ABSTRACT
The three Nordic EU member states, Denmark, Finland and Sweden, share a certain basic asymmetry in their dealings with Russia: whereas for all of them Russia is a key factor affecting their prosperity and security, the same does not apply the other way round. For Moscow the Nordics are bit players, factors but not necessarily always actors in their own right in the wider European game Russia is playing. By contrast, for the Nordics Russia is an important element of their foreign policies and their neighbourhood that places them in a special position in EU efforts to develop a joint approach towards the country. Nevertheless, despite their geographical proximity, long common history of both regional wars and co-operation with Russia and (assumed) shared ‘Nordicness’ (see Ingebritsen 2006), all three countries have unique characteristics, experiences and relations with Russia. To a degree they have drawn different conclusions and settled for different political/institutional responses and approaches as will be discussed in more detail in this chapter.
