When the War ended. Pragmatic Proposals to rescue European Union Relations with the Russian Federation

Abstract

Relations between the EU and Russia are usually analyzed from a political or economic point of view. There is however not enough thinking on the legal impact of political measures or political consequences of a legal response to complex political socio-economic concerns. This approach will allow partially explain the current disagreements. This research critically analyzes the most ideological positions from both sides and answers to the strategic need for a normalization of this bilateral relationship and its management after the war, as we need a European path to recover security and growth. This contribution concentrates on three main aspects of the EU-Russia relationship: the legal obligations in the field of international trade, the security competition, and the legal consequences of the energy market regulation. In all three, I make proposals for fixing these points of contention. These proposals are not idealistic but based on facts that show the need for a correct relationship with a neighboring State. Thereby, the article contributes to the analysis of the bilateral relationship, not only political and economic but also legal. The article ends with several suggestions for a future new Strategy in the years to come, after reaching a consensus among the EU Member States. Nonetheless, it will provide elements to debate for both, the Commission’s Political Priorities and for the European Council Strategic Agenda setting up.