EU Parliament calls Russia potential threat to EU

[inanna]

Source: Associated Press

AP - 33 minutes ago

BRUSSELS (AP) — The EU parliament on Thursday condemned Russia as a "potential threat to the European Union itself" even as the EU foreign policy chief sought to resume dialogue with Moscow to help end the conflict in Ukraine.

The legislature backed a resolution with a show of hands that called for a continuation of the sanctions against Moscow even beyond March, when the first measures will be up for review.

At the same time, the parliament called for diplomatic channels to remain open. EU High Representative Federica Mogherini told lawmakers that the EU must "think of restoring, partially, options and instruments for cooperation on rule of law and the judiciary with Russia."

<snip>

"Those who run Russia today have inherited Stalinist political practices," said parliamentarian Cristian Preda.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/eu-looks-improve-ties-russia-rights-rule-law-131419808.html

[Fearless]

1. It is. Ask Ukraine.

[Cosmic Kitten]

2. Ukraine is a EU member?

[Fearless]

3. You assume I said that.

I said, if you want evidence that Russia is a threat to the EU, you should look to Ukraine, lest we fall into appeasing Russia for invading sovereign nations.

[Cosmic Kitten]

4. Oh, fearmongering. Got it.

[Fearless]

5. Seriously??

They've invaded a sovereign nation and Europe looks the other way. This is a direct parallel to Appeasement.

[pampango]

6. "The European Parliament called not to lift sanctions until Russia ends its annexation of Crimea. It

said if Russian actions on the border of eastern Ukraine continue, then sanctions should be increased in the financial and nuclear sectors.

Parliamentary leaders were scathing of recent judicial actions in Moscow.

Leading Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, a vehement foe of Putin, was convicted in December of fraud and given a 3 ½-year suspended sentence. But the court said he must remain under house arrest until his appeals are exhausted. The Christian Democrat EPP group called the decision politically motivated.

"Those who run Russia today have inherited Stalinist political practices," said parliamentarian Cristian Preda.

"The breakup of the Soviet Union was the greatest geopolitical tragedy of the 20th century."

http://archive.kremlin.ru/eng/speeches/2005/04/25/2031_type70029type82912_87086.shtml

[uhnope]

7. k r

[pampango]

8. It works both ways: Russia’s new military doctrine names NATO as main threat

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a revised military doctrine that names NATO’s military build-up near Russia’s border as its main military threat.

NATO said it had evidence that Moscow orchestrated a separatist rebellion in eastern Ukraine. Moscow has continuously denied supporting the rebellion and is currently working with Kyiv and the rebels towards a political solution to the crisis.

The doctrine says the deployment of foreign military forces on the territory of Russia’s neighbours could be used for “political and military pressure.”

A NATO spokesperson said the alliance “poses no threat to Russia or to any nation.”

http://www.euronews.com/2014/12/26/russia-s-new-military-doctrine-names-nato-build-up-as-main-threat/

[Blue_Tires]

9. Well, after Russia abducted that spy chief from Estonia

And reports of Russian subs off the Swedish coast, I wouldn't think any of her neighbors would consider themselves "safe"...

It's clear Russia wants to let the EU know that NATO wouldn't be able to properly protect its member nations should Putin decide to "expand"...

[jakeXT]

10. Estonia also kicked out former MEP Chiesa

A pro-Kremlin Italian journalist and former MEP arrested in Estonia left the country on Tuesday (16 December) after having violated an entry ban issued by the ministry of interior.

Reporter Giulietto Chiesa was apprehended outside Tallinn airport on Monday and taken to the police station for questioning. Released later that same day, he left for Moscow by train the next morning.

“I am here in Estonia not to advocate Russia’s interests. Hysteria against Russia has nothing to do with Europe’s interests, it is against them,” he told reporters before leaving the country.

“Russia is our friend, never an enemy. It is a colossal market to sell European products. So, I am advocating European interests, and those who call me pro-Kremlin are in fact looking after America’s interests.”

https://euobserver.com/justice/126959