ABSTRACT
Since 1997, the European Union (EU) has developed institutionalised forms of engagement with the Russian Federation. More than 20 years later, the suspension of the framework of cooperation after the annexation of Crimea and the sanctions against Russia asserted a change in EU external action. This chapter aims to identify the main EU institutions and their input in decision-making on policies towards Russia. The analysis unpacks three interrelated goals that have been prioritised asymmetrically: the promotion of interests (in particular, as they relate to economics and security), normative approximation and the creation of a system of EU governance whereby its institutions (and member states) produce a coherent approach. It is argued that divergences among the Council of the EU, the European Commission and the European Parliament have been driven towards more convergence under the principles of solidarity and resilience. However, despite the improvement regarding internal coherence, the EU still lacks a common strategic approach towards Russia.
