The Foreign Affairs Committee review the EU's policy vis-à-vis Russia and propose a new EU-Russia strategy. The draft resolution covers a wide range of issues, such as deterring Russian security threats, fighting Russian interference, EU engagement to support democracy in Russia, sanctions policy, media freedom and human rights. Andrius KUBILIUS (EPP, LT), rapporteur, makes a statement following the votes on the report in the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Committee on Foreign Affairs

Brussels

statement

EU - Russia (T)

KUBILIUS, Andrius (EPP, LT)

Direction of EU-Russia political relations in AFET committee: statement by Andrius KUBILIUS (EPP, LT), rapporteur

SOUNDBITE (English), Andrius KUBILIUS (EPP, LT), We are basically using the terminology which was invented by Josep Borrell, very good terminology : 'push back, contain and engage'. Push back on the aggressive behaviour of Russia outside of Russia and against domestic aggressive repressions, which we see now. Contain: contain hybrid threats, which Kremlin is very good in implementing everywhere and not only on European continent, but, you know, even in the United States. And engage, first of all strategically with a democratic society of Russia using all the possible means.

SOUNDBITE (English), Andrius KUBILIUS (EPP, LT), Now, some kind of tectonic conflict between undemocratic Russia and Europe is existing and Russia of President Putin is becoming the biggest threat for geopolitical security of Europe. That's the reason why we need to have a much more clear strategy, how to help Russia to transform itself. And I think that history teaches us that really Russia also is a European country and Russian people can make a transformation of Russia back to democracy.

SOUNDBITE (English), Andrius KUBILIUS (EPP, LT), Europe can look into other possibilities. What was said even before our report, you know, in the previous resolution of the European Parliament, for example, to introduce so-called 'swift sanctions', I mean, to disconnect the Russian financial system from international banking systems, so-called 'swift system' than Europe can implement much more effectively. There are which are introduced through the Green Deal, diminishing Europe's dependency on gas and oil supplies from Russia, which will make again big impact on Russia's development.