Russia join the EU!?

[victorhadin]

It was a time back last year that Vladimir Putin, charming guy that he is, talked to Tony Blair and several European nations about closer relationships with Europe. This raised an interesting question:

'Who wants Russia in the EU?'

Putin had indicated a tilt towards possible future membership which rendered the question valid, but what would be done about it?
Russia would of course benefit tremendously from membership, indulging as it would in inclusion in the EU tariff-free trade zone and increased foreign investment from European investors, eager to exploit Russian potential. In addition it would recieve substantial subsidies, taken from the EU pot of gold, to inject life back into it's stricken economy. Russia would qualify multiple times for such subsidisation, and due to it's large size and population would recieve a massive amount. In addition it's large population would give it significant political sway within Europe if it ever bcame a full member.

But, naturally, the big four economies and their voting influence said a resounding 'no' to this, on the grounds that subsidising Russia would just be too expensive. As it is several Eastern European nations are due for absorbtion in the next year or so, and Russia would be a step too far, it was felt.



But what of Russian integration in the future? After all it is a recovering economy, if currently a desperately stricken one, and it holds great potential.

What of your views?

[old-reb]

I would like to see Russia join the EU without having to agree to all their sissy, leftwing, rules.

At least let part of the world be free thinking.

old reb

[victorhadin]

I can't see it happening soon, but I am in two minds about it all pesonally. On the one hand, unless Russia really gets back up on it's feet, countries like Britain would be paying through their noses in economic subsidies and Russia would by dint of it's population wield a huge amount of political influence within the EU.

-On the other hand though, Russia's potential political strength could make it a good political ally for Britain. The Russians are a proud people and I cannot really see them as being EU federalists such as France and Germany, who currently hold such huge political power in the Union. If Russia were to join, and if it was to join Britain in a political coalition, our combined voting strengths could see a decentralised Europe through.

The thing is that the federalists in Europe are no doubt aware of this and are therefore against Russian membership for that reason. -Russia is on it's knees now, but if the EU powerhouses decide that it will only become a member when it is back on it's feet, I ask this:
-Would Russia want to be a member when it is back on it's feet?

That of course all depends on how economically tied to the EU nations they are by then. I say we should promote a free trade zone linking us with Russia and guaranteeing no tariffs on trade between us. This would a) help get Russia's struggling economy leaping again and b) get it tied closer to us so that membership would be more of a mutually beneficial act in the future.