A possible essay plan on Russia and the EU.

What are the main factors that will influence the evolution of relations between the European Union and the Russian Federation?

Introduction: Start with a reference to a recent development regarding the relationship to show your knowledge regarding the question and the Italian position. Explain why a good relationship with Russia is important to the EU and Italy in particular.

Line of argument: This essay will argue that Italy and the EU need to strike a balance in relations with Russia between exerting pressure on Russia to modify its position on the Ukraine and Georgia questions and to refrain from interference in EU affairs, while at the same time reassuring Russia that Europe continues to want a strong relationship with the Russian Federation, one built on mutual interest and rebuilding trust, close economic ties and cooperation in dealing with global threats.

Explain what Western hopes were regarding Russia at the end of the Cold War and how these were disappointed. Russia's evolution over the past 30 years. Outline how the desire to escape from the Russian sphere of influence led the ex-Soviet satellite states to join NATO and the EU and how this is viewed in Moscow. Then, the gradual reassertion of Russian influence in Eastern Europe and elsewhere, Transnistria, Georgia, Ukraine and its evolution into an authoritarian state with ambitions to play a greater role in world affairs, e.g. in Syria, Libya and elsewhere.

Explain the US and EU reaction to the Ukraine questions, the sanctions, the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence mission. Explain the EU and Italy's difficulty in balancing the need for a stable relationship with Russia as an economic and security partner with the need to reassure EU Eastern European members about their future security and not to ignore the occupation of parts of Ukraine and the human and civil rights violations in Russia. Quote Mogherini and/or Conte on EU-Russia relations. You could mention the US role in all this and the ambivalent stance of the Trump administration and the need to strengthen the European Defence Agency (with PESCO).

Finish by pointing out that despite the problems and real challenges that the relationship involves cooperation and dialogue are necessary to both sides and relations are obviously much better than during the Cold War.