Nathalie Tocci was not representing the EU at the 16th Annual Meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club but acting in her personal capacity, as a respected political analyst and academic researcher, leading a well-established Italian think-tank.

The EU does not accept severe violations of international law by the Russian Federation, one example being the illegal annexation of Crimea . The EU calls Russia to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all its neighbours.

The EU has repeatedly also called the authorities of the Russian Federation to halt the actions that have seriously undermined the fundamental freedoms in Russia. The EU expects the fundamental rights, such as the freedoms of expression, association and assembly, which are also enshrined in the Russian constitution, to be protected.