February 5, 2009 - 18:44 AMT
Eastern Partnership will take six post soviet states EU hostages
Russia is negative about the Eastern Partnership, a Russian politician said.

"Russia was not offered the initiative, which will take six post soviet states hostage," Sergei Markov, member of the Russian State Duma, said during today's "Membership in international organizations: a tool of pressure on sovereign states or support to democracy development?" TV space bridge.

"Europe compels post soviet states to make choice between Russia and the European Union. They had better reject it," he said.

European Commissioner for External Relations and ENP, Ms. Benita Ferrero-Waldner was quoted by Russian media as saying that Russia may be offered the Eastern Partnership along with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus.