Russia, France and the Idea of Europe

Julie M. Newton's analysis of Franco-Russian relations brings to light fundamental questions of international relations. Analysing the relationship from 1958 to the present day, the author highlights ideas and identity as primary causes of the change in Moscow's Westpolitik. Russia, France and the Idea of Europe also examines how, since 1991, Western actions have frayed Russia's identification with Europe, with potentially negative consequences for future Russian-Western relations.

Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Introduction: Looking through a Prism of Russo-French Relations, 1958-2001: A View of Russian European Policy, Change and the Power of Ideas PART I: IN STALIN'S SHADOW, 1958-1985 Gaullist France and the Khrushchev Spring, 1958-1964: The Emergence of 'Instrumental Europeanism' Gaullist France, A Catalyst for Change in Soviet European Policy, 1964-1968 The Crucial Role of France in Soviet Detente Strategy, 1969-1981 Mitterand's France and Soviet European Policy, 1981-1985: Precursor to Change PART II: THE GORBACHEV REVOLUTION, 1985-1991 The Launch of 'New Thinking' and France, Spring 1985-Winter 1986 France as a Symbol in Soviet Rethinking of Europe, Winter 1986-Summer 1988 France and the Soviet Return to Europe, Summer 1988-Winter 1991 PART III: THE POST-SOVIET ERA, 1991-2001 Russian Foreign Policy and the Role of France: 'Looks to me like the Russian Version of Gaullism' Endnotes Sources Index

JULIE M. NEWTON studied Russian at Princeton University and went on to specialise in Soviet relations with Europe, particularly France, during her time at Columbia University's Harriman Institute in the mid-1980s. Today, with a doctorate from St. Antony's College, Oxford, she writes on Russia and the EU from her home in Paris.