The EU Russia Expert Network on Foreign Policy (EUREN) met for the 18th time on 13 December. Due to continued restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic, the event was held online.

After opening remarks by Ivana Norsic, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to the Russian Federation, and Andrey Kortunov, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), the meeting started off with a panel discussion on EU-Russia energy relations. Against the backdrop of the current gas crisis in Europe, Oksana Antonenko (Control Risks, London), Szymon Kardas (Centre for Eastern Studies, Warsaw) and Tatiana Mitrova (SKOLKOVO Business School, Moscow) presented their views on the present situation and possible developments in the future. After a productive and engaged discussion, EUREN members proceeded to exchange views on the heightened tensions around Ukraine.

The EUREN was initiated by the Delegation of the European Union to the Russian Federation and the Russian International Affairs Council. It is a platform for dialogue between foreign policy experts and think tanks from EU member states and Russia. They exchange views on relevant issues and formulate policy recommendations to be presented to decision-makers of both the EU and Russia.