Why would Europe not agree on how to deal with the Ukraine crisis? | | Ukraine-Russia Problems Issues

It’s been three weeks since then diplomatic talks Problem solving in Ukraine began. But Russian troops are still on the border between Ukraine and Russia.

Although the Kremlin has rejected any plans to attack Ukraine, US and NATO officials have revived their military plans to prepare for all that may happen.

But European Union leaders remain divided on what they can say that could prevent the Kremlin from threatening Ukraine.

EU officials have complained about the rejection of Ukraine’s major elections, with Josep Borrell, foreign policy chief, saying that “any talks on security in Europe should affect the EU and Ukraine”.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the EU to implement an agreement to hold talks with Russia.

Speaking to members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in Strasbourg last week, he said the security and stability policy should “be built first among the people of Europe, and shared with NATO allies”.

But not all EU countries are allies with Macron.

Some have a difficult history with Russia, preferring the Atlantic response, rather than another EU ideology.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the EU to “maintain the unity of all EU member states in the protection of the sovereignty and sovereignty of Ukraine”.

Bruno Lete, director of the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) in Brussels, told Al Jazeera: “Some EU countries have foreign policy aimed at appeasing Russia. Their aim is to undermine the Kremlin’s independent relations with China and to improve their economic relations with Russia.

“The Eastern European countries, which have faced the Kremlin’s threats in the past, have foreign policy that seeks to respond to Russia through military action that demonstrates strength and power. That is why this leads to instability in responding to Ukraine’s crisis.”

These differences have led Russia to reduce EU political power, according to Ivana Stradner, a colleague at the American Enterprise Institute, working on Russia and cybersecurity.

“The Kremlin’s decision to abolish the EU in the 2021 National Security Strategy shows that Moscow no longer views the EU as politically important,” he told Al Jazeera.

Germany looks away

As tensions with Russia intensified, the US placed 8,500 troops on alert to send them to Eastern Europe.

NATO forces have intensified their efforts, sending troops to Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia.

Countries such as Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands will also send military aid to strengthen Ukraine against Russian atrocities.

And Poland is considering expanding its presence in Eastern Europe – a move that Russia opposes.

In the meantime, France is in action more negotiations with Russia in order to reduce the risk.

But foreign law experts have criticized senior players like Germany who are looking for a diplomatic rise in the sidelines.

“In the case of Germany, the new government did not come out as strong as it should be in spreading the problem because of its economic ties with Russia and its dependence on institutions. Nord Stream 2 Gas Pipeline. But that also makes Germany look weak, “Rachel Rizzo, head of the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center, told Al Jazeera.

However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz last week announced that the suspension of Nord Stream 2 could be considered a threat to Russia.

Berlin has refused to support the war in Ukraine by refusing to send weapons to the country, however he promised medical treatment.

“Germany’s choice to rely solely on Russian gas now allows Moscow to use force as a weapon against the EU and NATO,” Stradner told Al Jazeera.

“In contrast to the ignorance of much of Western Europe, countries that suffered under the Soviet regime understand Putin’s threats and support Ukraine. One thing is certain, Russia is happy to see the EU divided and divided, which has been Moscow’s goal for many years,” “he said.

In an effort to reach an agreement on the crisis, US President Joe Biden telephoned EU leaders this week, calling it a “very good meeting”.

“Full cooperation with all European leaders. We will discuss it later,” he told reporters at the White House.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also tweeted, “We acknowledge that Russia’s atrocities against Ukraine will cost a lot of money.”

Speaking on the future of security in Europe at a ceremony in Brussels this week, Borrell reiterated the EU-US alliance with NATO.

“A major European position is the best way to promote transatlantic cooperation. It is not the EU or NATO: it is all / and, and he said,” he said.

EU leaders have also been at loggerheads over sanctions against Russia.

Leaders have been arguing over trade restrictions, tougher sanctions and Russia’s cutting off of technical and financial markets.

But Lete explained that while sanctions require the cooperation of the 27 EU countries and should be negotiated with the US and other Western countries, one thing the EU can agree on is that if Ukraine collapses, all European security structures collapse.

Rizzo agreed and said the EU should build a cohesive culture.

“Putin will continue to see the EU as stable if he sees no agreement. This has been the case so far, which has led him to negotiate directly with the US,” he told Al Jazeera.

“Until the EU puts the power of communication behind the talks, it will continue to be pushed aside,” he added.