The Challenges of a Changing Eastern Neighbourhood

The chapter examines challenges posed by the changing eastern region to the EU’s eastward foreign policy. It argues that while the EU has been reflective of its approach to the neighbourhood, it still struggles to understand and engage with the increasing complexities of the region. These in particular include the rise of the Eurasian Economic Union and the neighbours’ strong preference for developing complementarity between the EU and Russia’s region-building initiatives. Furthermore, the chapter contends that it is precisely the lack of positive othering involving recognition and engagement between the EU and Russia, and the wider region that prevents the development of more sustainable and effective policies towards the region.