During the EP plenary session (16- 19 April 2018) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the situation in Russia. Statements by Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Sandra KALNIETE (EPP, LV), Anna Elżbieta FOTYGA (ECR, PL), Petras AUSTREVICIUS (ALDE, LT) and Rebecca HARMS (Greens/EFA, DE).

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - Russia (T)

FOTYGA, Anna (ECR, PL)

STYLIANIDES, Christos (CY, EC)

KALNIETE, Sandra (EPP, LV)

AUŠTREVIČIUS, Petras (Renew, LT)

HARMS, Rebecca (Greens/EFA, DE)

Situation in Russia: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, We have seen an evolving pattern of a challenging Russian behaviour in many different fields. Central to these challenges is of course the situation in the Ukraine, where Russia's illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula, and at the same time the destabilisation of Eastern Ukraine continue to this day. Yesterday's Foreign Affairs Council also discussed how the EU and its Member States will take foward its decision to strengthen resilience to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear-related risks as well as bolster capabilities to address hybrid threats including in the areas of cyber, strategic communication and counter-intelligence.

SOUNDBITE (English), Sandra KALNIETE (EPP, LV), The recent use of chemical weapons on European soil and in Syria, the continous war against Ukraine, cyber attacks in cyber space have just once again reaffirmed the need to deter further aggressive acts of Russia. While I welcome the re-iterance of new sanctions on Syrians linked to the the April 7th gas attack, it would only be logical to extend similar measures to their Russian patrons.

SOUNDBITE (English), Anna El&#380;bieta FOTYGA (ECR, PL), The posture of Russia against the West including the EU is more and more aggressive. Also modalities of our so called selected engagement with Russia, are not so clear.

SOUNDBITE (English), Petras AUSTREVICIUS (ALDE, LT), We are facing a 21st Century Cold War. Different from the previous one, and undeclared, more hybrid and less  ideological.Colleagues, to deter Russia's aggressions, our response must be based on sanctions and unity. I strongly believe must be imposed, this time to target specifically those Russian tycoons and oligarchs, true enablers of Putin, who fund billions cost of operations, such as propaganda campaigns or mercenaries sent to Syria or Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (German), Rebecca HARMS (Greens/EFA, DE), The EU has never really declared Russia or the Kremlin the enemy. I have been observing the situation for some time now, particulary since the annexation of Crimea and the war in Donbass, you know there how been other events to of course, bombing of Syria, Aleppo, by way of an example, or the toxic gas attack in the UK. I think that, as time goes by, things are becoming more clear. This is a signal coming from Russia vis-a-vis the West. They want to demonstrate that Russia is strong, and that Russia is acting against what we have done in the West.