Europe is Bucking the UK: Continental Leaders Do Not Want to Take Anglo Marching Orders
The EU countries and their allies fell victim to a brutal attack from the UK with the support of the US. Continental Europe was required to expel Russian diplomats in solidarity with London. The Europeans who didn't receive any proof of Russia's guilt in the Skripals' poisoning case had to just trust Theresa May and Boris Johnson, and expel the diplomats. In this sense, Europe would be pro-Britain. The EU was pressured like never before.
As a result, the most pro-Britain country on the continent was Ukraine. It's a European champion in expelling Russian diplomats. However, it's unclear whether Ukraine has become more like the UK, or the UK has become more like Ukraine.
Mikhail Antonov reports about the creeping European Ukrainization, at the instigation of London.
19 EU countries have participated in the mass expulsion of Russian diplomats. Their actions are organized and systematic, expelling 1-4 diplomats each. Large countries expel more, small countries expel less. Acting on the orders of NATO; Albania, Norway, and Montenegro have joined in on the action. Iceland wanted to join in, but it's too small. Expulsion of even one of the 3 diplomats they have would paralyze the work of the Embassy. Macedonia, Moldova, and Georgia made speeches towing the line of the EU's narrative. Answering the question of who wants to be in the EU and NATO the most, Ukraine has declared 13 Russians personae non-gratae.
For the majority of people, it's a new, exciting experience. This is how they move shoulder-to-shoulder against Russian spies with chemical weapons. Politicians and bureaucrats are in the lead, followed by the media troops.
Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Minister of Foreign Affairs: "We want to have an honest, demanding dialogue with Moscow. We don't want any ambiguity, and we ask them to respect international law".
Riner Broile, German MFA rep: "The EU countries have agreed with the UK's investigation results that Russia is highly likely to be behind the attack, and there are no other plausible versions".
Der Spiegel: "Society hasn't yet been presented with hard evidence that it was Russia who has ordered the assassination. Either way, who would believe that the UK doesn't have convincing proof, if Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Italy have joined in on the penalty measures. Usually, they have a conciliatory attitude towards Moscow".
Well, since Hungary and Czech Republic are expelling diplomats, there must be a reason. Too many things don't go with this incredible logic. In the Czech Republic, there are government-level discussions between President Zeman, who demands the Salisbury events to be investigated, and Prime Minister Babiš, who's angry with the insinuation that his country continues to develop chemical weapons, and who's been personally asked by May for a favor.
Andrej Babiš, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic: "Theresa May has directly asked me to support her point of view, along with the decision made by the EU summit to support the UK government that the Russian Federation is responsible for the attempted murder of two people."
President Zeman: "As far as I know, the UK hasn't offered any proof yet. They have allegations, but allegations are not proof. I'd like to see at least some proof on the table".
During the latest EU summit, Theresa May has worked on her colleagues in groups and separately. However, 9 EU countries were on the side of common sense in the conflict with political viability. Austria strongly disagreed to join in on the anti-Russian gestures. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz might even be a mediator in the Russian-European relationship. Their Foreign Affairs rep, Karin Kneissl, confirmed, 'If our partners ask us, we're up for it.' Greece, Portugal, Malta, and Cyprus didn't buy the 'dead cat' either. Bulgaria, Luxembourg, and Slovakia also refused to ‘crap’ with the UK's Prime Minister.
Peter Pellegrini, Slovakia's PM: "Allegations of Russia's 'highly likely' guilt aren't enough for Slovakia. I must be sure since I am responsible for my country. Pressuring us is pointless, we won't support this decision purely for theatrics".
Using the same terms, these events are reminiscent of a bad play based on a mystery novel, with the most interesting and important part of the story removed — the investigation. Nobody, not even the people with security clearance, like the German Parliamentarians, knows where anything is coming from.
Steffen Korte, the AfD deputy in Bundestag: “The deputies have access to classified information, which means they could've given us proof even if it's classified. However, we didn't receive any".
Stefan Meister, a political expert: "I think that the German society is very skeptical about the expulsion of the diplomats. In general, Germany's foreign policy towards Russia is causing more doubts for the Germans. German society insists on cooperation and dialogue with Moscow. Germans want to see more hard evidence of Russia's involvement. I can even say we're dealing with a split within the country. The government's tough position only causes the people to be even more critical".
The new German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Heiko Maas, has already received criticism from his colleagues in the Social-Democratic Party. He's adjusted his attitude. There are countries in Europe that are always ready to support any provocation with anti-Russian solidarity. However, Germany and France are not among them. Forgive and forget.
This week, German authorities have fully confirmed the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project. And French President Macron doesn't even think of canceling his May visit to Moscow. For the core of the EU, the voluntary participation in this symbolic deportation parade is obviously a reason to turn down some potential mass nasty trick.
Of course, London has tried to build a united European front. At the same time, they've uncovered disunity and resentment that Old Continental Europe has been feeling towards them recently. Like in any good old politics, there are things that are obvious and things that are hidden. Last week, the UK politics have appeared in all their glory and poverty.
Mikhail Antonov, Aleksandr Korostylev, Denis Lisitsyn, and Andrey Putra. Vesti News of the Week, Germany.