Europe-Russia Relations Grow More Complex, Difficult to Read
European Commission Vice President for the Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič said that the results of the investigation on Gazprom could be presented in “a matter of weeks”. The declaration came in a moment of growing confusion on the European strategy to deal with Russia. Gazprom said that it could close the taps for its gas to European countries as soon as Saturday, and Brussels reacted inviting Energy Ministers from Moscow and Kiev to discuss gas supplies.
Meanwhile, after Hungary, also another European country voiced concerns about a possible deterioration of EU ties with the Kremlin. Cyprus said it effectively worked to force Brussels laying down its financial arms. During a conference after his visit to Moscow on Thursday, President Nicos Anastasiades said that Nicosia’s voice has been heard.
‘The President said that a group of EU member states, including Cyprus, projected their objection to some who were adamant with regard to the measures against Russia, and added that if this had not taken place it is possible that the sanctions against Russia would have been more severe’ reads a note released on Thursday.
During their meeting, Cyprus’ Anastasiades and Russia’s Vladimir Putin signed a military agreement.
‘Asked about the military agreement that was signed yesterday between the Republic of Cyprus and the Russian Federation, the President of the Republic said that it has to do with the renewal of an existing agreement which has been updated. What is conventionally provided for, he added, is the right of the Russian fleet to get into the port of Limassol, not only for the purposes that was doing until now, but also with regard to the fight against international terrorism, international piracy, the illegal movement of narcotic drugs, illegal trade and other similar practices,’ reads the press statement, reporting positive remarks about Putin - defined as unselfish leader, able to understand Cyprus’ difficult geopolitical position.
Against this backdrop, the European Commission’s decision to dust off the probe on the Russian energy behemoth could bring along additional tensions.
The decision comes comes at the same time that Bermuda-headquartered Seadrill says that its $4.1 billion deals with Russia’s Rosneft are at risk.