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The Kerch Crisis and the deadlock of the European Union
Against the decision of a European country – Lithuania – to expand the " blacklist "Russian citizens in response to the actions of Moscow in the Kerch Strait, the unpredictability of the European Union in general, the energetic reaction to the blatant violation of international maritime law by Russia is even more convex
German Foreign Minister Gayko Maas, at a press conference in Lisbon, explained the reluctance of his country to take the initiative of new sanctions to fight against aspirations. ennyam achieve a de-escalation in the Kerch Strait. But Maas also mentioned something that should be decisive for strengthening sanctions. This circumstance is the lack of consensus within the European Union.
It should be noted that the EU would have achieved a balance of interests between its members who pleaded for a strengthening of the sanctions regime and the countries that would gladly lift the sanctions against Moscow – would be possible. And this balance is not only related to the situation in the Kerch Strait. This is one of the first results of the activities of the new Italian populist government, many of whose members do not hide their sympathies with Vladimir Putin.
When sanctions against Russia were imposed against small countries dependent on EU subsidies, it was possible to demonstrate their relevance and move on to something else. But when in the camp the abolition of sanctions was in fact the government of one of the "heavyweight" countries of the European Union, the association was at a dead end. And now, the main task of countries that consider it necessary to increase the pressure on Russia is at least to preserve the sanctions at the existing level.
What it will lead to is not so difficult to guess. Vladimir Putin will once again be convinced of his impunity and his ability to manipulate the European Union's policy and will be ready for a new military provocation, not at sea, but on land. And after this provocation, the EU will still have to impose new sanctions on Moscow. Because the actions of the Kremlin – that the head of the German foreign policy department has not thought of that – it's not at all a path to de-escalation.
This is a path to climbing. So, after this new escalation, the European Union will be able to restore unity and increase pressure on the Kremlin.
Only the payment of this understanding can give the life and health of Ukrainians
Vitaliy Portnikov – Journalist and political commentator, columnist for Radio Liberty
The opinions expressed in the "Viewpoint" section reflect the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of Radio Liberty
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