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Putin visits EU amid Ukraine poll tension
Reuters, UK
Nov 25 2004
THE HAGUE (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin is meeting
European Union leaders in The Hague for a summit that is expected to
focus on strained ties over Ukraine's disputed presidential election.
The Union has called on Ukrainian authorities to investigate complaints
about the elections, which it said fell short of international
democratic standards. Russia has accused Europe of meddling and
inciting violence in the former Soviet state.
Putin was welcomed to the Dutch seat of government on Thursday by
Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, who holds the EU's rotating
presidency. The two men shook hands, smiled and waved at photographers
but did not address waiting journalists.
Mass protests over the Ukraine vote have entered their fourth day
and pro-Western opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko has called for a
general strike to protest at official results showing Prime Minister
Viktor Yanukovich won the election.
Moscow backed Yanukovich throughout the campaign and congratulated
him on his victory before official results.
The Netherlands, speaking on behalf of the EU presidency, demanded
in a statement late on Wednesday that irregularities reported by
international observers be rectified and has said it is sending a
special envoy to Ukraine to meet political leaders.
"The EU has noted that the second round of the presidential elections
last Sunday has fallen far short of international standards for
democratic elections," it said. "The EU does not believe these results
reflect the will of the Ukrainian people."
Relations with Russia were already tense before the Ukraine crisis
over the EU's desire for greater engagement with countries that Moscow
sees as in its sphere of influence.
The bloc expanded in May to take in 10 new members, most of them in
the former communist east, and wants to promote democracy and human
rights in countries now bordering it, and help resolve conflicts in
Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Moscow resists this, fearing a further loss of prestige it has suffered
since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Following EU enlargement, Russia now sends 55 percent of its exports
to the bloc, while the EU in turn is heavily dependent on Russian
energy. But increased economic cooperation has so far not been
reflected in closer political ties.
Reuters, UK
Nov 25 2004
THE HAGUE (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin is meeting
European Union leaders in The Hague for a summit that is expected to
focus on strained ties over Ukraine's disputed presidential election.
The Union has called on Ukrainian authorities to investigate complaints
about the elections, which it said fell short of international
democratic standards. Russia has accused Europe of meddling and
inciting violence in the former Soviet state.
Putin was welcomed to the Dutch seat of government on Thursday by
Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, who holds the EU's rotating
presidency. The two men shook hands, smiled and waved at photographers
but did not address waiting journalists.
Mass protests over the Ukraine vote have entered their fourth day
and pro-Western opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko has called for a
general strike to protest at official results showing Prime Minister
Viktor Yanukovich won the election.
Moscow backed Yanukovich throughout the campaign and congratulated
him on his victory before official results.
The Netherlands, speaking on behalf of the EU presidency, demanded
in a statement late on Wednesday that irregularities reported by
international observers be rectified and has said it is sending a
special envoy to Ukraine to meet political leaders.
"The EU has noted that the second round of the presidential elections
last Sunday has fallen far short of international standards for
democratic elections," it said. "The EU does not believe these results
reflect the will of the Ukrainian people."
Relations with Russia were already tense before the Ukraine crisis
over the EU's desire for greater engagement with countries that Moscow
sees as in its sphere of influence.
The bloc expanded in May to take in 10 new members, most of them in
the former communist east, and wants to promote democracy and human
rights in countries now bordering it, and help resolve conflicts in
Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Moscow resists this, fearing a further loss of prestige it has suffered
since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Following EU enlargement, Russia now sends 55 percent of its exports
to the bloc, while the EU in turn is heavily dependent on Russian
energy. But increased economic cooperation has so far not been
reflected in closer political ties.