"Whether we like it or not, Russia is back. [Russian President Vladimir] Putin has huge popularity because he represents a return to the international arena of the [previously] belittled country, a superpower in the past that wants to be like that again. And yes, it has nuclear weapons," Borrell told El Pais newspaper.
He added that Europe had a common stance toward Russia.
Russia's relationship with the West deteriorated in 2014 over the crisis in Ukraine and Crimea's reunification with Russia following a referendum. The West, including EU member states, imposed several rounds of anti-Moscow sanctions, while Russia has repeatedly refuted allegations of interference in Ukraine's affairs, warning that the Western restrictions were counterproductive and undermining global stability.
Comment: From wheat, gold, oil, advanced weaponry, gas, and even public sporting events with both the winter Olympic games and the recent World Cup; in a relatively short period of time, despite relentless attacks, and with Vladimir Putin at the helm, Russia has worked its way back onto the global scene and holds a position of influence that has the ailing West quite nervous indeed:
- Vladimir Putin: Restoring Faith in Humanity
- Russia's economy continues to climb as foreign investments double in 2017
- German president: 'We cannot declare Russia, the country and its people, to be an enemy'
- Spain's third largest city endorses pro-Palestinian BDS, Podemos leader calls Israel a "criminal country"
- German reporter: 'Old habit of imagining Russia as morally inferior is hubris'
- Macron addresses "dear Putin" and Russia's "irreplaceable role in solving international problems", meanwhile France's businesses make billion dollar deals
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