Trade and Geopolitics: Should the EU Engage with the Eurasian Economic Union?

EPC Policy Brief, 2 April 2015

4 Pages Posted: 12 May 2015

See all articles by Rilka Dragneva

Rilka Dragneva

The University of Manchester

Kataryna Wolczuk

University of Birmingham, CREES

Date Written: April 02, 2015

Abstract

In an effort to find a solution to the deteriorating relationship between the EU and Russia, various commentators, policy-makers and experts have suggested that the EU should seriously consider engaging with the Eurasian Economic Union, as part of a new ‘grand bargain’ between Russia and the EU. If Ukraine will no longer be forced to choose between two integrating regimes, so the argument goes, Russian sensibilities can be pacified, which will in turn, hopefully, lead to peace in eastern Ukraine. However, according to Rilka Dragneva and Kataryna Wolczuk, these arguments are based on a number of problematic assumptions about integration dynamics in the eastern neighbourhood. In this Policy Brief, they recommend the EU better think twice before further engaging with the EEU.

Keywords: eastern partnership, ukraine, eu, eurasian integration, association agreement, dcfta, free trade, CIS, Eurasian Economic Union, Russia

Suggested Citation

Dragneva, Rilka and Wolczuk, Kataryna, Trade and Geopolitics: Should the EU Engage with the Eurasian Economic Union? (April 02, 2015). EPC Policy Brief, 2 April 2015, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2604941

Rilka Dragneva

The University of Manchester ( email )

Oxford Road
Manchester, N/A M13 9PL
United Kingdom

Kataryna Wolczuk (Contact Author)

University of Birmingham, CREES ( email )

Edgbaston
Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT
United Kingdom

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