Russia has lost influence and friends since the collapse of the Soviet empire in 1989.
FILE - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a media conference at the Europa building in Brussels, June 5, 2019. Russia lost influence and friends since the collapse of the Soviet empire in 1989. But the nuclear superpower still holds sway over several of its neighbors in Europe and keeps others in an uneasy neutrality.
Piling on the pressure, he said,"So do prove that you are with us. Do prove that you will not let us go. Do prove that you indeed are Europeans.” Within days, conventional knowledge of who belongs where on the geopolitical map of the continent has been badly shaken.Many nations fear an immediate enlargement of the bloc and a reshaping of traditional spheres of influence would put the continent on the brink of a full-fledged war. And there is no better example than Ukraine’s aspirations to join the 27-nation EU that could tilt the balance of blocs in Europe.
The leaders of eight eastern member states officially backed Ukraine and one of them, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday.Kallas insisted that “it’s not only in our interest to give Ukraine a membership perspective, it is also our moral duty to do so. Ukraine is not fighting for Ukraine. It’s also fighting for Europe. If not now, then when?”After Zelenskyy's emotional address last week, Rutte spoke with him on the phone Tuesday.
In the draft closing statement of Versailles summit on Russia, seen by The Associated Press, the leaders “invited the Commission to submit its opinion on this application. Pending this and without delay, we will further strengthen our bonds and deepen our partnership.” It was leaning more Rutte's way than the one Kallas wants.“You have to be careful because it is a bureaucratic, tedious process,” Rutte said in a debate at the Paris Sciences Po university.
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