EU-Russia relations and their "common neighbourhood" between cooperation and confrontation

This article examines the positions and influences of the expansion of the European Union towards central and Eastern Europe with respect to Russia. The incorporation of the former Soviet influence zone into the European project has caused a change in European relations with Russia. In order to properly analyse this subject from a historical point of view, we take a three-step approach. First, we explore the deep historical relationship between the EU and Russia. Second, we analyse the normative dysfunction between blocks. Finally, we discuss the Russian idea of multi-polarity. These steps provide the -necessary information that allows for the development of the conclusions reached in the article.