Robin Emmott

BRUSSELS (Reuters). The leaders of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia are expected to lobby the European Union on Wednesday at a summit. But for now, they won’t be able to negotiate to join the bloc.

A summit called the “Eastern Partnership” will be held for one day. It will show how unsuccessful the EU’s strategy to six ex Soviet republics it accepts. They are all located in Russia’s backyard, where they have existential security.

The six countries are divided by territorial conflicts with Moscow. Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia are the most involved. Azerbaijan and Armenia’s leaders will attend, but they aren’t seeking EU membership. Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, who was sanctioned by the West for his record in human rights violations, will not attend.

The EU offers money, technical support, and free trade under the Eastern Partnership Initiative, but it is not a member.

However, it is still far from its goal to transform the six states into vibrant market economies, based on democracy, the rule of law, and other principles.

Moscow is still suspicious about the EU’s involvement in this region. Russia has had a frosty relationship with 27 nations since 2014 when it took the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine. This was after an EU-backed uprising in Kyiv.

‘EUROPEAN ASPIRATIONS’

Reuters obtained excerpts of a draft statement for the final summit. These show that the EU will acknowledge “the European aspirations, and the European choice, of the parties concerned”.

Before the summit started, Irakli Garibashvili, Georgia’s Prime Minister, asked the West for his country to join the Atlantic Alliance. He was urging the West, but not Moldova, who is neutral, to do the same.

Garibashvili stated to reporters that “each state has its sovereign right to decide their foreign policy course,” referring to Russian attempts to block their Western orientation.

Maia Sandu of Moldova was quoted by Reuters as saying Tuesday that Moldova wants to be a member of the EU. Russia had also heard about her intentions.

The West and Russia are currently at odds over Ukraine. According to the United States, Russia is believed to have placed more than 100,000 troops at Ukraine’s border in preparation for an invasion. Moscow claims its actions are defensive, and charges Kyiv as well as the West with provocative behavior.

Olaf Scholz (Germany’s new chancellor) and President of the EU Executive Commission spoke separately on Wednesday. They warned Russia that it could face more severe economic sanctions if they violate Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

“… “We are ready to make additional, unprecedented and serious measures with serious implications for Russia,” Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen stated before the European Parliament.

The EU’s leaders are expected to discuss Thursday at the summit possible new steps against Russia.