JUNCKER’S SICKENING PRAISE FOR ‘POISONER’ PUTIN
JEAN-Claude Juncker faced a furious backlash last night after writing a “nauseating” letter to congratulate Vladimir Putin on his election win.
The European Commission chief wished the Russian President “every success” after his re-appointment for a fourth term in office.
Addressing Mr Putin as “Excellency”, he vowed to “always be a partner” in a push by the EU and Russia to “re-establish a pan-European security order”. It came a day after the EU pledged “unqualified support” over the Salisbury spy poisoning, which the letter did not mention.
It was condemned as “shameful” and “disgraceful” by senior Tories given that Mr Putin is suspected of ordering the attack that left former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia fighting for life.
Mr Juncker appeared isolated in Brussels as senior EU figures distanced themselves from his gesture.
The gushing missive followed Mr Putin’s disputed victory on Sunday.
Official polls showed he won 76 per cent of the vote but election observers have complained about a lack of genuine choice and allegations have been made of ballot rigging.
Mr Juncker wrote: “I wish to convey my congratulations on your reelection as President of the Russian Federation. I have always argued that positive relations between the European Union and the Russian Federation are crucial to the security of our continent.
“Our common objective should be to re-establish a pan-European security order.
“I hope that you will use your fourth term in office to pursue this goal. I will always be a partner in this endeavour. I wish you every success in carrying out your high responsibilities.”
Tory MP Sarah Wollaston, in a oneword response on Twitter, described the letter as “shameful”.
And Ashley Fox, leader of the Tory MEPs, said: “This is a disgraceful letter. To congratulate Vladimir Putin on his election victory without referring to the clear ballot rigging that took place is bad enough.
“But his failure to mention Russia’s responsibility for a nerve agent attack on innocent people in my constituency is nauseating.
Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament’s representative in the Brexit negotiations, said: “This is no time for congratulations. Closer ties must be conditional on respect for international order and values.”
A source said EU Council President Donald Tusk was unlikely to congratulate Mr Putin, who yesterday was hosting a champagne reception at the Kremlin for Russia’s Winter Paralympic athletes.
No10 declined to comment on the letter but Theresa May’s spokesman said: “The Prime Minister’s position has been set out very clearly. I would point to the strong response from across the EU in condemning what happened in Salisbury.”
Mrs May is expecting to discuss the Salisbury poisoning with European leaders in Brussels tomorrow.
IT tells you all you need to know about Jean-Claude Juncker that he sent a letter to Vladimir Putin congratulating the Russian President on winning another term. What sickening obsequiousness. And what a total betrayal of everything the democratic West stands for. It is obvious to everyone other than Mr Juncker and his cronies that Mr Putin is hellbent on destabilising the West.
Why on earth are they giving credence to this man? Worst still, Putin is almost certainly behind an outrageous attack on two people residing in a country that is still part of the EU. So much for defending its member states.