1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
German coalition collapseUS election Berlin Wall

Russian Worries

jc/sh, afp/dpaApril 28, 2009

After meeting with his EU counterparts in Luxembourg, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Kremlin wasn't exactly thrilled at the bloc's Eastern European policies. But relations are still improving.

https://p.dw.com/p/Hg2o
Sergei Lavrov
Lavrov and Moscow often view the West with misgivingsImage: AP

Lavrov was visiting Luxembourg for a meeting of the Russia-EU "permanent partnership council", but the tone wasn't always conciliatory.

In particular, Russia isn't happy with the EU's Eastern Partnership scheme, which seeks to tighten the bloc's connections with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova.

The EU says the initiative is aimed at stabilizing and modernizing those six countries by encouraging free-market and pro-democracy reforms in return for EU aid. But Moscow is viewing the partnership with a wary eye.

"I have to say that some of the comments we have heard about this initiative from the European Union do worry us," Lavrov told the press.

Still Lavrov's remarks fell far short of comments he made in March, in which he accused the EU of trying to build up a "sphere of influence" among former Soviet republics.

"He knows himself it's nonsense," Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, said ahead of Tuesday's meeting.

The EU is scheduled to hold the inaugural meeting of its Eastern Partnership scheme in Prague on May 7.

Skip next section Explore more

Explore more

Anti-communist demonstrators hold the Moldovan flag outside the presidential palace Monday April 6, 2009 in Chisinau, Moldova.

Unrest in Moldova brings complicated state into international focus

Unrest in Moldova brings complicated state into international focus

The current unrest in Moldova over disputed election results has turned the international spotlight on the small former Soviet state and its complicated relationship with Europe and Russia. (08.04.2009)
April 8, 2009
EU and Russian flags

EU's New Eastern Partnership Draws Ire From Russia

EU's New Eastern Partnership Draws Ire From Russia

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized on Saturday the European Union's new partnership with six former Soviet states, suggesting the 27-member bloc was seeking to extend its own sphere of influence. (21.03.2009)
March 21, 2009
A worker standing next to large gas pipes

EU, Ukraine Set to Overhaul Gas Network as New Gas Row Looms

EU, Ukraine Set to Overhaul Gas Network as New Gas Row Looms

The European Union and Ukraine are set to agree on a program of political reforms and physical repairs to the former Soviet state's gas network, officials said. But if Ukraine can't pay, Europe may not get any gas. (21.03.2009)
March 21, 2009