EU Borderland Deals Will Not End Russia's Challenge

In the growing confrontation between Russia and the West over the former Soviet periphery, the signing of the EU free trade and association agreements by Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia at a June 27 summit represents a symbolic blow to Russia and a victory for the European Union. However, it is far from a definitive end to the competition over the states. Russia will probably enact trade restrictions against the countries in retaliation for the deals. The measures will be limited and will not devastate the countries' economies, but they will enable Moscow to pressure the governments while using other means to counter their efforts to move closer to the West in the long term.