Georgia, Obama, the Economic Crisis: Shifting Ground in Russia-EU Relations

Summary:

The firmly entrenched stagnation of relations between Russia and the European Union is leading to mutual dissatisfaction and even distrust. The failure of current institutions and practices to adapt to the challenges of the international political and economic environment and the outdated (for both Russia and Europe) agenda, are responsible. Each side perceives almost all initiatives by the other as competitive, which does not help relations improve. This kind of situation is damaging to the European Union, reducing its capacity for action vis-à-vis Russia; Russia, in turn, is writing off sources for the country's modernization.

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