A demonstrator shouts slogans as they march to protest the Catalan government’s push for secession from the rest of Spain in downtown Barcelona, Spain, Sunday Oct. 8, 2017. Emilio Morenatti AP Photo
On October 11, the Russian Foreign Ministry once again strictly declared its attitude towards the Spanish political crisis over Catalonia’s independence referendum.
“Guided by the fundamental principles of international law, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation views the developments in Catalonia as the internal affair of Spain. We express hope that the situation in Catalonia will be settled through dialogue, in strict compliance with Spanish law, in the interests of a united and prosperous Kingdom of Spain and with due respect for the rights and freedoms of all Spanish citizens,” the statement reads.
Most likely, the Russian side sees the possible secession of Catalonia from Spain as an event that could lead to further fragmentation of the European national elites. This will strengthen the EU bureaucracy. This scenario does not correspond to the current Russian view on the situation in the EU. Moscow does not see the strengthening of the European bureaucracy as a development that could impact positively the EU-Russian relations.
