European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker faces growing resistance from the U.S., some European countries — and even among his own staff — to a trip to Russia next month.
Their fear, according to diplomatic sources, is that Juncker’s visit would strengthen Russian President Vladimir Putin’s position right before a crucial decision on renewing economic sanctions against Moscow.
Juncker is planning to attend a major international conference in St. Petersburg — an annual gathering of politicians, business leaders and thinkers that is often described as Putin’s version of the World Economic Forum in Davos. The Commission president would be the first leader of …read more
Source: European Voice