Ukraine: the European Union must dialogue with Russia, pleads France
A member of Ukrainian forces patrols lines separating areas controlled by Kiev and pro-Russian separatists, near Horlivka, Donetsk region, January 22, 2022. © Anna Kudriavtseva, Reuters
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While European Foreign Ministers are meeting Monday January 24 in Brussels on the subject of Russian-Ukrainian tensions, France pleaded on Sunday January 23 for a direct dialogue between the European Union and Russia.
Berlin was under pressure from the West to reaffirm its firmness vis-à-vis Moscow, after embarrassing dissonances in its coalition and its refusal to deliver arms to Kiev.
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It is necessary that "
we as a European Union (...) have proposals,
an organized
, regular dialogue with Russia, while being firm
", explained Sunday the French Secretary of State for European Affairs Clément Beaune before several media.
According to him, Russian President Vladimir Putin favors dialogue with the United States because it “
reminiscent of the times of the Cold War and the clash of superpowers
” and also potentially allows him to “
divide
” Europeans.
“
What we have to do is stay united as Westerners, be present as Europeans.
Is the European Union doing enough
?
Probably not today,
” said the secretary of state.
Before the meeting on Monday January 24, President Emmanuel Macron had already called on Wednesday before MEPs for a dialogue between the EU and Russia on "
a new security order in Europe
", not without worrying Anglo-Saxon observers, who fear divisions within NATO.
"
We must build it between Europeans, then share it with our allies within the framework of NATO, then then propose it for negotiation with Russia
", he had launched.
Clément Beaune also deemed it "
unreasonable
" to speak of Russian "
sound of boots
" in Ukraine when the diplomatic channel has not been exhausted.
In the immediate future, Paris and Berlin are trying to "
reactivate
" their mediation between Russia and Ukraine within the so-called "
Normandy
" format, underlined Clément Beaune, referring, without further details, to "
initiatives
" and a new interview between Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Poutine in “
the coming days
”.
Berlin under pressure to be tough on Moscow
But the German government was under pressure to reaffirm its firmness vis-à-vis Russia, after embarrassing dissonances in its coalition and
the statements of a senior German officer
who outraged Kiev.
By calling the idea that Russia could invade Ukraine "
nonsense
" and saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin "
probably deserves
" respect, the head of the German navy has sparked an outcry.
Despite his forced resignation on Saturday evening, Kiev's irritation is high.
It is also fueled by
Germany's persistent refusal to deliver arms to Ukraine
.
For Kiev, this position is likely to "
encourage
" Vladimir Putin in his supposed intention to attack Ukraine.
Anxious to display a united front with its allies against Moscow, the head of American diplomacy Antony Blinken assured Sunday that he had "
no doubt
" about Germany's determination in the face of Russia.
He had met Olaf Scholz last week.
Pope Francis calls for peace in Ukraine
As tensions rise, Pope Francis makes a new call for peace for Ukraine.
At the end of the Sunday Angelus prayer recited in St. Peter's Square, the Bishop of Rome expressed his concern at the deterioration of the conflict on Sunday.
With our correspondent,
Eric Sénanque
It is with a serious voice that the sovereign pontiff addressed the explosive climate in eastern Ukraine, tensions with Russia are a dangerous spiral, according to Francis: "
I follow with concern the rise in tensions which risk another blow to peace in Ukraine and to jeopardize the security of the European continent, with even wider repercussions.
»
The pope, in his words, wished to launch "
a sincere appeal
" to men of good will, "
so that all political actions and initiatives serve human fraternity rather than partisan interests
".
On multiple occasions in recent months, Francis has appealed for calm.
In his
last Christmas message
, he warned not to let “
the metastases of a gangrenous conflict spread in Ukraine
”.
“
Weapons are not the way
,” he had hammered two weeks earlier.
As he has done in the past for Syria or the Democratic Republic of Congo, the pope invited believers to pray especially for Ukraine next Wednesday, January 26.
Pope Francis 'concerned' about Ukraine
Eric Senanque
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