Belgian Renew Europe MEP Yvan Verougstraete told Guildhall that Russia’s actions toward Georgia and Armenia reflect a broader Kremlin strategy aimed at preserving zones of influence through pressure, coercion and instability.
How do you assess Russia’s recent actions toward Georgia and Armenia?
Russia’s recent actions confirm a pattern that we have observed for many years: the Kremlin continues to view its neighbours not as fully sovereign states, but as territories that should remain within its sphere of influence.
The ratification of the treaty with South Ossetia is deeply concerning. It further undermines Georgia’s territorial integrity and sends a signal that Russia is unwilling to respect the sovereignty of its neighbours or the principles of international law.
The pressure exerted on Armenia follows the same logic. Every sovereign nation has the right to choose its own political future, its partnerships and its path of development. Suggesting that closer cooperation with the European Union would inevitably lead to a “Ukrainian scenario” is an attempt to intimidate countries that seek to exercise that sovereign choice.
These developments are not isolated events. They illustrate a broader strategy aimed at preserving zones of influence through pressure, coercion and instability rather than through cooperation and mutual respect.
What should be the European Union’s response to these developments?
The European Union must remain clear, united and consistent.
First, we must continue to support the sovereignty, territorial integrity and democratic choices of countries such as Georgia, Armenia and Ukraine.
Second, Europe must demonstrate that choosing closer relations with the European Union brings tangible benefits. Economic cooperation, investment, connectivity, institutional support and people-to-people exchanges are powerful tools to strengthen resilience against external pressure.
Third, the European Union must continue to invest in its own strategic strength. Russia respects power and exploits weakness. Europe therefore needs stronger defence capabilities, greater energy independence and a more coherent foreign policy if it wants to be a credible geopolitical actor.
What measures of pressure could be applied to compel the Russian Federation to abandon its expansionist ambitions?
There is no single measure that will change the Kremlin’s behaviour overnight. What is required is sustained and coordinated pressure.
The European Union and its partners must continue to increase the cost of aggression through sanctions, restrictions on strategic technologies, the reduction of economic dependencies and stronger enforcement against circumvention.
At the same time, support for Ukraine remains essential. The outcome of Russia’s war against Ukraine will shape the security architecture of Europe for decades. A Russian victory would encourage further destabilisation, while a failure of aggression would send a very different message.
Ultimately, peace and stability in Europe cannot be built on concessions to imperial ambitions. They can only be built on respect for sovereignty, international law and the right of nations to determine their own future.
Exclusively for Guildhall.
Только главные новости в нашем Telegram, Facebook и GoogleNews!
Tweet