Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, France and Germany have been among the biggest supporters of engagement with Russia within the European Union (EU).
However, Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the ongoing war in Donbas, as well as the necessity to confront hybrid threats from Russia on their home front have made their mark on the policy calculations in Paris and Berlin.
This event examines how France and Germany are likely to navigate the contradictions in their Russia policy – such as their commitment to both sanctions and Nord Stream 2 – in the near to medium term. The discussion also examines how changing political landscapes in Paris and Berlin might affect their relations with Moscow, and the role France and Germany are likely to play in shaping EU policy towards Russia in the future.
Participants
Manuel Lafont Rapnouil, Head of Policy Planning, Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, France
Susan Stewart, Senior Fellow, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik; co-author of Chatham House research paper ‘French and German approaches to Russia: Convergence yes, EU compatibility no’
Moderator: James Nixey, Director, Russia and Eurasia Programme, Chatham House
