Russia borders five EU member states: Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland; the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad is surrounded by EU members. Until the radical breakdown of relations following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the EU was Russia's largest trading partner and Russia had a significant role in the European energy sector.

EU-Russia relations have been strained since 2014 because of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, support for separatist groups in eastern Ukraine, destabilisation policies in the neighbourhood, disinformation and interference campaigns and internal human rights violations.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at an opening of an exhibition dedicated to the 75th anniversary of Russian-Indonesian diplomatic relations, Moscow, February 3, 2025

Nov 23, 2022 · Following the Russian invasion against Ukraine in February 2022, the EU has suspended virtually all remaining cooperation programmes with Russia.

Jan 17, 2021 · However, EU-Russia relations have become increasingly strained over the years, not least because of the Kremlin’s consistent attacks on Ukraine’s sovereignty, including its 2014 annexation of Crimea and the full-scale invasion launched in February 2022.

Jan 13, 2025 · Ten European Union countries have called for the 27-nation bloc to ban imports of pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia, a document seen by Reuters showed, as Europe debates...

This is why I have proposed to EU Member States to ban imports from illegal settlements and to suspend the political dialogue with Israel. We will discuss these measures at the Foreign Affairs Council next week.

Nov 14, 2022 · The EU is aiming to formalize a new Russia strategy: isolation. According to an internal draft seen by POLITICO, EU officials are discussing new principles to replace the outdated document that guides the bloc’s policy toward Moscow.

Feb 15, 2021 · MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s top diplomat blamed the European Union Monday for a freeze in ties but argued that Moscow remains ready to mend relations if it hears positive signals from the bloc.

Feb 25, 2023 · The European Union vowed to increase pressure on Moscow "until Ukraine is liberated" as it adopted a tenth package of sanctions on Russia on Saturday, a day after the first anniversary of the...