RUSSIAN SANCTIONS AND EU MEMBER STATES STANCE

EU Member States in favor of lifting Russian sanctions

1. Bulgaria: Bulgaria considers the sanctions regime against Russia an obstacle to its own economy. 72% of Bulgarians have a positive view of Russia.
2. Cyprus: The Cyprian government has opposed sanctions against Russia, especially on the basis of the two countries’ economic ties, although the actual economic impact of the sanctions has been limited.
3. Czech Republic: The stance of the Czech Republic towards Russia changed significantly following the crisis in Ukraine and Russia’s subsequent annexation of Crimea. Despite the ambivalent positions of some individual politicians, as well as a high dependence on imports from Russia. President Miloš Zeman has repeatedly criticized the EU sanctions against Russia. Zeman also retains strong ties to Russian business.
4. Greece: Greece has historically been one of Russia’s advocate within the EU, advocating for the Kremlin’s interests in Brussels.  The current Greek government maintains exceptionally close ties with the Kremlin and other prominent Russian figures. Greece has typically expressed opposition to any EU measures that could alienate Russia. Greece is best described as one of the EU’s three ‘Kremlin friendlies’, together with Italy and Cyprus. 66% of Greeks have a positive view of Russia.
5. Italy: Though traditionally a country with deep economic ties to Russia, Italy has shown strong support for a common EU and NATO stance on Russia. At the same time, Italy does not wish to completely alienate Russia, and continues to believe that a dialogue is possible. Italian politics is full of pro Russian elements and many politicians believe that the EU sanctions are harmful to Italy and should therefore be lifted.
6. Slovenia: After the annexation of Crimea, Slovenia fully supported Ukrainian integrity and fulfilment of the Minsk agreements, but it has also maintained pragmatic energy-focused economic ties with Russia. For this reason, Slovenia supports lifting the sanctions against the Russian Federation
7. Hungary: The government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban uses good relations with Russia as leverage in Hungary’s relations with Brussels, and in order to support his own domestic . After the annexation of Crimea, the Prime Minister sought to weaken European sanctions against Russia.

EU Member States Supporter of Russian sanctions

1. Belgium: Belgium supports sanctions.
2. Croatia: Croatia has been generally supportive of EU policy against the Russian Federation and has condemned the violence in Ukraine. After the EU sanctions were put in place, the Croatian Ambassador to Moscow declared that Croatia shares the EU’s principles and does not recognise the annexation of Crimea . The Croatian political representation has maintained its stance on sanctions being strictly dependent on implementation of the Minsk agreements.
3. Denmark: Denmark remains a firm supporter of the international sanctions regime against Russia.
4. Estonia: Estonia remains a firm supporter of the international sanctions regime against Russia.
5. France: Though traditionally friendly towards Russia, France’s stance has grown chillier following the 2014 events in Ukraine. France was one of the key countries to initiate EU sanctions against Russia, but also one of the main countries to participate in Minsk negotiations.
6. Germany: Germany was a proponent of tough EU measures against Russia in the aftermath of the annexation of Crimea. Germany has witnessed a significant deterioration in relations with Russia in recent years. Russia remains Germany’s largest energy supplier.
7. Latvia: Latvia is  highly supportive of closer ties between the EU and Ukraine, and supports the sanctions regime against Russia for the annexation of Crimea.
8. Lithuania: Lithuania is strategically located between the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad and the Republic of Belarus. Lithuania has been one of the chief advocates for an EU treaty with Ukraine, and the annexation of Crimea only intensified its concern about Russia. Lithuania is highly supportive of the EU sanctions regime and eager to aid Ukraine.
9. Poland: Relations with Russia deteriorated further after the annexation of Crimea. The Polish government has shown full support for sanctions against Russia. Its wariness of Russia is heightened due to a shared border with the Kaliningrad Oblast.
10. Romania: Romania has long had tense relations with Russia, which have deteriorated further since the start of the Ukraine crisis. 53% of Romanians have a positive view of Russia.
11. Slovakia: Slovakia is a firm supporter of the counter-measures against Russia taken by the EU and NATO after the annexation of Crimea.  Slovakia remains one of the most pro-Russian countries in the EU.
12. Sweden: Following the annexation of Crimea in 2014, Sweden condemned Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and began rethinking its own defence policy, examining the country’s strategic vulnerability.
13. United Kingdom: The UK was quick to condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine, and its firm stance remains unchanged even after the political reshuffle following the 2016 Brexit referendum.

EU Member States in favor of Dialogue and Compromise

1. Austria: Austria’s bilateral relationship with Russia is between ‘friendly pragmatist’ and ‘strategic partner’  Austria’s most successful far-right political party, the FPÖ, has exceptionally close ties to Russia . Austrian relations with Russia have not suffered significantly due to the conflict in Ukraine. In particular, energy interests continue to shape the two countries’ relationship and remain a cornerstone of Austrian diplomacy with Russia. For this reason, Austria is skeptical about the EU sanctions regime against Russia . Only 28% of Austrians had a positive view of Russia.
2. Finland: Finland is the one Nordic country that has always sought to find compromise with Russia due to its dependence on Russian fossil fuels and deep economic ties with Russia. Finland still sees hope in rebuilding EU-Russian relations.
3. Luxembourg: Luxembourg has close economic and financial ties to Russia, and is therefore reluctant to alienate Russia with punitive measures. Due to high levels of investment from Russia (and vice versa), Luxembourg is reluctant to implement EU measures aimed at restricting financials from Russia. However, although Luxembourg relies heavily on Russian financing, it supports common EU policies designed to penalize Russia for violating international law. Luxembourgian officials have also expressed hope that peace in Ukraine is attainable, and that Russia and Ukraine will reach compromise over their disagreements. According to the latest Eurobarometer, 21% in Luxembourg have a positive view of Russia
4. Netherlands: The major dimension of Russo-Dutch relations is economic.  The Netherlands did raise concerns that Russia’s behavior threatens international order and the integrity of the EU.  Furthermore, the Netherlands are hesitant but generally supportive of the common EU stance on Russia, even though the Dutch still believe that political reforms and democratic transformations in Russia are possible in the future.
5. Spain: Being located far away from Russia and not affected by the same fears as the easternmost EU member states, Spain remains focused on engaging in dialogue with Russia. Spain remains skeptical about possible European expansion, and Russia’s status as a strategic partner in the fight against terrorism has marked Spain’s attitude of hesitance in making strong moves to counter perceived Russian threats. However, this is more a sign of the lack of any serious ties with Russia rather than Spanish attempts to oppose other EU member states who have real concerns about Russian threats. Economy wise, Russia does not play a significant role in Spanish energy imports, but Russian tourism plays a big role in the Spanish economy. Thus, Spain was one of the several countries to voice criticism against anti-Russian sanctions, but so far, Spain has joined other EU nations in supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Unconcerned EU Member States

1. Ireland:  Ireland’s position towards Russia is barely identifiable, but in most matters of international relations, Irish politics tend to seek common ground with the United Kingdom. The primary interest Ireland has in Russia is commercial. So far, Ireland remains uninterested in abandoning its neutrality policy.
2. Malta: Malta is a small country dependent on oil imports, of which Russia takes the biggest share. Malta’s relations with Russia are insignificant. The Maltese government emphasises the EU’s mediating role in the Ukraine crisis
3. Portugal is generally unconcerned with Russia, and remains outside of immediate Russian interests. The country’s geographic distance from Russia makes it generally less aware of the issues at the EU’s eastern borders. It is generally independent from Russian fossil fuels. Portugal is mostly unconcerned with Russia and remains outside of immediate Russian interests as well.

Summary

Allies

1. Bulgaria
2. Cyprus
3. Czech Republic
4. Greece
5. Italy
6. Slovenia
7. Hungary

Opponents

1. Belgium
2. Croatia
3. Denmark
4. Estonia
5. France
6. Germany
7. Latvia
8. Lithuania
9. Poland
10. Romania
11. Slovakia
12. Sweden
13. United Kingdom

Dialogue and Compromise

1. Austria
2. Finland
3. Luxembourg
4. Netherlands
5. Spain

Unconcerned EU Member States

1. Ireland
2. Malta
3. Portugal