Moscow also clearly does not count on an EU role in the upcoming talks with US and NATO over Europe’s security architecture. Existing EU sanctions on his regime would need to be better coordinated with Europe’s allies to fill the existing loopholes. Any need to manage the influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Middle East, Asia and Africa could likely take precedence over investing more into its near neighbourhood, EU diplomats fear. But with French President Emmanuel Macron focused on his reelection campaign, some in Brussels fear the process could become trapped in a push for more French security objectives. Several member states have reservations about its cost, to the fact it doesn’t adequately address Russia’s assertive behaviour in Europe’s backyard, or that it could potentially duplicate NATO efforts.

Source: Ethiopian News January 03, 2022 09:58 UTC