Russia-EU communication prospects depend on EU reconsidering anti-Russian policy: diplomat
Quick Look
- Russia's communication with the EU hinges on European leaders reconsidering their anti-Russian foreign policy and respecting Moscow's interests, according to Vladislav Maslennikov, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's department of European affairs.
- He noted that while Russia seeks dialogue, the EU has yet to decide on a negotiator or what to discuss.
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Why It Matters
Vladislav Maslennikov, a director at the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that the future of communication between Russia and the European Union depends on the EU's willingness to change its current foreign policy towards Russia and to respect Russia's legitimate interests. He expressed doubt about the EU's readiness for meaningful dialogue.
MOSCOW, May 26. /TASS/. The prospects of communication between Russia and the European Union depend on whether European leaders will be ready to reconsider their anti-Russian foreign policy, Vladislav Maslennikov, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s department of European affairs, told Izvestia in an interview.
"The prospects of our communication with the EU directly hinge on whether its leadership is actually willing to reconsider the anti-Russian foreign policy course and duly respect our legitimate interests," the diplomat said. Moscow has not rejected dialogue with Europe, on the contrary, it has always sought to "resolve differences with its Western neighbors through diplomacy," he emphasized.
At present, "it’s difficult to talk about Brussels’ readiness to revive any meaningful dialogue with our country," Maslennikov added. "So far, everything has been reduced to intra-EU speculations on the candidacy of a potential EU negotiator. However, EU officials have yet to decide exactly what they would negotiate with Moscow. But if they will be able to negotiate at all is a big question," the senior Russian diplomat concluded.
Open Questions
- Will the EU leadership reconsider its anti-Russian foreign policy?
- What specific legitimate interests of Russia does the EU fail to respect?
- Has the EU decided on a potential negotiator for talks with Moscow?
- What specific topics would the EU be willing to negotiate with Moscow?
