Having been on the defensive in the past few years in the face of the eastward expansion of the European Union (EU) and NATO, Russia has taken an increasingly assertive approach in dealing with its western neighbors this year holding energy as its trump card.
A few anecdotes during the year are notable in the evolving relationship between the two powers in Europe: Russia's temporary halt of gas supplies to Ukraine at the beginning of the year; Russia's row with Georgia over alleged spying activities, which caused a stir within the EU; the murders of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya and ex-Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko; and the stalled process of negotiating a new EU-Russia partnership deal by the end of the year.
The year started with an abrupt stoppage of Russian gas supplies to Ukraine over a price dispute, triggering supply disruptions in several EU countries. The incident signaled a somewhat tactical shift in Russia's approach towards the EU, and was a precursor to the major developments in bilateral ties for the whole year.
The gas conflict prompted the 25-nation bloc to speed up its energy strategy review with energy security topping the agenda. EU leaders on various occasions reiterated the role of Russia as a strategic partner, and decided that engagement and cooperation with it are of paramount importance.
The EU is carefully seeking a balance between its increasing need for Russian energy supplies, and its criticism of Moscow over human rights and other ideological issues. But the divisions among its 25 members, over how to handle Russia, have not made the task any easier.