| This thesis focuses on security and defense policy between NATO, the European Union, and Russia in the period following the end of the Cold War and, in particular, the beginning of the 21st century. It looks at relations between the EU and Russia, NATO and Russia, and the EU and NATO in terms of the institutional framework and interests of each actor. It then goes on to examine the influence of Russian public opinion on foreign policy-making.; The perceived discrepancy between Russian public opinion and policy regarding NATO and the European Union is examined here; that is, policy seems to favor NATO, while the public favors the EU. However, it will be proven that it is not so much a discrepancy as a utilization of organizations to put forward Russia's interests, on which both the public and the policy elites agree. |
