There is a rise in Russian demand for Europe as a global policy partner. For instance, at a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club in 2016 – held just days before the US election, against a backdrop of tension between Washington and Moscow over Syria – many Russian analysts and politicians complained about the “complete absence of Europe”.
Still, deep down, Moscow’s position on Europe is in some ways reminiscent of its position on US involvement in Afghanistan. In 2007 a Russian military analyst asked whether he wanted the Americans to succeed there replied gravely: “yes – my head wants them to succeed, but my heart wants them to fail as completely as we did!” Equally, some Russian politicians would intellectually approve of a strong and united Europe but could not accept it emotionally.
Read morer on https://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_europe_russia_importance_of_european_parliament_election
