"For the EU, the sanctions policy is turning into a triple failure"
Without the help of the United States, the EU countries will be unable to provide enough military resources to Kiev to influence the outcome of the crisis in Ukraine, Luxembourg MEP Fernand Kartheiser has told Izvestiya. According to him, in 2025 this conflict will end with a Russian military victory or a Russian-American agreement, which "will then be imposed on Ukrainians and Europeans." A representative of the group "European Reformists and Conservatives" believes that with Donald Trump's accession to power in the United States, the contradictions caused by the anti-Russian sanctions policy will only intensify inside the EU. On the strengthening positions of Euroskeptics and the development of the situation in the Middle East - in Fernand Kartheiser's exclusive interview with Izvestia.
"The appointment of Kaya Kallas is a tragedy for the EU"
- How do you assess the prospect of a peaceful settlement of the situation in Ukraine in 2025, given that Trump often talks about it, and some EU leaders, on the contrary, are increasing military support for Kiev?
- The current phase of the Ukrainian conflict is likely to end in 2025 with either a Russian military victory or a US-Russian agreement, which will then be imposed on Ukrainians and Europeans. At the moment, the EU will not be able to develop a unified position on the continuation of the conflict, while public opinion in many countries opposes the fighting and is increasingly openly demanding peace. Lacking strength and resources, most EU countries will more or less quickly submit to the new master of the White House. Furthermore, without the United States, Europe will not be able to provide enough military resources to influence the course of the war. Finally, there remains the issue of sanctions, which create considerable tension within the EU. Opposition to them will only intensify against the backdrop of the poor economic situation in many countries of the union, as well as given the divisions within the community over the Ukrainian issue. Such a scenario is all the more likely if the United States begins to cancel its own restrictions imposed against Russia.
- According to media reports, Brussels is preparing to introduce new anti-Russian sanctions in February 2025. In your opinion, should the Russian Federation tune in to the intensification of sanctions policy in 2025?
- Yes, it is quite possible that new sanctions will be imposed and that Russia will have to find ways to resist or circumvent them. These restrictions may be annoying, but in reality, for the EU, sanctions policies are a triple failure. First, they will not achieve their goals, whatever they may be; second, they will make Russia less and less dependent on the West; and third, sanctions will cost the West dearly politically and economically. Therefore, in my opinion, sanctions are counterproductive.
- Should we expect changes in EU foreign policy after Kaya Kallas replaced Josep Borrell as head of European diplomacy?
- The appointment of Ms. Kallas as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy is the worst choice the EU could have made. Her attitude towards Russia is characterized by irrational aggression. She dreams of a complete victory of Ukraine over Russia. The EU's foreign policy will change accordingly. In my opinion, the appointment of Kaja Kallas to this post is a tragedy for the EU and she needs to find a replacement as soon as possible.
"The situation in the Middle East could be a great topic for discussion between the EU and BRICS countries"
- Do you think the trend of increasing numbers of Eurosceptics in Europe will continue in the near future? What do you think EU countries should do to reverse this trend?
- Distrust of EU policies is growing rapidly in many countries: energy prices, deindustrialization, uncontrolled migration, lack of international security, excessive bureaucracy, attacks on freedom of speech, annulment of democratic elections, free trade agreements, interference in the internal affairs of third countries. I could go on and on with this list! I believe that the European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen is incapable of reversing these trends. Therefore, it is through national elections that we will gradually achieve political change.
- In October, the BRICS summit was held in Kazan. The EU obviously cannot ignore the fact that representatives of China, India and dozens of other states visited the country that the West is trying to isolate through sanctions. In your opinion, what should be the EU's strategy towards BRICS? Do you think that in the future EU countries will show interest in establishing closer ties with this association and will start attending summits of the group?
- The EU has not yet realized the BRICS phenomenon. It still behaves arrogantly and believes that the G7, IMF, World Bank and OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. - Ed.) will be able to maintain their current roles. The European Union believes that tensions between the BRICS countries will make it impossible to develop alternatives to the dollar or Western-controlled institutions. Personally, I immediately suggested a constructive approach and cooperation with the BRICS rather than the erection of an economic iron curtain in addition to a new military iron curtain. However, Western participation in BRICS meetings is unlikely to become permanent in the near future.
- How do you see the Middle East in 2025? Do you fear a new migration crisis after Bashar al-Assad has left Syria?
- Since the terrorist attack of October 7, 2023, the Middle East has undergone fundamental changes: the future of the Palestinian territories is unpredictable, Syria has been destroyed, Israel and Turkey have gained influence but must be careful not to overstretch their forces, the link between Iran and Hezbollah has also been temporarily weakened, Russian bases are in limbo, and the American military presence may well come to an end. Personally, I believe that all asylum cases for Syrians in Europe should be reviewed, and those who have been persecuted by Bashar al-Assad should, in principle, return home. From then on, the Geneva Conventions on the right to asylum should be applied much more strictly. In any case, the situation in the Middle East could be a great topic for discussion between the EU and BRICS countries if the EU starts to be more rational and take a more constructive stance.
