David Owen points out that EU implicated in Ukraine crisis

Indeed. How dare anyone offer a trade deal to another sovereign nation. The sheer audacity of daring to open economic relations with a state Russia viewed as it's own.

Russia is the responsible party no one else.

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Indeed. How dare anyone offer a trade deal to another sovereign nation. The sheer audacity of daring to open economic relations with a state Russia viewed as it's own.

Russia is the responsible party no one else.

Knowing the Ukraine was split down the middle on relations with the EU the EU was the irresponsible party. It was not just a trade deal, it offered loans with pro-EU terms and reforms to separate the Ukraine from Russian influence. It was designed to bring Ukraine towards the West.

Committee report: "The EU and Russia: before and beyond the crisis in Ukraine".

"PHASE II: PRESIDENT YANUKOVYCH SUSPENDSSIGNATURE OF THE ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT—MAIDAN SQUARE PROTESTS

185. In November 2013, President Yanukovych decidedto suspend the signature of the AA. The domestic economic situationhad become very pressing, partly due to Russia's restrictive trademeasures. EU Member States had committed to facilitating an InternationalMonetary Fund (IMF) loan in the region of $15 billion, but thiswas conditional on reforms which would have been difficult todeliver in the short term. On the other side, Russia offered Ukrainea $15 billion loan, without specific conditions, which was likelyto be accompanied by the lifting of Russian trade restrictionsand a large gas discount.[276]."

Owen said on the Today programme that the EU had blundered.

And? The EU tries to reform a borderline dictatorship, offers it loans and relations the populace broadly support, yet is responsible for a third county annexing part of its territory and fomenting a civil war in its eastern regions? Do you really hate the EU so much you cannot see russian culpability here? Your argument is ludicrous. The Russian reaction to events was so extreme initial events are almost irrelevant at this point.

The point is not about the EU and Russia per se, it is about the fact that the greatest foreign policy interest for most of the EU lies to the East, to those countries on its borders. The UK has foreign policy interests across the globe. Furthermore the EU obsession with Russia and the Middle East draws us into these conflicts. If the UK were outside the EU it could mediate between the EU and its enemies. Lastly the EU is simply incompetent, it sent Merkel and Hollande to Russia without fully planning the campaign. We are are much safer away from such blundering diplomacy.

Our independent foreign policy has been heavily focused on these regions since the EU was little more than a thought in the heads of a few intellectuals. The majority of our defence and security policies are based around these two areas. If you honestly think leaving the EU will somehow change the focus from Russia and the Middle East then I really think you do not know much about British foreign policy. You understand we are a member of NATO yes? A defensive alliance wholly independent of the EU and focused on Russia. You would never see the UK try to mediate between the EU and Russia, because to do so would damage other core alliances and interests.

You are obviously more expert than David Owen, who accuses the EU of blundering.

Or I'd just rather appraise an argument based on its own merits, not some blind appeal to authority. Perhaps you should trust the EU as it is run by highly qualified and educated people, who know more about its workings than you, no?

Do you want full political union with the EU?

No, given how each EU member uses the EU to pursue their own national interest it is doubtful to ever happen anyway.