Russia is not a strategic partner but a 'strategic problem' for the EU
(Baonghean.vn) - That was the statement of European Council (EC) President Donald Tusk, when he said that his main focus is to maintain European solidarity, which "the Kremlin's aggressive policy" is the main challenge.
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| Mr. Donald Tusk. Photo: AP |
The outgoing EC leader said that, throughout his five-year term, he had assured European leaders that Russia was a “strategic problem”, not a “strategic partner” for the European Union (EU).
“I have to publicly remind others, almost weekly, that Russia is not our ‘strategic partner,’ but our ‘strategic problem.’ I have even been labeled an ‘obsessive’ person because I focus so much on this topic,” he said in a speech at the Europe School in Bruges on November 13.
According to Tusk, his main focus is to maintain European unity and solidarity, which “the Kremlin's aggressive policy” is the main challenge.
“I was and still am convinced that what is at stake in this game is not only the future of an independent Ukraine and the security of Central Europe, including my own country, but also the sovereignty of Europe as a political entity,” he continued. “And I have no doubt that Putin’s strategic goal is not only to regain control over the former Soviet territories, but also to systematically weaken the EU by provoking internal divisions.”
Mr Tusk insisted his efforts had finally “paid off”. “We have maintained our unity, including on the issue of sanctions, throughout my entire term,” he said.
