Once again, a worrying sequence of events in Russia has inspired fears in neighbouring Europe. And once again, Russia’s attitude is far from reassuring. Although there is hardly any doubt as to the cause of the forest fires that are raging in western Russia – the country has been hit by an unprecedented heat wave – the manner in which the situation is being managed by Russian authorities has raised a number of questions: notably with regard to the real extent of the fires, the risks posed by "sensitive" sites in the path of the flames, the counter measures that may need to be deployed, and the reasons why Moscow has refused to ask for assistance from Europe.
The prevailing lack of transparency and inertia are reminiscent of the worst absurdities of the Soviet era. Ten years ago the sinking of the Koursk submarine highlighted the Russian government’s inability to face up to catastrophes, and its current attitude is proof that little has changed.
How can we trust authorities in Russia when they insist that the burning of 4,000 hectares of forest contaminated by Chernobyl has not resulted in an increase in radioactivity? How can we trust them when on the occasion of a recent conversation with the EU’s High Representative of Foreign Affairs, which focused on European solidarity and the offer of assistance from the EU, the Russian diplomatic chief avoided mentioning plans to deploy S-300 missile batteries in Abkhazia that were officially announced just a few minutes later? Without surrendering to the paranoia which on occasion prevails in former Eastern Bloc countries, the EU will have to adopt a firmer and more self-assured line in its relations with Moscow. Without trust and mutual respect we cannot hope to build a stable partnership with Russia. Gian Paolo Accardo
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