B2953 - RUSSIA, THE EU AND THE COMMON NEIGHBOURHOOD

Learning outcomes

Russia’s consistent attempt to secure a relevant role in the international system has caused enduring problems in terms of its relations with Europe. This module will review Russia-Europe, and in particular Russia-EU, relations and consider the political, economic, and security issues involved.

Course contents

This module aims at developing the students’ understanding of key features of Russia's foreign policy towards selected countries of the Common Neighbourhood, as well as how the Kremlin perceives and opposes EU foreign policy initiatives in the region.

The module complements that delivered by Dr Derek Averre, ‘Introduction to Russia's Foreign and Security Policy’.

By the end of this module, students should be able to compare and analyse critically Russia's foreign policy in relation to the Common Neighbourhood and the EU.

Structure:

1. Introduction into the course. The West, Europe and the EU in Russian foreign policy thinking
2. Russia’s perception of the European Neighbourhood Policy, Eastern Partnership and other EU initiatives
3. Russia's foreign policy strategy toward the region of Common Neighbourhood
4. How and why does the Kremlin exercise its influence in the ‘near abroad’? (part 1)
5. How and why does the Kremlin exercise its influence in the ‘near abroad’? (part 2)
6. Case study: Ukraine - Coercion to friendship (part 1)
7. Case study: Ukraine - Coercion to friendship (part 2)
8. Case study: Belarus - Coercion to integration
9. Case study: Moldova - Coercion to geopolitical neutrality
10. Final seminar

Readings/Bibliography

Allan, D. et al. (2021). Myths and Misconceptions in the Debate on Russia. Chatham House Report.

Allisson, R. (2013). Russia, the West, and Military Intervention. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press.

Gretskiy, I. (2018). Belarus in a post-Crimean deadlock. New Eastern Europe, 34(6): 157-162.

Gretskiy, I. (2019). Russia’s Perspective on EU-Russia Interdependence. In Kristi Raik & Andras Rácz (Eds.) Post-Crimea Shift in EU-Russia Relations : From Fostering Interdependence to Managing Vulnerabilities, 58-78.

Gretskiy, I. (2020). Lukyanov Doctrine: Conceptual Origins of Russia’s Hybrid Foreign Policy—The Case of Ukraine. St. Louis University Law Journal, 64(1): 1-21.

Gretskiy, I. (2022). The “Ukrainian Issue” in Russia’s Foreign Policy in 1990-1993. In Sebastian Schäffer (Ed.) Ukraine in Central and Eastern Europe. Stuttgart: ibidem-Verlag, 19-44.

Gretskiy, I. (2023). Is There Life in the Desert? Russian Civil Society After the Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine. ICDS Report.

Gretskiy, I., Treshchenkov, E., Golubev, K. (2014). Russia’s Perceptions and Misperceptions of the EU Eastern Partnership. Communist and Post-Communist Studies, 47(3-4): 375-383.

Jonavicius, L., Delcour, L., Dragneva, R., Wolczuk, K. (2019). Russian Interests, Strategies, and Instruments in the Common Neighbourhood. EU-STRAT Working Paper No. 16.

Kennedy, R. (2016). The limits of soft balancing: the frozen conflict in Transnistria and the challenge to EU and NATO strategy. Small Wars & Insurgencies, 27(3): 512-537.

Marin, A. (2020). Under Pressure: Can Belarus Resist Russian Coersion? EUISS Brief.

Menkiszak, M. (2019). A Strategic Continuation, a Tactical Change: Russia’s European Security Policy. OSW Report.

Moshes, A., Nizhnikau, R. (2018). Russian-Ukrainian Relations: The Farewell that Wasn’t. FIIA Briefing Paper 235.

Raik, K. (2022). Don't Be Afraid of a Russian Collapse. Foreign Policy, 8 December 2022.

Sherr, J. (2020). Nothing New Under The Sun: Continuity and Change in Russian Policy Towards Ukraine. ICDS Report.

Teaching methods

In-person lectures and interactive seminars.

Assessment methods

The students’ knowledge is assessed in the form of an oral exam. Students who do not attend at least 70% of the classes will not be allowed to take the final examination. During the oral exam, students should demonstrate a solid grasp of lecture material in a logical and well-articulated manner.

Teaching tools

Power point, videos, documents, in-class interaction, Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Igor Gretskii