(April 1) Russia offers its contribution to four PESCO projects including FCAS!
(B2) This is a surprising request that the office of Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the EU, has just received on Thursday (1 April)
Participating in PESCO projects would benefit everyone
The letter is signed by Vladimir Chizhov, the Russian ambassador to the EU in Brussels. Rushing into the breach opened by the American-Canadian request to participate in a PESCO project (read: Three NATO countries will be well associated with the PESCO military mobility project), Moscow offers nothing less than its good offices to participate in several PESCO projects. " It would be beneficial for all ". Four projects are beforehand referred to in the Russian missive:
- 1. Military mobility - project led by the Netherlands;
- 2. Joint Intelligence School - project led by Greece;
- 3. base sharing - a project led by France;
- 4. the eurodrone, part of the SCAF - project led by Germany.
Russian arguments struck at the right corner of irony
The Russian arguments are striking, not devoid of a certain irony, even a certain humor that some might consider out of place in the midst of the resurgence of the Covid-19 epidemic. " To reach territories such as Afghanistan or other continents [implying China], by plane as well as by ship or train, Russia is an essential point. "(military mobility)" We have a good experience to offer you, especially on Daesh. And we can offer you internships in countries around the Mediterranean where Russia has a particularly sharp view implied Syria and Libya. 3. “ Our maritime base in Crimea would provide an interesting point of support (base sharing). 4. “ Our aeronautical industry has acquired know-how which could be useful to enable this project to be completed on time. ". NB: the program higher developed by UZGA in Kazan aims to develop such a drone (cf. Air & Cosmos).
Participation in exercises
Far from stopping there, the Russian ambassador even proposes to strengthen Russia-EU cooperation by organizing a " joint exercise, on the model of Zapad, but with a more aerial and maritime focus, from Lisbon to Vladivostok, of the Atlantic in the Pacific in 2024. ". That is just 80 years after the Anglo-American landing. He even proposed a name for this exercise, in memory of this famous squadron of French pilots engaged in Russia: “ Normandy-Niemen 2024 ”... According to our information, another letter was sent to European Commissioner Thierry Breton, to request the participation of Russian companies in the next call for tenders for the European Defense Fund. To confirm...
(NGV)
