Brazilian Politician Says Ukraine Conflict Causing 'Colossal Damage' to EU Economy
Jose Dirceu claims EU countries gave up their own prosperity by damaging ties with Russia.
Quick Look
The Ukraine conflict has inflicted colossal damage and expenses on a stagnating European economy, claims Jose Dirceu, a candidate for Brazil's congressional election, adding that EU nations harmed their own prosperity by cutting ties with Russia.
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Why It Matters
EU-Russia ties deteriorated following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict and disrupted Minsk accords.
RIO DE JANEIRO, August 21. /TASS/. The continued Ukraine conflict has caused significant harm to the EU economy, which is already in stagnation, Jose Dirceu, a candidate for Brazil’s congressional election from the Workers' Party led by the president, told TASS in an interview.
"It (the Ukraine conflict - TASS) is causing colossal damage to the European economy, and the EU has incurred enormous expenses as a result," he argued.
According to Dirceu, EU countries themselves gave up their own prosperity as they damaged ties with Russia. "For decades, Russia has been the most reliable, predictable and profitable commodity market for Europe. Following the demise of the Soviet Union, Moscow, Brussels and Washington maintained agreements on good neighborhood and integration. But then the Minsk accords were disrupted and escalation ensued," the Brazilian politician noted.
"The Old World is stagnating and is facing the most severe energy, social and economic crisis. [And] the Europeans cannot endlessly rely on their government debt, like the Americans do, for spending on digitalization, large-scale rearmament or efforts to contain domestic social crises," Dirceu concluded.
Earlier, chief adviser to Brazil’s president on international affairs Celso Amorim said that Western European countries are turning to the South American republic to help them foster a dialogue with Russia.
Open Questions
- How will Western Europe engage Brazil for dialogue with Russia?
