As
we come closer to the New Year, I keep saying that one of the international
concerns in 2014 should be about Putin´s Russia. The EU has to revise its
strategy towards Moscow and move away from political confrontation.
Putin
loves a good fight and will be very pleased to oblige. He will answer to fire
with more fire. That will give him a chance to play on the Russian extreme
nationalism, which is deeply entrenched in many segments of the population. He
knows how to get political dividends from any foreign antagonism to the
motherland.
I
see him weaker when it comes to responding to cooperation proposals. We should look for
chances to positively engage the Russians in some of the critical international
challenges. That is the way forward in our relationship. And that will place
Putin in a defensive position.
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