EU-Russian Relations at a Crossroads

Abstract

Relations between the EU and Russia are going through a particularly complex phase at present. As the EU expands closer to the Russian heartland, the paradoxes that characterise the EU-Russian relationship become more pronounced. Trade and investment with Russia are booming, but the EU is concerned about standards of democracy and human rights; the EU welcomes an active Russia as a partner in resolving global problems, but it is concerned with the direction and tone of Russian foreign policy; and while Russia was initially lukewarm about EU enlargement, it now regards it in largely negative terms. Against this background, this paper considers EU-Russian relations from the perspectives of shared values, the energy issue, economic relations, foreign policy and Russia as a strategic partner.