Irish Examiner:EU fail to raise former Russian spy's death with Putin

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EU fail to raise former Russian spy's death with Putin

"Coming on the eve of an EU-Russia summit, the suspicious death of an ex-Russian spy in London might have been expected to fuel animated discussions on Moscow’s human rights record between Western leaders and Russian President Vladimir Putin. But in six hours of talks, Alexander Litvinenko’s death went unmentioned. It’s an indication of how the EU’s energy dependence on oil- and gas-rich Russia has been preventing the bloc from applying pressure on Putin to respect basic freedoms.

At a press conference after today’s meeting, Putin said the death was a tragedy, extended his condolences to Litvinenko’s family – but denied any role in the death. “There is no ground for speculations of this kind,” said Putin.Coming on the eve of an EU-Russia summit, the suspicious death of an ex-Russian spy in London might have been expected to fuel animated discussions on Moscow’s human rights record between Western leaders and Russian President Vladimir Putin. But in six hours of talks, Alexander Litvinenko’s death went unmentioned. It’s an indication of how the EU’s energy dependence on oil- and gas-rich Russia has been preventing the bloc from applying pressure on Putin to respect basic freedoms."