Is There a Nordic Russia Policy? Swedish, Finnish and Danish Relations with Russia in the Context of the European Union

Abstract

This article will focus on the development of the bilateral relations between Russia and Denmark, Finland and Sweden and related implications on wider EU–Russia relations. It firstly identifies the key factors influencing these countries' relations with Russia and those policy areas that are most important in bilateral relations. The second central question is to what extent the three countries' relations with Russia hinder or contribute to the formulation of a ‘European’ Russia policy. In this context it is also to be examined to what extent these three small countries are able and willing to make an impact on the formulation and implementation of a common EU Russia policy. The article concludes with an outlook into future bilateral relations between the three countries and Russia as well as wider EU–Russia relations.