Media learned about Russia’s intention to “take an inventory” relations with the EU – RBC

The building of the Russian Foreign Ministry

Photo: Yekaterina Kuzmina / RBC

Russia is not satisfied with the current stage of relations with the EU, and it plans to revise them, told “Kommersant” newspaper, the Russian diplomatic sources. To develop a new long-term strategy of relations with Moscow and the EU intend

The Russian Foreign Ministry intends to “take an inventory” ties with the EU, he told the newspaper “Kommersant” Russian diplomatic source. “The current stage of relations, we also are not satisfied,” – said the source publication, commenting on the scheduled Monday meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the European Union, which, according to sources of the newspaper, will discuss bilateral relations between Brussels and Moscow

In particular,. source in the EU institutions told “Kommersant” that the European heads of foreign policy departments of March 14 will try to take a step towards a new long-term strategy with regard to Russia. “Against the background of the events of the last two years in the European capitals have come to the conclusion that in any case return to the relations with Russia in the spirit of business as usual can not be. Now we really have no common vision of relations with Russia, there are only sanctions, but can not last forever. We need a new normal [ «new normality"] – a long-term cooperation strategy with Russia in the new conditions, “- he explained

Another source in the EU structures, he said after talks on Monday are expected concrete decisions.. According to him, the meeting will take place in the “brainstorming” format, “the results of which can result in something concrete on these consultations.” No prepared proposals for the Foreign Ministers of the EU by the European Commission will not, he stressed.

Russian diplomatic source in conversation with “Kommersant” in this case pointed out that without the removal of Russia from the main part of the sanctions go to any it was a “new normality” will not work.

The diplomat representing in Moscow one of the key EU countries, told the newspaper that the main obstacle to “meaningful discussions” about a possible softening of anti-Russian sanctions is “the lack of progress in the implementation of even first, it would seem the easiest points of the Minsk agreements. We are talking about a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine and the disqualification of heavy weapons. Another European diplomat told the publication that the decision in the coming months the European Union of any solutions to significantly weaken the sanctions unlikely. Against such steps, he said, the United States supports.

March 11 “RIA Novosti” and TASS reported with reference to high-ranking sources in the EU, that the heads of member states of the EU Foreign Minister on Monday to discuss relations with Russia, but not sanctions policy and the implementation of the Minsk agreements. Interlocutor “RIA Novosti” stressed that the policy of Brussels “is characterized by firmness and unity,” and that the meeting is not scheduled any “discussion of the revision of our [EU] policy,” no “or to discuss sanctions implementation of the Minsk agreements” (quoted by RIA Novosti). “This is a policy discussion. The ministers will discuss the state of affairs in relations with Russia, what was the situation and how it has changed over the past two years. Council Conclusions is not expected “, – he said

According to a source TASS, the EU leaders decided to include in the agenda of the Council’s relations with Russia, since the last time the ministers talked about it in January 2015.. “Now is a good opportunity in a relaxed atmosphere to take stock and renew our policies, emphasize the need for the unity of the EU”, – he said (quoted by TASS).