This book sheds light on how Member States and EU neighbours relate to Russia. It includes their historical, financial and political ties, as well as the public perception of the national population vis-à-vis Russia. Each chapter builds on these factors to elucidate the country’s position towards Russia and provides a prediction on the future of these relations. This volume shows the diverse relations that the EU member states and neighbours have with Russia, spanning from tense and confrontational to more eased and friendly, highlighting the contrasts between the national state and the EU as a whole. The book also presents the reader with concrete aspects in different policy areas, via recommendations on how single countries and the EU should deal with Russia. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24th February 2022 will change the relationship between the West and Putin’s Russia for decades to come. No doubt that this blatant violation of International Law and the incomprehensible human suffering of Ukrainian citizens will massively change the attitude of the countries analysed in this book.
Author(s): Michael Kaeding, Johannes Pollak, Paul Schmidt
Series: The Future of Europe
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 174
City: Cham
Foreword
Keywords
Why This Book?
Additional Note Due to Russia´s War in Ukraine
Contents
Part I: Member States
Making Friends with Russia: Austria as a Solid Backer of Russia in the EU
Solid Trade and Investment Ties
Austrian Public Opinion
Mending Fences
Belgium-Russia Relations: Balancing Values and Interest
From a Historical Perspective
From Political and Security Perspective
From an Economic Perspective
From a more General Perspective
A Way Forward?
Bulgaria-Russia Political Relations: Between Rethinking and Commitment
Historical Strings
Economic Relations: All About Energy
Public Sentiments
The Impact
Bulgaria, the EU and Russia
Croatia´s Policy Towards Russia: To Be a Hawk for no Good Reason
From Ascending to Descending Trajectory
Temporary Warming of Relations
What Could be Done? Some Recommendations
Cyprus and Russia: Strong Ties in a New Context
The Turning Point
Tipping the Scales
Repairing the Relationship
Policy Recommendations
The Czech-Russian Relations: From Bridge-Building to Open Hostility
Russia as a Marginal Topic in Czech History
Communism and Anti-Communism as the Main Points of Reference
The Black Swan Scenario: Vrbětice
Recommendations
Wide Fluctuations in Danish-Russian Relations
History
Compartmentalisation
Trade and Nord Stream 2
Opinion and Party Politics
NATO Is Top Priority
In Sum
Recommendations
Estonia and Russia: More Cooperation or Growing Tensions?
Estonia: A Russian Expert or Radically `Russophobic´ Country?
Painful History: From Occupation and Deportations to `Russian Minority´ Issue
Outlook for Improvements in Political and Economic Relations
What Would Estonian Politicians Recommend to the EU in Relation with Russia?
Finland: Reckoning with a More Assertive and Authoritarian Russia
Finland and Russia in History
Financial, Trade and Political Relations
Public Perceptions of Russia in Finland
Finland and Russia After the Ukraine Crisis in 2014
Recommendations
France: Whatwas Behind the Macron Russia Initiative?
Beyond Traditional Economic and Historical Explanations
Between Geopolitical and Normative Considerations
An Initiative Driven by the Elysée
(No) Wind of Change?: German-Russian Relations in the Post-Merkel Era
Relations Between Germany and Russia
Public Perception of Russia in Germany
How German-Russian Relations Influence the EU
Future with Russia
Russia´s Influence in Germany
Recommendations
Greco-Russian Relations: The Two Faces of `Janus´
Greek Perceptions of Russia
Recent Developments
Ties Between Greece and Russia
Recommendations
Hungary: More Business, Less Illiberalism
Historic, Political and Economic Relations Between Hungary and Russia
Hungary´s Perception of Russia
Russia´s Influence on Domestic Politics and the Hungarian Position in the EU
Where Does This Lead?
Ireland: Reluctantly Re-thinking Russia
Engaging Russia
Ukraine 2014: A Turning Point?
New Bilateral Problems with Russia
Diplomatic Bridge But Hybrid Fist: Italy´s Possible Approach Towards Russia
The Long-Lasting Ties Between Moscow and Rome
Beyond Ambiguity: A Foreign Policy Firmly Anchored in the Transatlantic and EU Bond
Diplomatic Bridge and Dialogue: Grasp the Opportunity as a Dove
But Learn to Be a Hawk on Hybrid Threats
Latvian-Russian Relationship Status: `It´s Complicated´
Historical Background
Public Perception in Latvia
Latvia, Russia and the EU
Recommendations
Lithuania´s Approach: Push Back Autocrats and Engage Democratic Activists
Re-established Independence, Economic Decoupling
Short Period of Cooperative Relationship Ended by Authoritarian Turn in Russia
Persistent Disagreements Regarding History and Current Issues
Waiting for Democratisation in Russia?
Luxembourg: If You Cannot Tame the Bear, Talk to It!
Bilateral Trade Mostly Unaffected
Luxembourg as a Major Investor in the Russian Economy
Support for the EU Sanctions
Define Common Interests
Malta-Russia Relations and the Libyan Civil War
Bilateral Relations and the War in Libya
Optimism in Future Relations
Poland and Russia: Turbulent Relations and No Rapprochement in Sight
Difficult History Turns into Troubled Present
The EU Is an Answer?
Radical Right-Wing Parties and Russia
Recommendations
Portugal: Two Women´s Legacy-A Bridge Forged to Russia from the Western Edge of Europe
From Lisbon to Vladivostok, with Love
People´s Perceptions: Dos and Don´ts
Final Remarks
Romania Versus Russia: Black Sea Region Ambitions
Communism and Soviet Influence
Current Diplomatic Relations with Russia
Romanians´ Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Russia
Russia´s Interests and Influence in the Region: The Case of the Republic of Moldova
Brussels (and Others) Should Demonstrate More Ambitions Towards EaP
Slovak-Russian Relations: A Challenging Big Brother Legacy
Slovak-Russian Relations: The Beginning of a Story
Breakthrough in Relations
Slovak-Russian Relations Today: Cyberattacks, Espionage Affair, Sputnik V Vaccine and Energy Security
Recommendations
Russians Are Welcomed in Slovenia: As Artists, Tourists and Investors
Historic Connections
Economic and Cultural Relations Form the Basis
More Turbulent Political Attitudes
Common Slavic Roots
Pragmatism Determines Policy
Spain´s Relationship with Russia: Out of Sight, Out of Mind?
Economic Ties
The Perception of Russia
From Dis-Interest to Opposition?
Swedish-Russian Relations: Distrust and Tensions
Economic Relations
Political Relations
Public Perception
Russia´s Effect on Sweden in the EU
The Future
Some Recommendations for the EU and for Sweden
The Power of Attraction (Rather than Persuasion): A Brief Enquiry into Dutch-Russian Relations
Once Upon a Time
The Cold War and Its Aftermath
`Bizniz´
Dual-Track Policies
MH17 and Public Opinion
The Future Well Lies Ahead of Us
What Is to Be Done?
Part II: EU Neighbours
Russian Influence: Is Albania the Odd One Out?
Perceptions and Realities of Russian Influence
Conclusions
Russia Vs The West: Global Competition in the Local Setting of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Russia Against the Western Consensus in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Divergent Public Perceptions of Russia
An Emerging Geopolitical Marketplace
Caught in Between: Georgia´s European Aspirations Under Russian Influence
Historical, Political and Economic Relations with Russia
Public Perception and Media Coverage of Russia in Georgia
Georgia-Russia Relations Impacting Georgia-EU Relations
Prospects of Georgia-Russia Relations and the EU´s Role
Icelandic-Russian Relations: Trade Determined by the EU
Historical Trade Relations
Arctic and Regional Collaboration
Confrontations
Public Perception
Recommendations
(Un)Shielded: Russia´s Influence in the Western Balkans Through the Kosovo-Serbia Open Dispute
Russia in the Western Balkans De-Constructed
(Un)Shielded: How Does Russia Influence Kosovo?
The Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue: A Favourable Environment for Russian Meddling
Conclusions and Recommendations
Liechtenstein´s Relations with Russia: Too Small to Be Noticed
The Case of the So-Called First Russian National Army
Little Economic Cooperation but Some Cultural Exchange
Politics and More
A Hot and Cold Power Struggle for Influence: Russia-Montenegro Relations
The ``New´´ Beginning
Cooling Relations
What Can Be Done? Some Recommendations
North Macedonia and Russia: An Ambiguous Relationship
Economic Liaisons
Russian Involvement in the Political Arena
Diplomacy
The Way Ahead
Russia: Norway´s Best Frenemy
The Ambiguous Past: Russia as a Potential Threat and an Impossible Partner?
Economic Interactions
Public Perceptions of Russia
The Uncertain Future of Relations with Russia
Policy Recommendation to the EU: Norway´s Balanced Approach to Russian Relations as an Example to Follow?
Serbia and Russia: Continuity in a Changing Context?
Russia´s Appeal Is Inter-generational
Four Levers of Russia´s Influence Over Serbia: Energy, Defence Industry, Soft Power and (Dis)Information
Moscow´s Narrative and Positions Are Reflected by the Ruling Political Option
Switzerland: The Tedious Art of Bridging a Widening Gap
Weak Economic and Political Ties
Neutrality and Cooperative Security
Narrowing Options and Delicate Choices
Between Conflict and Compromise: Turkey-Russia Relations and the West
What Can Be Done? Some Recommendations
The Approach to Russia for a Post-Brexit UK
Economy
Media Depictions
The EU Dimension
Future Prospects
Interference
Recommendations
The Russian Shadow Over Ukraine´s European Choice
Ukraine-Russia: `Mental Watershed´
The Russian Shadow Over Ukraine´s European Choice
Looking to the Future with No Illusions
