The third session of the Forum – The Future of Transatlantic Relations: The Impact of U.S.-Russia Relations on Euro-Atlantic Security – was moderated by CEPA Senior Fellow Janusz Bugajski. Panelists looked toward the future of transatlantic relations and how the U.S.-Russia relationship might impact European security. Bugajski opened the panel by stating that, while Washington has woken up to the Kremlin threat, it still needs to develop a common approach with European countries to roll back Russian influence. Linas Linkevičius, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, followed up by stating that the European community cannot allow annexed territories to become the new normal; sanctions should not be lifted until Russia changes its behavior. Tomáš Valášek, Director of Carnegie Europe, emphasized the success of reforms by the Ukrainian government. He further noted that economic development and territorial defense are priorities for Europe. Károly Grúber, Head of the Department of Common Foreign and Security Policy within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Hungary, concluded by drawing attention to the smoldering threats to Europe’s south and east, as well as the need to engage with Belarus as it navigates a difficult geopolitical position. Grúber also called for greater competition and diversification in the European energy market.
![]() | Janusz Bugajski Senior Fellow, CEPA |
.@LinkeviciusL: Sanctions are the only leverage we are using against #Russia. We can not lift them. #CEPAForum pic.twitter.com/U8QkuneUGf
— CEPA (@cepa) 21 września 2017
![]() | Károly Grúber Head of Department of Common Foreign and Security Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hungary |
![]() | Linas Linkevičius Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lithuania |
![]() | Tomáš Valášek Director, Carnegie Europe |