Explaining European Union aid to Russia

An expert on local government in Russia analyzes patterns of aid allocation that are a key component defining the relationship between the EU and Russia. In an analysis of donor intentions and choices based on a dataset of all EU projects conducted in Russia's regions during 1991-2005, as well as interviews with EU and Russian officials involved in EU-funded projects and key EU policy and strategy papers, the roles that democratic performance and economic, strategic, and cultural factors have played in the EU's and its members states' choices of projects to fund in Russia are examined. A fifth factor, bureaucratic efficiency, is also considered.