Toward a New Russia Policy

Moscow may be a bristly partner, but the EU must still try harder. Abandoning its own stereotypes is one place to start

Russian-EU relations are not at their rosy best. Misperceptions and unrealistic expectations color both sides. At issue are not just hot-button topics like human rights and democratic practice, but also energy policy, neighborhood policy, and visa policy. So how can a new framework be set for interactions with Moscow? Meister argues that the EU can and must leverage its economic, legal, and social instruments pragmatically – and work to build up credibility within Russian society as a whole.