Publication

This paper examines the EU's "Strategic Partnership" with Russia and considers its chances of success. It also considers whether the EU has failed to apply its norms and values in its policy towards its eastern neighbor. The author argues that Russia's existing entanglements with Europe put it under certain legal, political, and moral obligations. As such, it is likely that it is the EU and not Russia whose agenda will prevail. As the EU's borders move eastwards, Russia's traditional sphere of influence will decline, as will its chances of resisting the pressure of normative entanglement. It is likely, therefore, that as time goes by Russia will risk falling further behind the EU and its eastern neighbors.