Europe and Russia

More than one year after Crimeas annexation by Russia, Europes concerns about Moscows intentions remain unchanged.

Bogdan Matei, 11.06.2015, 14:32

Former defence minister in the cabinet that a decade ago obtained Romanias entry into NATO, Social Democratic MEP Ioan Mircea Pascu on Wednesday presented a resolution in the EU Parliament on security in the Black Sea region following the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula by Russia. The document also sharply criticizes Moscows actions in other ex-soviet countries, which Russia seems unwilling to give up 25 years after the dismantling of the Soviet Union.

According to the Romanian MEP, the illegal annexation of Crimea, the conflict in eastern Ukraine as well as the situation in the pro-Russian breakaway provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia that came out of Georgias control, is proof of the fact that Russia wants to gain control of the Black Sea coast. Pascu sees Crimea as some sort of Kaliningrad aimed at supporting a potential expansion. Pascus colleague in the group of European Socialists, Victor Bostinaru has also denounced Russias renewed territorial appetite.

Victor Bostinaru: “I would like to call into attention Russias strategy of occupying territories in the neighboring regions through a gradual process, which begins by sparking off inter-ethnic violence that later turns into frozen conflicts and direct occupation, like in the case of South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Crimea. Last but not least, Id like to mention Russias massive involvement in a large-scale electronic war, as it was identified by NATO and its EU partners.

Romanian Liberal Norica Nicolai has cautioned that Russias military presence in Transdniester, a breakaway region in the east of the ex-soviet Republic of Moldova and the escalation of the Ukrainian conflict could result in the advancement of Russian troops to the Danube.

Norica Nicolai: “Well shortly have Russian troops close to the Danube, which will be posing a big problem to the EUs security. The EU will have a very long borderline with Russia and first well have to take major steps, particularly diplomatic steps, to prevent such an escalation of the conflict.

Daniel Buda of the European Peoples Party says the possibility of offering defensive means to Ukraine should be considered with all responsibility as only its defense capability could guarantee peace and security in the region. Irrespective of ideology, Romanian MEPs seem to have reached a consensus, which could be explained through the 12 Russian invasions the Romanians had witnessed in the past three centuries.

The European Parliament as a whole has confirmed its extremely critical stand towards Moscow by adopting, on Wednesday, a document calling for the effective actions and financial support for fighting the Russian propaganda and misinformation inside the EU and abroad. According to the document, member countries must put in place a monitoring mechanism assessing the financial, political and technical support Russia is offering to political parties and other organisations in the EU.