EU explains why some countries sent representatives to Putin's "inauguration"

Although the head of the EU’s foreign policy agency, Josep Borrell, advised EU member states not to send representatives to Vladimir Putin's so-called "inauguration", individual countries retain the ability to make their own foreign policy decisions.

Source: Peter Stano, the spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, during a briefing in Brussels on 7 May, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Stano gave a reminder that the EU as an entity was not represented by its ambassador at the "inauguration" in Moscow. The EU diplomat had received advice on the matter from the EU's foreign policy service and declined to participate.

However, member states are entitled to choose whether to be represented at the so-called inauguration, Stano said.

Quote from Stano: "These are decisions they take based on their competence, based on their national sovereignty, because in the end, this is about bilateral relations."

Stano said the countries that did decide to send representatives to Putin's "inauguration" should provide an explanation themselves as to why they did so.

"The High Representative this morning described why he thinks it is not for the EU’s good to participate in an event involving Putin," he explained.

Borrell said on Tuesday morning that he had advised EU countries not to send representatives to the "inauguration" of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

According to media reports, diplomats from at least six EU countries – France, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Hungary and Slovakia – have decided to attend Putin's "inauguration" on 7 May. 

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that it sees no grounds for Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to be recognised as the democratically elected and legitimate president of Russia.

Support UP or become our patron!