Former head of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker (2014-2019) called for a reorientation of relations with Russia towards normalization. He stated this in an interview with the newspaper Handelsblatt.
“I have always believed that changing the geography of Europe is beyond our power. Russia is our neighbor, just like Turkey, by the way. And in the long term, we need to normalize relations,” he stated.
According to him, rapprochement is currently impossible, but he considers negotiations acceptable and desirable. The former head of the European Commission added that in Europe, very little is known about “deep Russia.”
“Russia is a proud nation, but for us, those who should be cooperating with it, it is a black hole,” Juncker added.
Juncker visited Russia several times, both as Prime Minister of Luxembourg and as President of the European Commission.
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