The world in question
Faced with Putin, are the Europeans still united?
Audio 03:37
The headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels.
REUTERS - Francois Lenoir
By: Bruno Daroux Follow
3 mins
On Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 May 2022, a European Summit will be held in Brussels.
An extraordinary summit which will be devoted to the consequences of the war in Ukraine, in particular in the energy and military fields.
Will this summit meeting allow the 27 to maintain their unity in these two areas where differences are beginning to appear?
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The answer to this question is not certain.
Because we are experiencing Europe and Ukraine, act II.
After a first phase at the beginning of the Russian invasion where we witnessed a strengthening of the unity of the 27 members of the European Union, who adopted a package of substantial economic and financial sanctions against Russia, here we are in a second period where the 27 enter the hard - in a way - with this question: do we want or can we do without Russian hydrocarbons, coal, but especially oil and gas?
The political will seemed to be there just three weeks ago.
But here it is: as the time to decide to take the plunge approaches, things get more complicated.
Europeans find it difficult to agree among themselves, they procrastinate and procrastinate.
Quite simply because on this energy file, their interests and their situation diverge - and sometimes greatly.
Between the countries – like France – which depend little on Russian gas and oil, and those which are almost vitally dependent on it, harmonization is difficult.
And then there is the Hungarian Prime Minister who regularly puts a spoke in the wheel of the European machine.
On this energy dossier, it is very clear: there is no question of accepting an embargo on Russian oil sales as it stands.
Suffice to say that this sensitive file may not be settled in four days.
And the defense strategy of the 27
The European summit will also have to take stock of European defense policy in the context of the war in Ukraine.
Here again, the Russian aggression initially provoked a renewed determination of the 27, far from the softness and apathy expected by Vladimir Putin.
Arms deliveries to the Ukrainian army, at first tenuous and limited to defensive equipment, have grown and now concern heavy weapons.
This policy has also caused a depletion of arms and ammunition stocks in many European countries – a problem that will be tackled in Brussels.
Putin's war also woke up Germany, which decided to increase its defense effort to 2% of its GDP – which constitutes a small revolution for this country.
But in Brussels, Europeans must consider the continuation of this military revival: a one-off awakening or a lasting evolution towards an autonomous European defence?
Here is the eternal question.
All the leaders can no doubt congratulate themselves on having taken up the matter again, even if this rapprochement was caused by the fear inspired by Vladimir Putin's Russia.
But for the rest, opinions remain divergent.
Between the French vision carried by Emmanuel Macron, who wants to eventually make the Europe of 27 a military power in itself and the approaches of countries like Germany or the Baltic or Central European countries, which are now in favor of rearmament , even greater autonomy, but still under the American umbrella of NATO, the positions have come closer together.
Can they converge more?
Answer maybe early next week.
© RFI
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