Stefano Stefanini, former permanent representative of Italy to NATO and current advisor to the Italian Foreign Policy Institute (ISPI), has launched a worrying warning about Russia’s growing influence in Europe.
Stefanini points out in statements collected by Uusi Suomi that the continent is facing an alarming trend: the rise of Putinism in various regions, both inside and outside the European Union.
A notable example is Georgiawhere the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party declared itself the winner in the recent parliamentary elections, held at the end of October. The country’s pro-European opposition has described the elections as fraudulent, generating political tension and mistrust towards democratic institutions.
The ISPI advisor also urges us to also look at Moldova and Serbia, two countries that seek to integrate into the EU but are strongly influenced by Moscow. “Moscow is already waging war against the EU in these countries”he warns, highlighting the Kremlin’s efforts to weaken European influence in the region.
Russian influence within the EU
Russia’s strategy is not limited to the EU candidate countries. Stefanini highlights that the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, uses similar tactics to gain allies within the community bloc.
He also lists the cases of Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Croatia and the Czech Republic: “For the moment, Putin can fully trust two friendly governments in Hungary y Slovakia. Furthermore, pro-Russian candidates influence the presidential elections in Romania y Croatia. The populist Andrej Babišinsusceptible to Moscow’s flattery, may join the Czech government in the fall.”
Likewise, remember that Putin also has the support of important political forces in the main EU countries, such as AfD in Germanyhe National Front in France and the Lega in Italy. This network of political allies within Europe could weaken the bloc’s cohesion in the face of Russian aggression.
The possible consequences of Trump’s arrival
On the other hand, Stefanini points out that many of the pro-Russian political parties and leaders also support the American president-elect Donald Trump. The influence of a US government less committed to the Ukrainian cause could have serious repercussions.
“If Europe gives in politically, Ukraine will be left alone and will be forced to accept the peace terms dictated by the Russians. So Russia will win on two fronts at the same time: he military against kyiv and political against Brussels,” he warns.
