Russia and the EU in the Middle East

Abstract

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia found itself in the position of a marginal power in global politics. Attempts to join the “Western Club” resulted in, enmity first, then confrontation, and finally a mutual fatigue. The Syrian crisis provided the Kremlin with a front door to return to the Middle East – a region of traditional geostrategic relevance to Russian interests. Moscow seems interested in presenting itself as the mediator of all the Middle East and North Africa crises. The diplomatic stance gradually adopted has made the Kremlin emerge as one of the main external powers, able to support pragmatic relations with all key regional players. However, the stabilisation of the region, one of the proclaimed goals of Moscow’s campaign in Syria, is only possible in concert with other actors, including the EU. The EU–Russia engagement in the Middle East faces diverging views and mutual distrust just as the future of the region remains precarious. The fate of the JCPOA, tensions in the Persian Gulf, stagnation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the crisis in Yemen, war in Libya, the threat of terrorism, and refugees are some areas where Russia and the EU could possibly cooperate in a meaningful way.