Why Russia always oppose the European Union

 Russia's opposition to the European Union, while distinct from its opposition to NATO, is deeply intertwined with similar historical grievances, geopolitical calculations, and a fundamental clash of values and strategic visions for the Eurasian continent. This opposition has intensified significantly, particularly since the mid-2000s, evolving from a sometimes cautious engagement to outright antagonism.

I. Competing Models of Integration and Sovereignty:

One of the core reasons for Russia's antagonism towards the EU stems from the Union's very nature as a supranational entity that promotes a specific model of political and economic integration based on shared values, democratic governance, and rule of law.

 * Erosion of "Sphere of Influence": Russia views the post-Soviet space as its legitimate sphere of influence, a region where it holds historical, cultural, and security interests. The EU's enlargement, particularly to Central and Eastern European countries that were formerly part of the Soviet bloc, and its "Eastern Partnership" initiative aimed at closer ties with countries like Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, are perceived by Moscow as direct encroachments on this sphere. Russia interprets the EU's "soft power" – its attractiveness as a model of prosperity and democratic governance – as a tool for undermining Russian influence and drawing these countries away from Moscow's orbit.

 * Alternative to Russian-led Integration: The EU's success offers an attractive alternative to the integration projects spearheaded by Russia, such as the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Moscow sees the EU's model as a direct competitor that threatens to pull away potential members and partners for its own economic and political blocs, thereby weakening Russia's regional leadership.

 * Threat to Sovereign Control: For Russia, the EU's emphasis on shared values and adherence to a common legal framework can be seen as an attempt to impose norms that challenge its own highly centralized and state-centric political system. Moscow prioritizes absolute state sovereignty, whereas the EU's model involves a pooling of sovereignty among member states. This fundamental difference leads to Russian suspicion of any EU efforts to promote democratic reforms or civil society in neighboring countries, viewing them as thinly veiled attempts at "regime change" or interference in internal affairs.

II. Perceived Extension of Western Power and Influence:

While NATO represents a military threat in Russia's eyes, the EU, despite its soft power approach, is also seen as an extension of broader Western influence and a part of the "collective West" that seeks to contain Russia.

 * "United Front" with NATO: Despite their different natures, Russia often conflates the EU and NATO, viewing them as two arms of a coordinated Western strategy. The fact that many EU members are also NATO members reinforces this perception. Russia fears a united European front, economically and politically, that could collectively oppose its interests.

 * Sanctions and Economic Coercion: The EU's extensive use of sanctions, particularly since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has cemented Moscow's view of the Union as an adversarial economic power. These sanctions, aimed at pressuring Russia to change its behavior, are seen by the Kremlin as economic warfare designed to weaken the Russian state.

 * Criticism of Internal Affairs: The EU's consistent criticism of Russia's human rights record, democratic backsliding, and suppression of dissent is viewed by Moscow as unwarranted interference and a violation of its sovereign right to manage its own internal affairs. This moral and normative pressure from the EU often provokes a defensive and often aggressive reaction from the Russian government.

III. Economic and Trade Concerns:

Initially, Russia harbored some hopes for closer economic ties with the EU, its largest trading partner. However, these hopes largely dissipated due to several factors:

 * Impact of EU Standards: As the EU expanded, accession countries were required to adopt the extensive body of EU law and standards. Russia expressed concerns that this would negatively impact its trade with these countries, as Russian goods might not meet EU technical or sanitary requirements, leading to a loss of markets.

 * Energy Dependence and Diversification: The EU's efforts to diversify its energy supply away from Russia, particularly after geopolitical tensions, were seen by Moscow as a deliberate attempt to undermine its economic leverage and reduce its revenue from energy exports.

 * Asymmetrical Relationship: Russia often felt that the economic relationship with the EU was not on equal terms. While the EU was a crucial market for Russian energy, Russia saw the EU as demanding concessions without fully respecting Russia's economic interests or its role as a major energy supplier.

IV. Ideological Disparities and Narrative Control:

Finally, the EU's liberal-democratic values and its promotion of open societies directly contradict the increasingly authoritarian and conservative trajectory of Russia under Vladimir Putin.

 * Clash of Values: The EU's emphasis on pluralism, individual freedoms, and democratic processes stands in stark contrast to Russia's emphasis on state control, traditional values, and a strong centralized leadership. This ideological clash leads to mutual distrust and a perception of incompatible systems.

 * Information Warfare: Russia actively employs disinformation and propaganda campaigns within the EU to sow discord, undermine trust in democratic institutions, and promote Eurosceptic and anti-establishment movements. This is a deliberate strategy to weaken the EU from within, believing that a divided and less cohesive EU would be less capable of challenging Russian interests.

 * "Civilizational Divide": Russian narratives often portray the EU as representing a "decadent" West, contrasting it with Russia's unique "civilizational" path and traditional values. This narrative helps to justify Russia's confrontational stance and reinforce a sense of distinct identity for its domestic audience.

In essence, Russia views the EU not merely as a trading bloc, but as a powerful geopolitical actor with an attractive model of governance and integration that directly challenges Russia's ambitions for regional dominance, its preferred model of state sovereignty, and its core ideological tenets. The EU's soft power, in Moscow's eyes, is a potent tool for undermining Russian influence, leading to consistent opposition and a deeply adversarial relationship.