A group of Central and Eastern Europe's most influential political figures have written an open letter to US President Barack Obama warning him of 'Russia's increasing intimidation' in their region and calling for the US to take a strong line. The letter, signed by 22 former leaders, including Lech Walesa and Vaclav Havel, expressed deep concern over what it alleged as America's declining interest in a part of the world exhibiting "growing signs of nervousness" owing to Russian foreign policy. "Russia uses overt and covert means of economic warfare, ranging from energy blockades and politically motivated investments to bribery and media manipulation in order to advance its interests and to challenge the trans-Atlantic orientation of Central and Eastern Europe," the letter claimed.
The letter, signed by 22 former leaders, including Lech Walesa and Vaclav Havel, expressed deep concern over what it alleged as America's declining interest in a part of the world exhibiting "growing signs of nervousness" owing to Russian foreign policy.
"Russia uses overt and covert means of economic warfare, ranging from energy blockades and politically motivated investments to bribery and media manipulation in order to advance its interests and to challenge the trans-Atlantic orientation of Central and Eastern Europe," the letter claimed.
