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Depending on over 25% of energy from Russia , the 25 EU nations are unable to agree on how to demand “predictability” in energy supply while balancing values and economic interests. At stake are contentious and predictable oil supplies for EU majors such as Germany , France , and Britain without getting involved in Russian differences with Ukraine . As a balance, there are serious concerns about human rights violations against itinerant labor, tourists, and foreign students by politically-protected Mafiosi and state sponsored violence against journalists who disagree with the Government. From EU’s perspective, Russia ’s diplomatic row with Ukraine and Georgia and the lack of adequate relations with Baltic nations that were part of the erstwhile Soviet Union is not only threatening stability in the region but also threatening energy supplies to the West.
The EU wants deeper relations with Russia but is torn by what they see as lack of “common values.” For example, Germany ’s deal with Russia to lay a dedicated pipeline to carry gas has angered Baltic nations. The EU feels that by developing deeper relations based on shared common values, they can “avoid catastrophic tipping points” expected to turn over in 10-15 years. By moving proactively, EU leaders say they can avoid dangers to their “economic growth, the safety of our people and the supply of resources, most notably energy.”
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