What should Europe’s policy be towards Russia ?

Russia's annexation of Crimea in March 2014, its on-going support for separatist groups in eastern Ukraine, and the robust diplomatic and economic response from the EU have led to the biggest rift in EU-Russia relations since the Cold War. The EU and Russia are heading, at best, towards a protracted stalemate. At worst, they could be on the verge of a serious deterioration in their relations, should Moscow fan further the flames of conflict in the region.

This essay offers three sets of thoughts. First, a return to the status quo ante in EU relations with Russia is both unachievable and would run counter to European interests. Second, European leaders must calibrate their policies to the new status quo, especially on sanctions. Third, the EU must strengthen its resilience in the face of a revisionist Russia, both by committing itself to the future success of Ukraine as an independent nation and by developing a form of defensive containment against the growth of Russian influence inside the EU and the EU's eastern neighbourhood.

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