Public diplomacy and the persistence of the conflict and cooperation dichotomy in EU-Russia relations

The literature on relations between the European Union (EU) and Russia has proliferated during last decade. However, little attention been afforded to role of public diplomacy (PD). Studies have generally focused gradual breakdown relationship two international actors in background Ukraine crisis, but also Russia’s disenchantment with Western-led liberal world order. underlying assumption that EU gradually become engaged a dialogue deaf, where PD does not serve meaningful role, if any. With current EU-Russia relations, emphasis cooperation is rather muted, which opens space for questioning this dynamic. In context, article analyses way (directed towards Russia) represents perpetuates conflict dichotomy. It finds that, developed primarily from monological perspective, EU’s framing ineffective addressing appealing Russian general or changing Kremlin’s behaviour.