Enter, Pursued by a Bear

Russia has long known how to play upon the European Union's identity as a unified political entity and as a motley crew of countries with individual interests. When collective resolve seems weak, Russia is ready to talk to the Union, but when it seems strong, Russia talks to member states one by one. EU's current attitude towards Russia owes much to the rhetorical shifts of member countries in individual conversations with energy-rich Russia. As the French and German leaders – Nicholas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel, respectively – get tougher in their condemnation of Russia's human rights violations, the entire Union is emboldened to raise "increasing questions about Russia's commitment to democracy and human rights and the rule of law." These questions, however, accompany increasing trade and investment flows between the questioner and the questioned. The EU, while eager to articulate this paradox, seems less eager to resolve it politically. It may take time for the EU to align collective rhetoric with collective action. Such an alignment need not, and indeed, must not, ignore Russia as a neighbor and major trade partner, but might instead clarify what is meant on both sides by "neighbor" and "partner." – YaleGlobal