Neighbouring an Unpredictable Russia – Implications For the EU

The Permanent Representation of Finland to the EU · 19.12.2016 09:30 - 11:30

Russia’s aggressive policy in Ukraine has raised deep concern about the implications of Moscow’s new foreign policy. In fact, the foreign policy goals of Russia have remained by and large the same. What has changed is the level of activity and the means and methods Russia is ready to deploy in order to achieve its goals. Much of this change in foreign policy stems from the internal developments in Russia. Russia is more willing than ever since the end of the Cold War to take considerable risks and to deploy all means available – be they in the economic, military, political, cultural or information and communications sphere – to advance its goals internationally. The purpose of this seminar is to discuss the implications of Russia’s foreign policy choices for the neighbouring countries and the EU as a whole.

Opening remarks & Chair:

Ambassador Sofie From-Emmesberger, Political and Security Committee, Permanent Representation of Finland to the EU, Brussels

Speakers:

Toivo Martikainen, Attaché, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Katri Pynnöniemi, Senior Research Fellow, the Finnish Institute of International Affairs

Further information: Sannamari Bagge, tel. +358 50 574 0208, sannamari.bagge@fiia.fi