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

 

1)      Why is the Russian Federation important to the EU and in international relations? Give as many reasons as possible.

 

2)      What hopes and expectations were raised in the West by the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe?

 

3)      What actually happened during the 1990s?

 

4)      Compare trade between the West and Russia in the past (the Cold War) with today.

 

5)      Describe Russia’s economic and social evolution over the last 25 years.                                                                  

 

6)      What threats concerning nationalism and terrorism does Russia face?

 

7)      Describe the progress on nuclear arms reductions. What treaties were signed? The situation today?

 

8)      Why are the BRICS important for Russia?

 

9)       What role has Vladimir Putin played in the evolution of the Russian state?                                                           

 

10)  What happened in Georgia in 2008?

 

11)  Describe Russia’s position on events in Libya and its criticism of the US and NATO.

 

12)  What has happened in Ukraine since November 2013?

 

13)  Russia’s increasingly assertive foreign policy (e.g. Syria) – discuss.

 

14)  What has been the effect of recent events on Russia’s relations with the US, the EU and NATO? For example, the 2016 US election and Russia’s alleged role in it, the tightening of the Russian government’s control over society, Alexei Navalny.

 

15)    President Trump and relations with a) US NATO allies and b) Russia.

 

16)   Contrast this with President Biden.

 

17)  The prospects for future relations between Russia and the West, in particular the EU. Italy’s position.