained and that we work on it. Personally, I would have liked to see a bolder approach”, explained the latter at the end of the discussion.
The leaders of the Baltic States, Poland, and the Netherlands are opposed to the idea of a summit with Mr Putin.
“It’s too early because so far we don’t see a radical change in behaviour. Trying to engage is, of course, a very good idea, but without preconditions it will be a bad signal”, said Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda on his way out.
In their conclusions, the leaders also condemn the limitations of fundamental freedoms in Russia and the shrinking space for civil society. They invite the Commission and the High Representative to put forward proposals on people to people contacts and support for Russian civil society, human rights organisations, and independent media.
Finally, the European Council stresses the need to further deepen and intensify political, economic, and people-to-people ties and cooperation with the Eastern partners “with a view to increasing their resilience”.
See the conclusions of the European Council: https://bit.ly/3dcz64q (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with the editorial staff)