Russia is seen as the “main source of hybrid and conventional threats”, including in connection with the alleged attempts by Moscow to undermine European unity and call into question universal values shared by all EU member states.
This is stated in the proposals on the resolution of the EP Committee on Foreign Relations, presented in the framework of the annual report entitled “Implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy” (CFSP).
“(European Parliament. - RT ) notes that the main source of hybrid and common security threats to the EU and its member states is Russia, which is actively seeking to undermine European unity, independence, universal values and international standards,” the document states. the text of which was read by RT.
In addition, the document talks about Russia's attempts to "destabilize the situation."
“(European Parliament. - RT ) confirms the intention of the EU, in accordance with international law, norms and principles, to support the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Ukraine and all Eastern Partnership countries within their internationally recognized borders in order to expand the support provided to conflict-affected residents , internally displaced persons and refugees, as well as to counter the efforts to destabilize third countries, in particular Russia, ”the text says.
Among other things, the proposals for the resolution speak of the "hostile nature of Russian propaganda and misinformation," as well as the danger posed by "foreign interference" in European affairs, in particular in elections. In this regard, the European Parliament took the initiative to develop a long-term strategy for Russia.
“To intensify efforts to strengthen the ability of the European Union and its members to adapt, and also to develop a long-term strategy for the EU for Russia, based on three pillars: deterrence, intimidation and transformation,” the document says.
- Vladimir Putin
- RIA News
- © Evgeny Biyatov
In recent years, Russia has been constantly accused of "interference" in the internal affairs of foreign states. However, Russian officials have repeatedly emphasized the absurdity and lack of evidence of such statements. Thus, Russian President Vladimir Putin previously noted that Russia has never interfered in the internal political processes of other countries.
“I emphasize: we did not intervene and are not going to interfere in the internal affairs of both the EU member states and other states of the world. This is our fundamental difference from the United States and a number of its allies, which, for example, supported the coup in Ukraine in February 2014, ”the president said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has also repeatedly commented on statements by Western colleagues regarding Moscow’s alleged interference in domestic political processes abroad. In particular, the Foreign Minister emphasized that the partners so far have not brought any evidence of Russian involvement in allegedly malicious activities, for example, in Europe and the United States.
“I didn’t see a single fact either regarding the fact that we were trying to hack into some sites of the Democratic Party, or about what we supposedly did in France or Germany,” Lavrov said.
The trend to discredit Russia in Europe continues, the corresponding regulatory framework is expanding, said Nikita Danyuk, deputy director of the Institute for Strategic Studies and Forecasts of the RUDN University, in an interview with RT.
According to the expert, such groundless rhetoric is explained by the fact that the European Union is in a state of crisis. He noted that the EU is important to maintain unity in the main areas of policy. One of the possible options for the further development of events in this context may be to use the theme of the “Russian threat”.
“We see that (in the EU. - RT ) there are huge structural problems in the economy, operational policy, and economic issues. At the same time, it is very difficult to find consolidation points, because the EU is no longer the place where so-called European solidarity exists. We see that there are groups of countries within Europe that look at the development of the European Union in completely different ways. So, in order to maintain this consolidation, it’s very convenient to use the theme of Russia, the topic of “threats” from the Russian Federation, wrapping it in specific applied aspects in the form of documents, ”Danyuk explained.
In turn, an expert at the International Institute for Humanitarian and Political Studies, Vladimir Bruter, recalled that the European Parliament reflects the collective opinion of the West European political elite, which has always been and will be hostile to Russia.
In his opinion, Moscow should not expect a change in European rhetoric, since it is “not included in the plans” of Brussels. However, this does not mean at all that relations between Russia and the EU will deteriorate "to unlimited values." Nevertheless, European functionaries will continue to exert pressure on Moscow.
“This pressure will always continue until it gives some effect, and in their opinion, it gives an effect,” the political scientist said.
"The pillar of European security"
In the document, parliamentarians proposed a number of initiatives. So, they called for increased efforts to combat cyber and hybrid threats, and also indicated that in order to conduct a more effective risk analysis and confront existing challenges, it is necessary to improve the quality of interaction between stakeholders in the field of security.
“(European Parliament. - RT ) calls on the Vice-President of the European Commission / EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the European Commission and the EU Member States to intensify efforts to counter threats in cyberspace and hybrid threats, which are various ambiguous actions, by strengthening cyber defense mechanisms EU and Member States and their resilience to hybrid threats, the creation of a critical cyber-threat-resistant infrastructure; calls in this regard for the development of comprehensive joint capacities and methods for analyzing risks and vulnerabilities, ”the text of the document says.
In addition, MEPs emphasize the need for more effective coordination for the successful resolution of “such problems”.
In order to counter the “Russian threat”, the EU also conducts appropriate work with the expert, political and journalistic community, and creates centers to combat “influence from abroad,” added Nikita Danyuk. However, according to him, it is difficult to talk about the effectiveness of such measures in the short term.
“Special centers are being created to counter the“ Russian threat ”, for example, in the information space they work with the expert community, academic, journalistic, work actively with politicians who are trying to find at least some constructive attitude towards Moscow. There are even special organizations within the European Union, STRATCOM, which purposefully deal with the so-called exposure of Russian propaganda, fakes and so on, ”the expert said in an interview with RT.
It is expected that the EP recalled the effectiveness of NATO - in particular, that the military bloc continues to be one of the foundations of European security. The European Parliament also welcomed the further expansion of the North Atlantic Alliance.
- NATO exercises in Latvia
- Reuters
- © Ints Kalnins
“(European Parliament. - RT ) emphasizes the role of NATO as an important pillar of European security and welcomes the ongoing process of expanding the alliance, which contributes to the stability and prosperity of Europe,” the document says.
In Moscow, commenting on the activities of NATO, they announced, among other things, threats related to the advance of the military bloc to the east, to the Russian borders.
“Today we must proceed from the fact that the expansion of NATO, the development of its military infrastructure near the Russian borders is one of the potential threats to the security of our country,” the head of state emphasized.
At the same time, the press secretary of the Russian leader Dmitry Peskov noted that, despite the existence of tension in relations between Russia and Europe, Moscow has never been the initiator of reducing the intensity of cooperation with the North Atlantic Alliance.
“Russia never avoided cooperation with NATO and was always ready for this. The Russia-NATO Council worked, but then, not on our initiative, this interaction was curtailed and brought down to an expert level, some kind of sporadic contacts, ”he added.
The EU’s commitment to the principles of the military alliance is understandable, said Nikita Danyuk. According to him, from the point of view of ensuring security, Europe is not subjective. In this regard, the EU needs the assistance of the North Atlantic Alliance, which, in turn, considers Russia as one of the most dangerous threats, the expert said in an interview with RT.
“Here are factors, both internal and external, related to the fact that Europe is independent, non-subjective and constantly forced to look at how NATO looks at Russia, naturally, led by Washington. It’s another matter that this is just a continuation of the rhetoric, and specific mechanisms, in addition to some regular documents, in order to reduce interaction with Russia, that the European Parliament, that the European Commission, it seems to me, do not currently exist, ”he concluded analyst.