European Council President Charles Michel said in an interview published on Saturday that he was in favor of the European Union opening its doors to Russian citizens who are conscientious objectors and who ignore Russian President Vladimir Putin’s call.
In an interview with the American newspaper Politicothe European leader says the bloc has to show a certain “openness to those who don’t want to be instrumentalized by the Kremlin.”
“The European Union must welcome those who are in danger because of their political views. If the people in Russia are in danger because of their political views, for not following this crazy decision by the Kremlin to launch this war in Ukraine, we must take that.” “. into account.” “said Michel.
Michel’s remarks come just two days before the “27” are to hold an emergency meeting at the ambassadorial level, where new measures and sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine are expected to be announced.
The possibility of the EU opening its doors to Russian citizens comes in a context in which the bloc has just agreed to suspend the visa facilitation agreement with Russia, after the insistence of several states.
Some EU members insisted on suspending this agreement because they consider it unethical that while Moscow launches a war in Ukraine, Russian citizens come to Europe to travel and vacation.
In another interview, broadcast today by the BBC, the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, defended the need to seek a “diplomatic solution” to the war in Ukraine that maintains “the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of the country.
“This is a dangerous moment because the Russian army has been cornered and Putin’s (Russian President Vladimir Putin) reaction to the threat of using nuclear weapons is very bad,” the head of European diplomacy told British public broadcaster .
Borrell stressed that the solution to the conflict must go through the negotiation table: “Otherwise, we can end the war, but we will not achieve peace, because we will have another war,” he said.
The diplomat added that the EU must continue to support the Ukrainian military and apply sanctions against Russia, while stressing his concern about the rising cost of energy as a result of the war.
“People in my country tell me that the price of gasoline means they can’t continue working, they can’t continue with their business,” said the Spanish politician.
Borrell called on Putin to play a role in moving toward a negotiated solution: “It takes two to tango,” he said.
“Everyone who went to Moscow, to the Kremlin, to talk to Putin, came back with the same answer: ‘I (Putin) have military goals and if I don’t achieve those military goals, I will continue the war.'” “, he stressed.
Source: TSF
