EU defies Russian ‘bully’ but disappoints ex-Soviets

European Union leaders met six ex-Soviet neighbors on Thursday in Riga, rejecting Russian “bullying” in the 18 months since their last summit in a once Kremlin-ruled EU capital sparked conflict in Ukraine. Yet a wariness among Europe’s great powers about provoking President Vladimir Putin has curbed ambition in Brussels and the most pro-Western leaders of the six “Eastern Partnership” countries could not entirely hide their disappointment at a lack of firmer promises of eventual membership of the bloc.

Beauty does count; if Russia were a bit softer, more charming, more attractive, perhaps it wouldn’t have to compensate for its shortcomings by destructive, aggressive and bullying tactics against its neighbors.

Summit chair Donald Tusk

Officials were still drafting a joint communique for Friday that could satisfy all 34 delegations. That underscored what diplomats call “differentiated” EU relations with neighbors who include Ukraine and Georgia, which have seen fighting with Russia, and Armenia and Belarus, more sympathetic to Putin. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko insisted he was not disappointed with a draft joint statement that will reaffirm on Friday only Kiev and others’ “European aspirations”. But he stressed that the “perspective” of EU accession remained a goal.

Europe Riga