Andrew Wilson of the European Council on Foreign Relations argues that instead of rushing to embrace Dmitry Medvedev – Russia’s likely new president after the 2 March elections – European Union leaders should agree on a joint Russia strategy and set a series of tests for Putin’s successor.

“A repeat of the experience of 2000, when European leaders rushed to establish their own ‘personal relationships’ with Putin, would further hinder the development of a common EU policy on Russia,” Wilson argues in his report. 

This is not the usual approach of Member State leaders and makes eminent good sense. It is obvious that vying to negotiate bilateral relationships with Russia is counter-productive and sends the wrong signal.