Business as usual with Putin's Russia?

No sooner had Vladimir Putin been unsurprisingly declared winner in Russia's presidential election than EU leaders were issuing fawning statements, despite evidence of electoral manipulation and recent efforts to stifle opposition politics in Russia. EU strategic partnership should only be possible with countries when there are shared interests and value. In the case of Russia, the first steps to this end imply dialogue with the political opposition outside the Duma, renewed Duma elections, political pluralism and freeing political prisoners. (click for article)

European Parliament debate on Weds. 14 March (start 15 pm, following)