Why EU’s failure to respond means Putin is effectively calling the shots in Eastern Europe.
![In the EU during the past two weeks, those dragging their feet on sanctions were unwilling to pay the costs on energy imports, business contracts and the financial sector, writes Balfour [AFP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2014315161320311734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
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Swiss vote on capping quotas for foreign workers ignites xenophobic-led debate across Europe.
![The Swiss referendum caused outrage in the EU [EPA]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/20142187194122734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Moscow’s traction is on the wane giving Europeans an opportunity to rethink their relationship with Russia.
![Both the EU and Russia have been stepping up their engagement in Eastern Europe since 2009 [AFP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/201424846241734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
EU should stand on the right side of history and support democratic forces in Eastern Europe and the Arab world.
![From Eastern Europe to the Arab world, protesters demand change and are committed to fight for them [EPA]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/201312251045242734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Searching for a common ground with Russia is crucial to EU policy on Eastern Europe.
![Ukrainians are protesting their government's decision not to sign an agreement with the EU [Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/20131128112844377734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Yulia Tymoshenko’s release will be a top priority for the upcoming EU-Ukraine negotiations on a trade agreement.
![A parliament vote on a law resulting in the release of jailed Yulia Tymoshenko is crucial for Ukraine's rapprochement with the EU [Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/201311108113576734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Spying, trade and global security may be pulling the US-EU relationship in different directions.
!["At the end of the day, both Obama and Merkel are pragmatic people and will find a way to get over this spat," writes Rosa Balfour [Getty]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/201311385636756734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
