European Parliament MP: Some EU countries did not expel Russian diplomats because of 'Russian black money'
Some EU countries have ignored the joint response to Russia's use of chemical weapons in the British town of Salisbury because of personal interests in relations with Moscow, stated by Sven Giegold, a representative of the Green Party in the European Parliament (EP), UkrInform reports.
"Many countries that turn their backs on EU’s Russia policy are under the influence of dirty money from Russia. The division of Europe is based on inglorious individual interests vis-à-vis Russia. Cyprus, Austria, Bulgaria and Greece seem to attach more importance to Russian black money than to a common European position," the German MEP said.
Moreover, according to Giegold, countries such as Malta, Cyprus and Portugal receive significant profits from the implementation of visa policies for Russian citizens.
"Hundreds of Russian citizens have been able to buy an EU passport including civil rights and thus also political influence in Europe," the MEP noted.
Giegold also recalled that, at present, the ruling Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) has signed an agreement on cooperation with the party of the Russian president.
“Tsipras [Greek Prime Minister] has long flirted with Putin’s Russia in the hope of investment that the rest of Europe refuses," the German politician said.
28 countries have already expelled Russian diplomats in response to the poisoning of the former Russian intelligence agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury.
In addition, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Slovakia and Malta have summoned their ambassadors to Russia for consultations.
From among EU countries, Austria, Slovenia, Cyprus, Greece and Portugal have not "punished" Russia.