Russia and the Future of Europe: Views from the Capitals

Foreword
Keywords
Why This Book?
Additional Note Due to Russia´s War in Ukraine
Contents
Part I: Member States
	Making Friends with Russia: Austria as a Solid Backer of Russia in the EU
		Solid Trade and Investment Ties
		Austrian Public Opinion
		Mending Fences
	Belgium-Russia Relations: Balancing Values and Interest
		From a Historical Perspective
		From Political and Security Perspective
		From an Economic Perspective
		From a more General Perspective
		A Way Forward?
	Bulgaria-Russia Political Relations: Between Rethinking and Commitment
		Historical Strings
		Economic Relations: All About Energy
		Public Sentiments
		The Impact
		Bulgaria, the EU and Russia
	Croatia´s Policy Towards Russia: To Be a Hawk for no Good Reason
		From Ascending to Descending Trajectory
		Temporary Warming of Relations
		What Could be Done? Some Recommendations
	Cyprus and Russia: Strong Ties in a New Context
		The Turning Point
		Tipping the Scales
		Repairing the Relationship
		Policy Recommendations
	The Czech-Russian Relations: From Bridge-Building to Open Hostility
		Russia as a Marginal Topic in Czech History
		Communism and Anti-Communism as the Main Points of Reference
		The Black Swan Scenario: Vrbětice
		Recommendations
	Wide Fluctuations in Danish-Russian Relations
		History
		Compartmentalisation
		Trade and Nord Stream 2
		Opinion and Party Politics
		NATO Is Top Priority
		In Sum
		Recommendations
	Estonia and Russia: More Cooperation or Growing Tensions?
		Estonia: A Russian Expert or Radically `Russophobic´ Country?
		Painful History: From Occupation and Deportations to `Russian Minority´ Issue
		Outlook for Improvements in Political and Economic Relations
		What Would Estonian Politicians Recommend to the EU in Relation with Russia?
	Finland: Reckoning with a More Assertive and Authoritarian Russia
		Finland and Russia in History
		Financial, Trade and Political Relations
		Public Perceptions of Russia in Finland
		Finland and Russia After the Ukraine Crisis in 2014
		Recommendations
	France: Whatwas Behind the Macron Russia Initiative?
		Beyond Traditional Economic and Historical Explanations
		Between Geopolitical and Normative Considerations
		An Initiative Driven by the Elysée
	(No) Wind of Change?: German-Russian Relations in the Post-Merkel Era
		Relations Between Germany and Russia
		Public Perception of Russia in Germany
		How German-Russian Relations Influence the EU
		Future with Russia
		Russia´s Influence in Germany
		Recommendations
	Greco-Russian Relations: The Two Faces of `Janus´
		Greek Perceptions of Russia
		Recent Developments
		Ties Between Greece and Russia
		Recommendations
	Hungary: More Business, Less Illiberalism
		Historic, Political and Economic Relations Between Hungary and Russia
		Hungary´s Perception of Russia
		Russia´s Influence on Domestic Politics and the Hungarian Position in the EU
		Where Does This Lead?
	Ireland: Reluctantly Re-thinking Russia
		Engaging Russia
		Ukraine 2014: A Turning Point?
		New Bilateral Problems with Russia
	Diplomatic Bridge But Hybrid Fist: Italy´s Possible Approach Towards Russia
		The Long-Lasting Ties Between Moscow and Rome
		Beyond Ambiguity: A Foreign Policy Firmly Anchored in the Transatlantic and EU Bond
		Diplomatic Bridge and Dialogue: Grasp the Opportunity as a Dove
		But Learn to Be a Hawk on Hybrid Threats
	Latvian-Russian Relationship Status: `It´s Complicated´
		Historical Background
		Public Perception in Latvia
		Latvia, Russia and the EU
		Recommendations
	Lithuania´s Approach: Push Back Autocrats and Engage Democratic Activists
		Re-established Independence, Economic Decoupling
		Short Period of Cooperative Relationship Ended by Authoritarian Turn in Russia
		Persistent Disagreements Regarding History and Current Issues
		Waiting for Democratisation in Russia?
	Luxembourg: If You Cannot Tame the Bear, Talk to It!
		Bilateral Trade Mostly Unaffected
		Luxembourg as a Major Investor in the Russian Economy
		Support for the EU Sanctions
		Define Common Interests
	Malta-Russia Relations and the Libyan Civil War
		Bilateral Relations and the War in Libya
		Optimism in Future Relations
	Poland and Russia: Turbulent Relations and No Rapprochement in Sight
		Difficult History Turns into Troubled Present
		The EU Is an Answer?
		Radical Right-Wing Parties and Russia
		Recommendations
	Portugal: Two Women´s Legacy-A Bridge Forged to Russia from the Western Edge of Europe
		From Lisbon to Vladivostok, with Love
		People´s Perceptions: Dos and Don´ts
		Final Remarks
	Romania Versus Russia: Black Sea Region Ambitions
		Communism and Soviet Influence
		Current Diplomatic Relations with Russia
		Romanians´ Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Russia
		Russia´s Interests and Influence in the Region: The Case of the Republic of Moldova
		Brussels (and Others) Should Demonstrate More Ambitions Towards EaP
	Slovak-Russian Relations: A Challenging Big Brother Legacy
		Slovak-Russian Relations: The Beginning of a Story
		Breakthrough in Relations
		Slovak-Russian Relations Today: Cyberattacks, Espionage Affair, Sputnik V Vaccine and Energy Security
		Recommendations
	Russians Are Welcomed in Slovenia: As Artists, Tourists and Investors
		Historic Connections
		Economic and Cultural Relations Form the Basis
		More Turbulent Political Attitudes
		Common Slavic Roots
		Pragmatism Determines Policy
	Spain´s Relationship with Russia: Out of Sight, Out of Mind?
		Economic Ties
		The Perception of Russia
		From Dis-Interest to Opposition?
	Swedish-Russian Relations: Distrust and Tensions
		Economic Relations
		Political Relations
		Public Perception
		Russia´s Effect on Sweden in the EU
		The Future
		Some Recommendations for the EU and for Sweden
	The Power of Attraction (Rather than Persuasion): A Brief Enquiry into Dutch-Russian Relations
		Once Upon a Time
		The Cold War and Its Aftermath
		`Bizniz´
		Dual-Track Policies
		MH17 and Public Opinion
		The Future Well Lies Ahead of Us
		What Is to Be Done?
Part II: EU Neighbours
	Russian Influence: Is Albania the Odd One Out?
		Perceptions and Realities of Russian Influence
		Conclusions
	Russia Vs The West: Global Competition in the Local Setting of Bosnia and Herzegovina
		Russia Against the Western Consensus in Bosnia and Herzegovina
		Divergent Public Perceptions of Russia
		An Emerging Geopolitical Marketplace
	Caught in Between: Georgia´s European Aspirations Under Russian Influence
		Historical, Political and Economic Relations with Russia
		Public Perception and Media Coverage of Russia in Georgia
		Georgia-Russia Relations Impacting Georgia-EU Relations
		Prospects of Georgia-Russia Relations and the EU´s Role
	Icelandic-Russian Relations: Trade Determined by the EU
		Historical Trade Relations
		Arctic and Regional Collaboration
		Confrontations
		Public Perception
		Recommendations
	(Un)Shielded: Russia´s Influence in the Western Balkans Through the Kosovo-Serbia Open Dispute
		Russia in the Western Balkans De-Constructed
		(Un)Shielded: How Does Russia Influence Kosovo?
		The Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue: A Favourable Environment for Russian Meddling
		Conclusions and Recommendations
	Liechtenstein´s Relations with Russia: Too Small to Be Noticed
		The Case of the So-Called First Russian National Army
		Little Economic Cooperation but Some Cultural Exchange
		Politics and More
	A Hot and Cold Power Struggle for Influence: Russia-Montenegro Relations
		The ``New´´ Beginning
		Cooling Relations
		What Can Be Done? Some Recommendations
	North Macedonia and Russia: An Ambiguous Relationship
		Economic Liaisons
		Russian Involvement in the Political Arena
		Diplomacy
		The Way Ahead
	Russia: Norway´s Best Frenemy
		The Ambiguous Past: Russia as a Potential Threat and an Impossible Partner?
		Economic Interactions
		Public Perceptions of Russia
		The Uncertain Future of Relations with Russia
		Policy Recommendation to the EU: Norway´s Balanced Approach to Russian Relations as an Example to Follow?
	Serbia and Russia: Continuity in a Changing Context?
		Russia´s Appeal Is Inter-generational
		Four Levers of Russia´s Influence Over Serbia: Energy, Defence Industry, Soft Power and (Dis)Information
		Moscow´s Narrative and Positions Are Reflected by the Ruling Political Option
	Switzerland: The Tedious Art of Bridging a Widening Gap
		Weak Economic and Political Ties
		Neutrality and Cooperative Security
		Narrowing Options and Delicate Choices
	Between Conflict and Compromise: Turkey-Russia Relations and the West
		What Can Be Done? Some Recommendations
	The Approach to Russia for a Post-Brexit UK
		Economy
		Media Depictions
		The EU Dimension
		Future Prospects
		Interference
		Recommendations
	The Russian Shadow Over Ukraine´s European Choice
		Ukraine-Russia: `Mental Watershed´
		The Russian Shadow Over Ukraine´s European Choice
		Looking to the Future with No Illusions