ABSTRACT
The European Union (EU) and Russia, the two biggest European neighbours, have experienced a noticeable approximation during the last decade, but growing strains have challenged their relationship. Since the re-election of President Putin in 2004, the relationship has been marked by recurrent difficulties. Two paradoxical features have emerged. On the one hand, the method and the domains of cooperation are quite advanced, whereas on the other hand, the quality of the political relationship has deteriorated and the partners have not been able to form a real strategic partnership. The Russian-Georgian war of August 2008 has created an additional pressure on political convergence and on cooperative solutions. Despite a comprehensive cooperative dialogue, producing concrete results mainly in the areas of economics and trade, the political results are not currently satisfying for either partner. This chapter argues that one of the explanatory variables might be found on the Union side.
