International Policing in Russia: Police Co-operation Between the European Union Member States and the Russian Federation

Abstract

In this article, contemporary practices of police co-operation between the (Member States of the) European Union (EU) and the Russian Federation (RF) are considered. Starting with a depiction of EU-RF police co-operation through Interpol and Europol, the article continues with specific attention to the role of police liaison officers and the daily practice of operational police co-operation on behalf of the EU Member States. Relevant Russian law enforcement agencies are discussed, as well as obstacles to co-operation. Concurrently, two EU policy instruments possibly of influence on EU-RF police co-operation are closely examined. Findings indicate that EU-RF police co-operation is predominantly bilateral in nature without any incentive for change. Interpol plays an important role in this field, while as yet Europol does not. Furthermore, the impression emerges that in daily practice EU policy instruments show insufficient understanding of police reality, and are of little relevance to EU-RF police co-operation.