Germany and France want the European Union to drive a wedge between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his country's people, with a campaign to counter propaganda within Russia and a visa policy that signals Europe is still open to ordinary citizens.
In a joint nonpaper titled "Defending the international order in an age of systemic rivalry: EU-Russia relations,” France and Germany say the EU needs to continue exploring "creative ways” to allow for the dissemination of independent information to and within Russia, according to a copy of the document seen by Bloomberg. A nonpaper is an unofficial document drafted by technical experts from EU member states for closed-door discussions.
The countries also call for open channels of communication with the Russian government, even as they urge broadening sanctions against Russian officials and continued financial and military support for Ukraine.