‘If a peace treaty acceptable for Ukraine and Europe can be agreed, we should be able to re-establish economic relations with Russia. I think that is common sense.’ This is how Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist N-VA) has responded to the criticism levelled at his comments on Russia. ‘People have blown my words out of proportion as if I now want to make up with Russia, but that is definitely not the case.’
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Prime Minister De Wever: ‘People are acting as though I want to curry favour with Russia, which is definitely not the case’
Colin Clapson
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From “strange” and “naive” to “a sign of weakness”. These are the words used by the federal coalition partners Flemish socialist Vooruit, Flemish Christian democrat CD&V and Francophone centrist Les Engagés to describe De Wever’s comments in the Brussels newspaper L’Echo last weekend.
In that interview, the Prime Minister said, among other things, that the European Union must negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine and normalise relations with the Russian Federation.
‘Peace deal first, then talks’
A storm in a teacup, says De Wever, who claims his words were taken out of context. He clarifies that there must first be a peace deal before any business talks can take place.
‘If a peace treaty acceptable for Ukraine and Europe can be agreed, we should be able to re-establish economic relations with Russia. I think that is common sense.’
‘Once peace has been achieved, the aim is to normalise relations again in due course. That is also what happened after the Second World War. That is normal. It is obvious that we must return to that in due course.’
‘People have blown this out of proportion as if I were now trying to butter up Russia, but that is definitely not the case. It is about making peace. I believe that is in Europe’s interest. I believe the whole world wants that.’
The Prime Minister goes on to outline what such a peace treaty should look like. ‘We must strive for a sound – not a naïve – peace, involving the rearmament of Europe, the strengthening of the eastern border, and a peace that is acceptable to Ukraine.’