ABSTRACT
It is becoming increasingly clear that, over two decades after the collapse of communism, the Europeanization of ex-communist countries through the (continuous) expansion of the EU is but one of several processes constituting Europe’s complex socio-political dynamic. Alongside the United Europe of 27 there is a resurgent Russia casting itself as an independent centre of power, and there is also a group of East European ex-Soviet nations sandwiched between the two and mainly preoccupied with the consolidation of their sovereignty. While the ‘neo-imperial’ EU and post-imperial Russia are seeking to influence the situation in their shared neighbourhood in the attempt to shape their strategic environment, the neighbourhood countries are striving to find a balancing point between Europe’s two main poles. The relationship within this uneasy triangle is characterized by the high level of mutual dependence. It would be argued, however, that the previous policies aimed at managing this interdependence were not particularly successful. Furthermore, both the EU and Russia have largely failed to integrate post-Soviet East European countries. Moscow’s efforts at building a viable supranational community in post-Soviet lands have been hampered by the nature of Russia’s socio-political regime. And the jury is still out on whether the EU-sponsored Eastern Partnership helps bring about the genuine reforms in the East European countries, facilitating approximation with the EU. In the foreseeable future, the EU-Russia competition in the region is likely going to persist, while the interests of the ‘in-between’ countries’ governing elites in perpetuating their power will compel them to exercise their balancing act as long as possible.
