The demands form a package that Moscow says is an essential requirement for lowering tensions in Europe and defusing a crisis over Ukraine.

Key points of Moscow’s proposals 

The European Union (EU) and Russia remain closely interdependent despite strained relations since 2014. Russia and the EU share longstanding historical, cultural and economic ties and the EU continues to engage Russia in selected areas of EU interest. The EU is Russia’s first trading partner and Russia is the EU’s fifth trading partner. In 2019, EU imports from Russia reached €144 billion and EU exports to Russia €88 billion.

Political relations

EU sovereignty

• Move from a Europe of cooperation within its borders to a powerful Europe in the world, fully sovereign, free to make its own choices and master of its own destiny.
• Better “control” of Europe’s borders for taking up the challenge of migration, facing up to hybrid wars and avoiding human dramas..

Reform of Schengen

Ukraine should adopt some form of non-alignment or neutrality as the basis for its foreign and defense policies. An essential step in this process is for the United States to formally put an end to the prospect of NATO membership for Ukraine. The sustained false hope of NATO membership discourages Ukraine from examining more pragmatic and necessary options.

NEW GERMAN GOVERNMENT

1. Abkhazia: Republic of Abkhazia and Georgia
2. Aegean dispute, Imia/Kardak: Greece and Turkey
3. Artsyashen exclave of Gegharkunik province, de jure part of Armenia; Karki exclave of Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, Yukhari Askipara and Barkhudarli both exclaves of Qazakh Rayon de jure part of Azerbaijan; Yuradullu is controlled by Azerbaijan along with occupying the much marger de jure Armenian territory surrounding it: Armenia and Azerbaijan

Author: Anatol Lieven a senior research fellow on Russia and Europe at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.

Since 2014 the EU and the Financial Institutions have mobilised more than €17 billion in grants and loans to support reforms in Ukraine. But grand corruption and state capture are still widespread in Ukraine despite EU action. Despite varied support the EU has offered to Ukraine, oligarchs and vested interests continue to undermine the rule of law in Ukraine and to threaten the country’s development.

In late drafts of the new pact, France and Italy committed to coordinate in a true laundry list of areas. The zones for partnerships include security, defense, European affairs, migration, industry, strategic sectors (including 5G, AI and the cloud), justice, venture capital in start-ups and innovative businesses, macroeconomics, culture and youth. The treaty could include a common commitment to develop the space launchers Ariane 6 and Vega-C.

ABB: Simas Gerdvila is joining the EU government relations office at engineering giant ABB.