Abstract:
The aim of this paper is to analyze the relationships between the Russian Federation and the European Union after the Crimean crisis, as well as to point out the possible directions for further development of cooperation in the new international reality. The authors indicate the factors determining mutual cooperation and present the range of interdependencies between both sides. They convince that the Russia–EU dialog will definitely be continued on specific cooperation platforms, regardless of the events in the international arena. The interdependence analysis in time of the Crimean crisis has been completed with areas of competition, or at least disagreement, between Moscow and Brussels concerning the intensity of the partnership implemented. Emphasis is put on the post-Soviet area as the source of Russia– EU conflict in order to highlight the variety of aspects influencing the relations between Russia and the EU which have a direct impact on the complexity of the above issues. The third part of the paper presents the reaction of the EU to the Russian Federation’s annexation of the Crimea. The authors present the EU approach and the sanctions used against Russia as a result of the Crimean incident, including the influence of the latter on mutual contacts between the sides. The paper summary includes an assessment of previous Russia–EU relationships, including the impact of the Crimean crisis. The authors attempt to determine the directions of possible further cooperation between the Russian Federation and the European Union, indicating the determinants of their mutual contacts which may be relevant in the nearest future.