Russia is taking into account Western plans to include Ukraine in the new European collective defense system
Quick Look
- Director of the Department of European Problems of the Russian Foreign Ministry Vladislav Maslennikov said that Moscow takes into account in its foreign policy the plans of the West to include Ukraine in the new system of collective defense of Europe.
- European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius noted that the European Commission is discussing the transition from a transatlantic to a more autonomous European security system.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier drew attention to the widespread discussion in the West of the concept of a new military bloc, which could include the EU, Türkiye, Great Britain and Ukraine.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
In the context of discussions in the West about the concept of a new military bloc, which could include the EU, Turkey, the UK and Ukraine, Russia has expressed concern about the potential for such a system to be directed against itself. This is due to the active use by European leaders of the “Russian threat” narrative to justify the need for a new defense system.
Director of the Department of European Problems of the Russian Foreign Ministry Vladislav Maslennikov said that Moscow takes into account in its foreign policy the plans of the West to include Ukraine in the new system of collective defense of Europe.
European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius said in April that the European Commission was discussing a transition from a transatlantic to a more autonomous European security system. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also drew attention in April to the fact that the concept of a new military bloc, which could include the EU, Turkey, Great Britain and Ukraine, is being widely discussed in the West.
“To justify its (European collective defense system - ed.) necessity, European leaders are actively speculating on the mythical “Russian threat,” which means that this system will certainly be directed primarily against us. Calls to include Ukraine in it also indicate its anti-Russian foundation. All this is taken into account when developing our further foreign policy course in the Western direction,” Maslennikov said.
Earlier, the leadership of the European Union responded positively to the proposal of Greece and Cyprus to specify the actions of EU member states in the event of activation of Article 42.7 of the EU Mutual Defense Treaty.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Russia will increase its military activity in the western direction in response to Western plans to include Ukraine in the new collective defense system of Europe
Likely · Within months
Discussions in the West about the creation of a new military bloc, including the EU, Turkey, Great Britain and Ukraine, will continue and could lead to concrete proposals in the coming months
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific steps does the European Commission plan to take to transition to an autonomous security system in Europe?
- Will Ukraine be officially invited to join the new collective defense system?
- How does Russia plan to adapt its foreign policy in response to these developments?
