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

The module aims to provide the conceptual tools and empirical knowledge needed to understand the nature and evolution of Russia's European policy -- with a focus on the European Union (EU) and the Common Neighbourhood. In particular, students will learn about the historical, political, security, and economic factors that have influence Russia's relationship with Europe, and the instruments of power deployed by Moscow to influence its neighbours.

At the end of the module, students will be able to:

• orient themselves in the contemporary debate on Russia's European policy;
• interpret, using the tools provided, the main political, economic and military developments between Russia, the EU, and the Common Neighbourhood;
• apply the acquired notions, also in conjunction with other disciplines, to obtain a more complete/deeper understanding of contemporary international politics.

 

* Basic instructions

This module develops coherently with its twin on Russia's Foreign Policy (Prof Averre). Together, they intend to provide students with a specialist knowledge on the drivers, nature, and development of Russian foreign policy-making.

Classes will be held in presence. While most of the classes will be delivered as traditional lectures, the lecturer encourages the students’ active participation and discussion. Therefore, the constant study of proposed topics, supported by the readings assigned, will be required.

The first part of the module will review and analyse key themes of Russia's Europe policy, laying the background for a closer inspection of Russia's specific course of action in selected case studies pertaining the so-called Common Neighbourhood.

During the second part of the module, students will be asked to present their work on one of such case studies. The case studies will be assigned at the end of the first week of class to ensure ample time for everyone to prepare. The presentations, lasting about 30 minutes, should critically analyse Russia's relationship with a given country of the Common Neighbourhood. Presentations should be based both on what was learnt during the course and on original research conducted by the students. Each presentation should include a student-led Q&A session; it will be followed by an in-depth discussion led by the lecturer.

 

* Structure

Session 1: Introduction

This session will help students familiarise with the module’s aim, structure, and requirements. The class will also review key structural and contextual factors that shape Russia's relation with Europe and the Common Neighbourhood.

Session 2: Russia-NATO relations

This session will unpack the evolution of Russia's relations with a key Euro-Atlantic institution: NATO. The class will review the history of bilateral relations, pinpointing critical turning points and shaping factors -- from 1949 till current times.

Session 3: The Soviet Union and the European Community

This session will review and analyse the patterns of cooperation and competition, integration and disintegration that have characterised Moscow's relations with Europe during the Cold War. Guest speaker: Prof Angela Romano (UNIBO).

Session 4: Russia and the European Union

This session will analyse key political, social, and economic dimensions of the EU-Russia relationship since the end of the Cold War, tracing its main turning points. The class will pay particular attention to the in/compatibility between the two actors’ interests, threat assessments, political cultures, and worldviews.

Session 5: Russia and Georgia

Case study.

Session 6: Russia and Ukraine

Case study.

Session 7: Russia and Moldova

Case study.

Session 8: Russia and Belarus

Case study.

Session 9: Europe-Russia relations 3 years after the Ukraine war

This session will dive deep into the political, security, and economic consequences unleashed by Russia's decision to invade Ukraine in February 2022. What are the new structures, factors, and parameters characterising Russia-Europe relations? What does the future look like? Guest speaker: TBD.

Session 10: Conclusion

This session will summarise key aspects of the module and help students solve any doubts they may have regarding the module’s content or examination. The class will debate how Russia-Europe relations may evolve over the mid-term and discuss other relevant trends in global affairs.

Readings/Bibliography

Provisional list of readings:

Averre, D. (2009). “Competing Rationalities: Russia, the EU and the ‘Shared Neighbourhood’.” Europe-Asia Studies, vol. 61, no. 10, pp. 1689-1713.

Averre, D. (2016). “The Ukrainian Conflict: Russia’s Challenge to European Security Governance.” Europe-Asia Studies, vol. 68, no. 4, pp. 699-725.

Chaban, N., Egström, O., Gulyaeva, O. (2017). “Russian images of the European Union: Before and after Maidan.” Foreign Policy Analysis, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 480-499.

Foxall, A. (2017). “From Evropa to Gayropa: A critical geopolitics of the European Union as seen from Russia.” Geopolitics, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 174-193.

Gretskiy, I. (2020). “Lukyanov Doctrine: Conceptual Origins of Russia’s Hybrid Foreign Policy—The Case of Ukraine.” St. Louis University Law Journal, vol. 64, no. 1, pp. 1-22.

Gretskiy, I., Treshchenkov E., Golubev K., Grinin, L.E. (2014). "Russia's perceptions and misperceptions of the EU Eastern Partnership." Communist and Post-Communist Studies, vol. 47, no. 3-4, pp. 375–383.

Neumann, I.B. (1996). Russia and the Idea of Europe. A Study in Identity and International Relations. London & New York: Routledge.

Neumann, I.B. (2016). “Russia’s Europe, 1991-2016: inferiority to superiority.” International Affairs, vol. 92, no. 6, pp. 1381-1399.

Rieker, P. & Gjerde, K.L. (2016). “The EU, Russia and the Potential for Dialogue - Different Readings of the Crisis in Ukraine.” European Security, vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 304-325.

White, S. & Feklyunina, V. (2014). Identities and Foreign Policies in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. E-book version. Macmillan.

... The final list of readings will soon be published ...

Teaching methods

Traditional lectures and interactive seminars.

Assessment methods

Class attendance is mandatory. Students who do not attend at least 70% of the classes will not be allowed to take the final exam.

The overall grade for this module will result from:

1. active in-class participation (30%) = contribution to discussions + case-study presentation. The latter will be assessed based on the quality (solidity, depth, innovativeness) of the analysis carried out by the student, as well as the effectiveness of delivery;
2. final oral exam (70%) = one-to-one discussion, aimed at testing the student’s ability to apply their knowledge, think critically and in an original way, make the necessary logical connections between themes, and communicate their thoughts effectively.

As per usual, grades will be expressed on a scale from 0 to 30 (‘trentesimi’):

• 0-18 = fail
• 18 = pass threshold
• 18 – 20 = sufficient
• 21 – 23 = fair
• 24 – 26 = good
• 27 – 29 = very good
• 30 / 30 cum laude = excellent

Teaching tools

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

Office hours

See the website of Nicolò Fasola