MENDING TIES WITH RUSSIA

There is a need for the EU to engage in normalization of political relations with Russia. Official contacts between the European Parliament, the State Duma and the Russian Federation Council are currently frozen. In view of the dramatic developments in many regions of the world which can only be solved through coordinated policies of the global community, there is a need to restoring dialogue between the EU and Russia.

Parliaments should play a key role in this situation of tense relations between the EU and Moscow. The delegations of the European Parliament and the State Duma must urgently resume their direct dialogue. Therefore, as a first step, all parliamentarians should be withdrawn from the blacklists of the EU and the Russian Federation.

The sanctions that were imposed on Russia by the EU have had negative consequences on the people. It is highly important to find a peaceful solution and the parliaments have a very important role to play in this situation. Unfortunately, the sanctions that were imposed on the members of the State Duma exclude any possibility of resuming the direct dialogue with the EU.

Each initiative of the Russian government – the reaction to NATO expansion at the EU's Eastern borders in the Ukraine, the Eurasian Economic Community, the Russian military intervention in Syria – is interpreted in Europe as a provocation or a disturbing factor, and this misconception contributes to deep resentment among the Russian elite.

The forums for discussions in the spheres of trade and economic cooperation where the sides discussed the issues of mutual interest have been frozen and scientific ties have been suspended, and culture remains the only remaining sphere of contacts.

There is a need for a sober evaluation of Russia's and EU’s interests. We should make every effort to overcome the current ‘confident crisis’ between Russia and the EU.