MEPs debate and vote on the reform of the direction of EU-Russia political relations during the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in Strasbourg.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - Russia (T)

vote

KUBILIUS, Andrius (EPP, LT)

foreign affairs and security policy (T)

Direction of EU-Russia political relations: extracts from the result of the vote and extracts from the debate (14/09)

SOUNDBITE (English), Andrius KUBILIUS (EPP, LT), rapporteur, We want to have good relations with Russia but it depends on Russia. With Russia led by authoritarian and agressive.domesticly and externly Poutine's regime, it's impossible to have good relations. Russia today is a great threat to EU security

SOUNDBITE (English), Andrius KUBILIUS (EPP, LT), rapporteur, We make a clear difference in our attitude to the criminal regime and to what people and Russian society was the first vicitms of such a regime. We are very critical to Poutine's regime and very positive and optimistic about the future of Russian society

SOUNDBITE (English), Andrius KUBILIUS (EPP, LT), rapporteur, It is the first time that EP gives such clear directions on the major goals of EU political relations to Russia.

SOUNDBITE (English), Andrius KUBILIUS (EPP, LT),  "Pushback" against Kremlin agressive policy of today both external and internal policy : external policy of  occupation in crimea, South Ossetia and Dombass; more effective sanctions should be better coordinated between Atlantic partners including sanctions against oligarchs, possibility of non recongnition of the legitimicy of elections if they will be stolen; effective implemantation of Green Deal as an instrument to cut EU dependence to Russian gas.

Result of the vote : Report adopted 669 votes / 494 in favor / 103 against / 72 abstentions