EU: Russia No Longer Strategic Partner

The European Union's new foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said sanctions imposed on Russia have to be part of an overall strategy to counter Russian aggression in Ukraine that brings about more rational behavior from the government in Moscow. "The point is whether the efficacy that the sanctions are having on the Russian economy results in rational behavior by [the Russian] leadership," she said in an interview published on Monday by Italian daily Corriere della Sera. "In this phase, the Kremlin is acting against the interests of its people." In the interview, Ms. Mogherini said the EU no longer considers it has a partnership with Russian President Vladimir Putin who hasn't respected Russia's commitments to the bloc. "[T]hat partnership is no longer there. Russia right now is no longer a strategic partner," she said in the interview.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/eu-needs-joined-up-russian-strategy-1409560228