Trojan Horses in EU Foreign Policy

Putin’s war on Ukraine has posed a serious challenge to European Union foreign and security policy.  While the conflict has exposed many frailties, such as the inability of the High Representative to coordinate EU foreign policy and the military weakness of member states, the European Union has organized a significant response.  Under German guidance, the European Union has responded with economic sanctions and an Energy Union policy initiative that seeks to diversify away from dependence on Russian gas.  While these policies have not deterred Russia from invading Ukraine, they have imposed serious and growing costs on the Russian economy.  Their effects may degrade Russian power over time more than any possible military response.  Yet, the EU has faced considerable challenges in keeping member states on board with this sanctions regime, particularly from “Trojan horse” members thought to represent Russian interests such as Cyprus and “illiberal” democratic governments such as that of Viktor Orban in Hungary.  This paper explores the coordination mechanisms within the European Union that have established these policies and policed the boundaries of Europe to try to keep defectors on side.  It shows how an emerging Europe-wide policy of economic containment towards Russia works and can be extended in future.