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Talk
Brussels, Oct. 20, 2016 (dpa/NAN) EU leaders are expected to address some of the challenges facing the bloc’s at a summit in Brussels starting on Thursday.
The challenges included EU’s sour relationship with Russia; Britain’s looming departure from the bloc, migration and ways of tackling it.
The discussion to smoothen relationship with Russia is necessitated by the tension generated by Russia’s role in the crisis in Ukraine
Russia’s crisis with the union had been exacerbated by Moscow’s role in the Syrian regime’s bombardment of Aleppo.
“We all recognise that Russia is a great power and a major player in the world with whom we need if we possibly can, to forge a different strategic relationship,” one EU diplomat said.
“However, the context has changed radically,” he added,
The German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande would brief the meeting on the talks they had with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Merkel said that the option of imposing sanctions on Russia for its role in Syria should remain on the table, “but no decisions are expected on Thursday.
British Prime Minister Theresa May will also attend the meeting.
She is expected to reassure EU leaders of her constructive approach on handling the issues of her country’s exit from the union.
The leaders would also take stock of progress made on tackling migration. (dpa/NAN)
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(Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Archibong Asuquo)