Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany and Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, in Moscow. Art Widak/Demotix. All rights reserved.The European Union and Russia have drifted apart dangerously over the war in Ukraine. Although resolving the situation should be a top priority in EU capitals, Moscow and beyond, it has been allowed to continue and fester. Its importance has been relegated because of other international events such as the refugee crisis and the Greek financial meltdown.
Things may seem to be under control, but this illusion can change with a single incident, as shown by the MH17 disaster and subsequent fallout. We must deal with Ukraine and ultimately find a solution acceptable to all parts of Ukrainian society.
In order to secure long-term peace and prosperity in Europe and potentially beyond, a mutually beneficial arrangement between the European Union and Russia is needed. For obvious reasons, in mid-2015 this seems virtually impossible.
