DISINFO: Eastern Partnership - an instrument of energy colonialism
SUMMARY
Real priority goals of the Eastern Partnership are: -expansion of the political and economic influence of the West in the post-Soviet space and the simultaneous narrowing of Russian influence; -expulsion of Russia from the Caucasus and the final consolidation of the separation of the post-Soviet republics from it; -reorientation of the post-Soviet republics towards Poland, the EU and NATO and the simultaneous “erosion” and creation of a counterbalance to the CIS and the CSTO; -integration of the regional energy sector, infrastructure and markets of the post-Soviet republics with the EU and energy transit bypassing Russia (from the southern, Caucasian-Caspian direction). In exchange for the West’s control over the energy transit sphere and infrastructure, post-Soviet limitrophes are offered a “special status” of relations with the EU and the ability to beg for loans from it. In fact the five priorities of Eastern Partnership after 2020 are an economical instrument of energy colonialism, turning the post-Soviet space into a resource appendage of the West, pushing Russia into North-East of Eurasia and creating an energy “cordon sanitaire” along the border of Russia.
RESPONSE
A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation message about Eastern Partnership accusing the EU of separating Russia from its neighbours. Message appeared after EU and Eastern Partnership leaders meeting in June 2020. The Eastern Partnership (EaP) is a joint policy initiative which aims to deepen and strengthen relations between the European Union (EU), its Member States and its six Eastern neighbours: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. Read more about the Eastern Partnership and its priorities here. The Eastern Partnership initiative is not against Russia or any other country; it is a mutually beneficial and constructive platform for countries in the region to build a closer relationship with the EU if they so choose. The EU does not demand that any of its partners need to make a choice between the EU or any other countries. The EaP respects the individual aspirations and ambition of each partner country. The EU does not impose any action or programme on the partner countries. The overall aim of cooperation is to build a common area of shared democracy, prosperity and stability in line with each individual country's aspirations. Involvement in the EaP initiative does not exclude membership in the Eurasian Economic Union, CIS or CSTO. The EU is a supporter of regional integration in all areas of the world. But its support is based on the free choice of the participating countries and the respect for international law, including the respect for international borders. See similar cases claiming that Eastern Partnership aimed at weakening Russia’s geopolitical influence, that Eastern Partnership is about external control and disintegration, or Eastern Partnership is an imitation of integration to alienate post-Soviet states and Russia, that EaP is an aggressive Russophobic project directed against Russia and a concealed form of colonisation. Read more on the most repeated myths about the Eastern Partnership initiative here.