From the European Voice: In selling warships to Russia, France’s risks nourishing delusions and selling short the idea of a common EU security policy. …
It is sometimes said that Germany has become a ‘second France’ in its ‘selfish’ approach to the European Union. But is France really on its way to becoming a ‘second Germany’? If Germany is Russia’s main economic partner, why should not France be its principal strategic partner? …
France should not delude itself. There is nothing inherently wrong in selling weapons to Russia, but by so doing one merely plays into the hands of Putin’s effort to reinforce his policy of domination over Russia’s ‘near-abroad’. The sale of such warships will not positively affect the balance of power within Russia, but it will affect the regional balance of power – in favour of Russia.
What is clear is that any ambition to define a common European energy and security policy toward Russia is slowly disappearing. From Berlin to Paris, and from Paris to Rome, European leaders may ultimately be doing the same thing, but they are all doing it separately, as competitors vying for Russian favour rather than as partners within a supposedly tight-knit Union. (photo: Reuters)
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