German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron. File photoMOSCOW, June 22The desire of French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to return to partnership with Russia may lead to an increase in the role of Eastern European countries, led by Poland, in the EU, writes in an article for the magazine Foreign Policy analyst Eoin Drea. The author of the article noted that the position of Paris and Berlin has become the reason for significant distrust of them on the part of the eastern members of the European Union. Against this backdrop, Poland has taken the lead in supporting Ukraine.
"The lack of significant and prompt arms deliveries to Ukraine from Germany and France, futile attempts to negotiate with President Vladimir Putin and long hesitation about whether they want Ukraine to win, speak of their desire nothing less than to return to conventional partnership with Russia", Drea believes.
According to him, the heads of Eastern European countries can follow the example of Hungary, which has repeatedly blocked key EU decisions. It is emphasized that a shift in the balance of power to the east may reduce the EU's ability to reach consensus in decision-making.The United States announced the refusal of Scholz and Macron to agree to Zelensky's demand «For the EU — in particular, for Paris and Berlin — this can lead to big trouble. <…> A new balance of power is being formed, its contours are gradually emerging. Poland, the largest economy in Eastern Europe and the sixth largest economy in the EU, plays a major role in expanding the opportunities of Central and Eastern Europe,” the material says. Drea stressed that if the countries of Eastern Europe fail to overcome the inaction of France and Germany, they will move towards closer cooperation with non-EU NATO members: US and UK. Since February 24, Russia has been conducting a military operation in Ukraine. According to the Ministry of Defense, the Russian army has already completed the main tasks of the first stage — it has significantly reduced the combat potential of Ukraine. The main goal in the department was the liberation of Donbass.