The European Parliament recommended, on Thursday 16 September, that the EU Council, the Commission and the High Representative of the Union review, together with the Member States, the Union’s policy towards Russia, including the five guiding principles, and develop a comprehensive EU strategy towards the country.
In the report by Andrius Kubilius (EPP, Lithuania) which they adopted (494 votes in favour, 103 against and 72 abstentions), MEPs say that this new strategy should focus on “pushing back against the security threat” and fighting Russian interference in the EU and in Eastern Neighbourhood countries, but also in the Western Balkans.
The European Parliament also highlights the need for engagement and selective dialogue with the Kremlin to prepare Russia’s transition, including sectoral cooperation, an engagement to support democracy - pushing back with sanctions, financial controls and international investigations. The EU should establish a regulatory framework to combat Russian financial interference in the democratic processes of the Union and its Member States, say MEPs.
For the European Parliament, the EU should strengthen its capacity to adopt sanctions for human rights violations and adopt a sanctions regime against corruption.
MEPs also call for an engagement to support a pro-democracy society in Russia, the Russian people and democracy with the success of the Eastern Partnership as “an inspiration for the people of Russia”.
According to MEPs, there is a need to develop a vision and strategy for future relations with a democratic Russia that respects international law, with conditions and incentives.
Finally, the European Parliament warns that the EU should be prepared not to recognise the Russian Parliament, if the 2021 parliamentary elections in Russia are deemed to be fraudulent and to have been conducted in violation of democratic principles and international law. Voting is scheduled for 17-19 September.
See the report: https://bit.ly/3nx8Fw8 (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)