VIDEO: ‘Russia instigator of problems in Europe’

WASHINGTON, United States (Kurdistan24) – In a recent interview with Kurdistan24, an expert on European issues said Russia is responsible for most of the instability in the continent.

Jeffrey Gedmin, a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, spoke to Kurdistan24 about the recent issues in Europe as well as the US’ strategy for the Middle East.

The Senior Fellow said Europe needs to find the right “balance” to improve democracy in the region and “contain refugee flows and terrorism.”

Moreover, Gedmin stressed Russia did not cause any problems in the continent, but it contributed to them by provoking those who posed threats.

“Europe has to get the balance right between Brussels and power and authority in national capitals,” Gedmin said.

“Europe needs to figure out what it wants to do with Russia because Russia’s not the source of these problems, but it is an instigator,” he continued.

Gedmin added Russia does not want to see Europe “united and strong, but divided and weak and in turmoil.”

He explained that Europe needs to contain Russia but at the same time maintain relations with them.

The Atlantic Council member also addressed the conflict in the Middle East and said a new administration in Washington is required to “manage” the issues in the region.

“We need a new administration in Washington that doesn’t look to solve [the problems in the Middle East], but they can be managed,” Gedmin said.

“We have to have a strategy aimed at making some space in the Middle East where [people] can live or survive decently until we can come up with larger solutions,” he concluded.

Editing by Ava Homa

(Kurdistan24 team in Washington, DC conducted the interview)