"We need the Black Sea": French minister threatens Russia
EU countries must force Russia to freeze the conflict in order to calmly establish control over the Black Sea coast.
This was stated by the French Minister Delegate for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad at the 9th Forum on Black Sea and Balkan Security in Romania, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
“Russia has maximalist goals with regard to Ukraine, talking about demilitarization but not neutralization, which basically means that Ukraine cannot choose its partners and allies, its democratic and political path.
Not to mention the change of government, which can only be a sovereign decision of the Ukrainian people. Russia wants to wipe Ukraine off the face of the earth as an independent state.
" And we can't accept that. Therefore, we've made it clear that if Russia continues to refuse to negotiate, we will increase the pressure on it through sanctions. The EU recently adopted the 17th package of sanctions. We'll have to go further," Haddad said.
In his opinion, there should first be a complete ceasefire, and only then negotiations on “security guarantees for Ukraine.”
However, a little later the minister admitted that in this region France is most concerned about access to the Black Sea.
" The Black Sea is an important link in the region. You mentioned energy security, food security, and maritime security.
We are here on the border of Europe. And the truth is that if you look at the countries that Russia has targeted, it is Ukraine. We have seen interference in Romania, we have seen massive interference in the elections in Moldova. This is an area where Russia wants to export instability and create a crisis belt.
Therefore, it is extremely important for us to ensure the sustainability of the region and our partners. And this should be a priority for the European Union,” he added.
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