Introduction: Russia’s War in Ukraine and the “Shared Neighbourhood” in a Historical Context

This chapter provides an introductory exploration of the historical context underlying the EU and Russian influence in their “shared neighbourhood”, particularly against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It outlines the legacy of Russian/Soviet imperialism, which facilitated Russia's continued influence in the region post-imperialism, contrasted with the EU's use of its enlargement and neighbourhood policies to project its power. The chapter reviews pertinent literature, illustrating that conceptualisations of EU and Russian influence developed independently, particularly at the meso-level. It argues that the current conflict in Ukraine is embedded within a larger regional dynamic where EU and Russian influences intersect, shaped by historical, economic, and cultural legacies. The chapter emphasises the necessity of a historical perspective to comprehend contemporary EU and Russian influence, setting the stage for a systematic comparison of their respective hegemonic power mechanisms.