title: The cycle of mistrust in EU–Russia relations
abstract: The chapter analyses the processes and dynamics behind the deterioration of relations between the European Union (EU) and Russia. The chapter looks at how – despite initial mutual good intentions at the beginning of the 1990s – the mismatch between the level of trust and formally set basis and goals of the partnership led to too high expectations on both sides and the fundamental misreading of each other’s intentions. The problem with the relations between Russia and the West in general and the 