The European Parliament has adopted a resolution calling on the Russian Federation to refrain from political, economic, and military pressure on the countries of the Eastern Partnership. The document emphasizes the right of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus to independently choose their foreign policy course and path of development.

The adopted resolution is advisory in nature but reflects the position of the majority of MEPs regarding Moscow’s growing influence in the region. EU lawmakers expressed concern over “hybrid methods of influence”, including disinformation, economic restrictions, and security threats faced by countries seeking closer ties with the EU.

Quote from the resolution:

“We support the sovereign right of Eastern Partnership countries to determine their foreign policy and urge the Russian Federation to cease attempts to impose influence through threats, coercion, or interference.”

The resolution also calls on the European Commission and the European Council to step up economic and humanitarian support for states under pressure, and to strengthen sanction mechanisms in the event of further escalation by Russia.

The adopted resolution is not so much a legal tool as it is a political signal directed at both Russia and the Eastern Partnership countries. The EU is demonstrating its commitment to maintaining its role as a guarantor of stability and free choice for post-Soviet countries—especially amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and growing instability in the Caucasus.

Russia is losing strategic ground in the region. Since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022, trust in Moscow has significantly declined in countries that were previously more aligned with it.

The EU aims to strengthen its "buffer zone" by increasing support for countries such as Moldova and Georgia, which have chosen the path of European integration but remain vulnerable to Russian influence.

Belarus is seen as a special case: despite its political dependence on the Kremlin, Brussels still includes it in the list of countries with "potential for democratic transformation".

Russia’s reaction is likely to be negative, including accusations of “interference in internal affairs” and attempts to undermine historical ties in the region. For Eastern Partnership countries, the resolution sends a signal that the EU remains invested in their sovereignty and is prepared to offer support under pressure. Moldova and Georgia, in particular, may use the resolution as a diplomatic lever to accelerate their integration with the EU.

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#GEORGIA

#EU

#MOLDOVA

#UKRAINE

#AZERBAIJAN

#BELARUS

23.07.2025 07:50