Hook-Up with Russia

The success of the recent Jules Verne spacecraft proves European Space traversing skills are maturing rapidly. To expand further - and avoid massive expenditure they should team with the Russians, pool resources, and produce a fiscally prudent program maximising assets and goals with Ariane 5/Jules Verne & Soyuz Launcher/Spacecraft as building blocks for expansion beyond ISS and "The Trap" of Earth Orbit. That way, they'll be able to greet the Americans when the latter finally get back to the moon!