Ukraine, EU and Russia: geopolitical motives and the suicide of democracy
Channel: TheNexusInstitute
Date: 2016-06-07

Watch the full discussion on our site: https://nexus-instituut.nl/en/activity/the-battle-for-europe 

Natalia Narochnitskaya from Russia is convinced that the Association Agreement between the European Union and the Ukraine will not bring harmony to the Ukraine, the EU nor to Russia. ‘The present state of the psychological war between Russia and the Ukraine is a burning wound in my heart. The graves of my ancestors lie in the Ukraine.’ 

‘Ukrainians need to realize that the EU is egoistic and their colonial practices will harm them. The import and export policies of the EU will result in 100.000 Ukrainians losing their jobs, and that is the real result of this Agreement. They will rush to European countries to seek a better future. Are you ready for that?’

Ivan Krastev from Bulgaria: ‘If the Dutch vote no, it won’t change a thing for them. This is my problem: it has no consequences for the voters. This referendum is just an instrument to paralyze the European Union. However, no-voters send a strong message to Ukraine: Europa is closed and you’re not welcome! It destroys hope.’

John Laughland from the UK disagrees, as he argues that the referendum is the purest form of democratic expression. ‘To criticize this referendum, means you're placing the European institutions above popular will.’

Nexus Symposium The Battle for Europe / https://nexus-instituut.nl/en/activity/the-battle-for-europe