Thinking of Russia From the EU: What is to be Done?

The place of Russia in the upcoming EU Global Strategy (EUGS) is one of the most challenging and pressing issues in the reviewing endeavor undertaken by the EU High Representative, Federica Mogherini. The critical relevance of Russia in terms of EU’s security, energy supply and overall strategic reach can hardly be underestimated. However, the annexation of Crimea, the Russian military intervention in eastern Ukraine, the subsequent European sanctions and Russian counter-sanctions have dragged the relationship between the EU and Russia to its lowest point. 

The divisive nature of the ‘Russian issue’ among the member states and also within each of them has become an acute problem for the EU External Action. Given the cleavages and related problems how can the EU design and implement a truly common position and policies towards Russia? Which line/approach should be adopted by the EU about Russia in the EUGS? And, either the EU adopts a hard (hawkish), soft (dove) or mid-line (owl) how to make it sustainable and coherent?

>> Working language: English with no simultaneous interpretation