ABSTRACT
The EU–Russian border security agenda matters. Fortified borders act as barriers against flows of narcotics, illegal and unwanted migrants, weapons and stolen cars, among many other things. This does not mean that these barriers are necessarily efficient and able to stop these flows: indeed, many smugglers in small items (including drugs) successfully conceal them in various hiding places, others bribe border guards and customs officers, while apparently most successful irregular migrants enter the EU quite legally after obtaining visas. Therefore, the EU–Russian border barrier may be considered a ‘coarse-mesh filter’ rather than a panacea against various kinds of transnational crime and uncontrolled trans-border flows. However, this ‘filter’ is a deterrent for many potential infringers, who would probably try to cross the border illegally if the risk involved were smaller. Figuratively speaking, the front door and the lock are weak obstacles for experienced thieves, but the vast majority of owners still prefer to have both of them instead of leaving their homes open and easily accessible to everybody.
