It seems that Obama realized it even before the European leaders. While they were busy in quarrels that are putting a strain on the European Union, the American president flatly said it: Putin wants to divide Europe.
Many hope that the warning has been taken seriously. Obama launched his message publicly in an interview with CBS, shortly before meeting with Renzi, Cameron, Hollande and Merkel. “Mr. Putin has generally viewed the EU as a threat to Russian power“, Obama said. “But more importantly, more strategically, is the strain the migrant crisis is putting on Europe’s politics, the way that it advances far-right nationalism, the degree to which it is encouraging a break up of European unity, that in some cases is being exploited by somebody like Mr. Putin“
It’s something that parties like the Front National in France and the UKIP in Britain are well aware of.
“Now, I think he’s mistaken about that”, continued Obama. “I’ve indicated to him that, in fact, a strong, unified Europe working with a strong, outward-looking Russia — that’s the right recipe. So far, he has not been entirely persuaded”.
Anti-Europeans
It is obvious Putin is not persuaded. Putin is anything but a fool. He knows very well that a Europe weakened in its political unity is a headache less for the Russian revanchism. You can bet Obama will not make him change his mind. What we are not sure about is whether Obama has repeated his warnings directly to the other four European leaders he met after the interview and, if yes, at least they are persuaded.
The fact is, it’s hard to imagine that they are not aware of what is happening under their nose. Suspects that the Kremlin should fund some European far-right parties, like Golden Dawn in Greece and Jobbik in Hungary, became more an evidence when Marine Le Pen has confirmed that his Front National took money from Russia. And when the British UKIP Nigel Farage blocked a scrutiny of party donations, as part of a drive to halt Russian influence in Europe.
Among Putin’s friends in Europe, in short, among those who would like closer ties with Moscow and those who would like to import Putinism in our democracies, there are very few who can be called pro-Europe. Hard to believe it’s just a coincidence.
The Minsk agreements are a trap
Russian measures to undermine Europe tend to exploit its Achilles’ heel. Like the anti-European movements, he fear for same-sex unions and that of immigrants, the small and big rivalry between its members, the same ones that are closing borders and raise barbed wire, Grexit and Brexit. With a short-term objective: have the sanctions lifted.
And there are many European who want the same thing. There is not much to be satisfied when German Chancellor Merkel insists on maintaining sanctions until Russia will fulfill the Minsk agreements. It is a statement that hides a double trap. First because it does not refer to Crimea, risking to accept once and for all its forced annexation by Russia. And second because linking the sanctions to Minsk Protocol means not to take into account all aspects of Russian military aggression on Ukraine that are not mentioned in the agreement. Such as the use of regular army, the secret supply of weapons to the separatists and the seizing and incarceration of Ukrainian citizens in Crimea and the Donbass, not to mention all the damages already caused and the destabilization of the entire region for the years to come.
Aspects bound to be forgotten if in Europe divisions and national interests prevail.
@daniloeliatweet
It seems that Obama realized it even before the European leaders. While they were busy in quarrels that are putting a strain on the European Union, the American president flatly said it: Putin wants to divide Europe.
Many hope that the warning has been taken seriously. Obama launched his message publicly in an interview with CBS, shortly before meeting with Renzi, Cameron, Hollande and Merkel. “Mr. Putin has generally viewed the EU as a threat to Russian power“, Obama said. “But more importantly, more strategically, is the strain the migrant crisis is putting on Europe’s politics, the way that it advances far-right nationalism, the degree to which it is encouraging a break up of European unity, that in some cases is being exploited by somebody like Mr. Putin“
