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]](/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2014315161320311734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)

Dr Rosa Balfour is head of the Europe in the World Programme at the European Policy Centre, an independent think tank based in Brussels.
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]](/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2014315161320311734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Swiss vote on capping quotas for foreign workers ignites xenophobic-led debate across Europe.
![The Swiss referendum caused outrage in the EU [EPA]](/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]](/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]](/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]](/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]](/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]](/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/201311385636756734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)