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Addressing the annual World Economic Forum in Davos for the first time since 2009, Putin set a conciliatory tone, saying that Russia and Europe, which have a common history, must return to a “positive agenda.”
The call was made after tens of thousands of Russians took part in protests on Saturday in support of opposition activist Alexei Navaln. The arrest of Navaln, who returned to Russia, was also condemned by Western countries.
“Of course, Western Europe and Russia should be together. The current situation is not normal, Putin said on video.” If we can overcome the problems of the past, we will have a positive phase of the relationship.
“But love is impossible if only one country declares it. It must be reciprocal, “added the Russian leader.
He also called on Europe to “get rid of the phobias of the past” and said Moscow was ready to improve relations.
“We are ready for that, we want it,” Putin said.
He did not specify how Russia and Europe could improve their relations.
However, a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry also appeared on Wednesday that Europe’s response to the naval situation “calls into question the very possibility of further contacts with the European Union.”
AFP / „Scanpix“ nuotr./Aleksejus Navalnas
The ministry added that the EU’s response was “the height of hostile steps.”
Relations with Brussels have deteriorated in recent years. The bloc has accused Moscow of poisoning a former spy and his daughter in the Soviet Union with the nerve paralyzing substance Noviciok in Salisbury, England, in 2018.
According to the West, A. Navalnas, Putin’s biggest critic in Russia, was poisoned by Novičioku last year. The Kremlin denies it.
Navaln’s team called on the West to announce new sanctions on Russia and punish billionaires who consider themselves close to Putin.
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