Relations with the West: The Case Study of the EEC-USSR, as Viewed by the Community (1950–1991)

A diachronic reading of EEC /EU -Soviet relations shows us the variety and changeability that has developed over the decades, well beyond the now outdated narrative of two blindly opposed blocs. Over the decades many attempts were made to bring them closer and these attempts often reverted to rigid opposition. It is interesting to note, however, that relations between Europe and the Soviet Union were direct, despite attempts by the US to strictly control them. The complexity of these relationships is often undervalued by contemporary international observers and prevents us from fully understanding current relations between Russia and the EU. Historical analysis shows the full complexity of these relations, providing multiple interpretative tools. One of the main objectives of this chapter is precisely to create a link between current relationships and the history that produced them. The superficial reading that simply sees two opposing blocks, in which Europe disappears completely, is no longer convincing. Indeed, in this chapter the different national positions of the European Community member countries are analysed, in particular France and Germany, returning to Europe its actual role in the international sphere.