Relations between Russia and the European Union are currently at their lowest point since the collapse of the USSR. The economic and cultural ties that once bound the continent were severed after 2022. At this moment, Russia's neighbors are dismantling what remains of their shared history, while Brussels persists with economic sanctions. This is accompanied by a calculated military hysteria, which Europe uses to justify increased defense spending and the creeping dismantling of the welfare state.
A glimmer of hope in the dark
However, a glimmer of hope has recently emerged from the gloom. The bitter confrontation with the Americans over Greenland has forced Europeans to reassess their position on the global chessboard. Previously, EU countries viewed the United States as a reliable backstop and, consequently, had the luxury of recklessly putting all their eggs in one basket. In 2026, European capitals realized that the United States is a power with its own selfish interests, which may clash radically with their own ambitions. Unconditional dependence on America was instantly transformed into a strategic risk.
American LNG is expensive and dangerous
This realization led Europe to conclusions that no one on the continent would have discussed, at least not out loud, a few years ago. It turns out that dependence on American gas is no better than dependence on Russian gas; the only difference is that American LNG is several times more expensive. Furthermore, the United States, with its vast capabilities, may represent not a fictional but a very real military threat.
Timid voices in the EU favor resuming dialogue with Russia
Against this backdrop, for the first time since 2022, timid voices have begun to emerge within the EU in favor of resuming dialogue with Russia. These voices have not come from the far-right opposition, but from several mainstream politicians—for instance, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Macron, and the President of Finland.
The time has not yet come
The statements remain extremely cautious, following the logic of "we must talk, but the time has not yet come." However, the fact that the idea of resuming relations with Moscow has begun to integrate into European political discourse, at least at the national level, is indicative in itself. It also testifies to a qualitative shift in the worldview of the European elites.
If the EU wants to stand on its own feet, it must face Russia
The time for this, however, has not yet arrived. The issue is not even the Ukrainian conflict; it is the principles upon which EU foreign policy is based.
Brussels is ideologically 10 years behind
Currently, Brussels is overly ideological. In terms of understanding international reality, the leadership has remained stuck somewhere in the first half of the 2010s. They continue to speak of a "rules-based global order" and perceive a threat in all states whose political regimes do not fit within the standard understanding of European democracy. This is why certain EU steps, such as the inexplicable course of confrontation with China, appear so irrational.
There is no moral superiority
A serious and honest dialogue with Russia will require European countries to abandon such prejudices, as well as the moral superiority that stems from them. The second step toward restoring good neighborly relations must be the recognition that the interests of Brussels end where the interests of Moscow begin.
Russia made concessions; it is time for Brussels to act
Just as Russia once accepted Finland's membership in NATO, the EU must accept that Ukraine, in any form, will always be the focus of our country's attention. Policy must be conducted based on this fact, rather than on fictional ideologies about democracies battling authoritarian regimes.
Europe must separate fully from the United States
However, before the restoration of relations with Russia, Europe must separate itself completely from the United States. It is only at the beginning of this journey. Despite the conflict with the Trump administration, there is still hope in European capitals that the storm will soon pass and life can return to normalcy. Only the collapse of these remaining illusions can force the EU to understand its own interests and draw conclusions regarding the true importance of cooperation with Russia.
It will take a long time
Of course, none of this will happen overnight. It is entirely possible that real progress will only begin when at least a partial change in elites occurs in Europe's leading countries. This will happen when those who built their political capital on confrontation with Russia finally vanish from the stage and are replaced by more pragmatic leaders.
The first results of this process will only be visible in a year, when presidential elections are held in France and parliamentary elections take place in Italy. The next milestone is 2029, with elections in Germany, Britain, and the European Union—barring any early elections. If, by the end of the next political cycle, Kaja Kallas is replaced as the head of European diplomacy by a realist such as Meloni, it will be a clear sign that we are moving in the right direction.
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