RUSSIAN LOBBYING IN BRUSSELS

Russian lobbying takes different forms in the EU. In Brussels, lobbying is undertaken by Russian entities through their GR representative offices and work via different government advisory boards.

• ACIG Group of Companies: Agriculture and rural development, energy policy, foreign policy. Approximate lobbying expenditures: U.S.$ 28,000
• Association of European Businesses: EU sanctions against Russia. Approximate lobbying expenditures: U.S.$ 11,000
• JSC Russian Railways: Strategic objectives are to increase the role of the Russian rail network on the global market, fulfill the transport potential of the railway network by integrating into the Euro-Asian transport and increase the technical and commercial cooperation with Europe. Approximate lobbying expenditures: U.S.$ + 215,000
• JSC ‘Inter RAQ UES’ Rep Office in Belgium (Inter RAO): Energy policy. Approximate lobbying expenditures: + U.S.$ 12,000
• Lukoil: Energy Union, Establishment and operation of a market stability reserve for the Union greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme and an amendment to Directive 2003/87/EC, Limitations of emissions of certain pollutants in the air from medium combustion plants, Review of Directive 2009/119/CE on Compulsory Stocks Obligations, European Energy Security Strategy, Proposal for a Regulation of the EP and the Council on interchange fees for card-based payment transactions. Approximate lobbying expenditures: + US$ 560,000
• Gazprom: EU energy policy. Approximate lobbying expendtures US$ 1,35M
• Kapersky Lab (KL): Kapersky Lab works together with the global IT security community, national and regional law enforcement agencies (e.g. Interpol, Europol, The National High Tech Crime Unit of the Netherland’s Policy Agency and the City of London police), as well as Computer Emergency Response teams worldwide taking part in joint cyberthreat investigations and conducting training for cybersecurity specialists. KL is also involved into discussion of some cybersecurity initiatives through its membership in the advisory groups. Approximate lobbying expenditures: U.S. $ 11,000

A brief comparison of Russian lobbying efforts with those of other countries reveals their major weakness – these lobbying efforts have no support either from domestic groups or from high-ranking government officials. This significantly limits the number of lobbying strategies and tactics available to Russia.

To establish a credible Russian presence in the EU over the long term, the Kremlin needs to promote academic cooperation between political science programmes in Russia and the EU

Over the long term, Russia has to establish a credible presence in the EU. Domestic support within the EU has to be credible. The best way to achieve this would be to build strong ties in the academic field. Russia has to support interest in Russian studies at Western universities and think tanks. Future political leaders, journalists and scholars should have better understanding of Russian culture, history and politics. The support would be more welcome and better received if Russia would not only create some new programmes, but also support existing ones.  A general increase in interest in Russian politics will play out over the long term. There are policy initiatives implemented by the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia aimed at working with Russian academic communities in the EU. This line of work has to be continued regardless of present conditions of Russia’s relations with the West.

Advocates for Cooperation with Russia

Czech Republic

• Andrej Babis, Finance Minister
• Vaclav Klaus, Former President
• Milos Zeman, President

France

• Jean-Pierre Chevènement
• Nicolas Dhuic, Member of Parliament
• François Fillon, Former Prime Minister
• Claude Goasguen, Mayor of the 16th District in Paris
• Marine Le Pen, Leader of Front National
• Thierry Mariani, Former French Minister of Transport, Member of Parliament
• Jean-Luc Mélanchon, Leader of Front de Gauche
• Jacques Myard, Deputy Mayor of Maisons Laffitte
• Nicolas Sarkozy, Former President

Germany

• Gerhard Schröder, Former Chancellor
• Die Linke

Hungary

• Viktor Orban, Prime Minister

Italy

• Silvio Berlusconi, Former Prime Minister

Slovakia

• Robert Fico, Prime Minister

Spain

• Spanish Center Right Leaders

United Kingdom

• Nigel Farage, Leader of the UKIP

Review by EU Member State

1. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland tend to take a particularly tough stance on Russia. Since the beginning of the crisis in Ukraine, these countries have continously supported sanctions and lobbied for their expansion and extension.
2. France and Italy: These countries have strong political and economic ties with Moscow. They worry about the economic impact of sansctions and counter-sanctions. Italy is particularly interested in having Moscow lift its embargo on agricultural products. Italy has warned about sanctions hurting exports to Russia and jeopardizing jobs.
3. Germany: Business leaders in Germany warn about sanctions hurting exports to Russia and jeopardizing jobs. Berlin and Moscow have strong business and energy ties, but they also compete for influence in Central and Eastern Europe. Berlin has pushed for increasing sanctions against Moscow while also keeping negotiation channels open.
4. Greece advocates for closer ties with Russia and Athens has questioned the EU sanctions against Moscow.
5. Hungary, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Slovakia: These nations seek a permanent balance between their membership in the EU and NATO and their interest in attracting Russian investment and securing cheap energy imports. These countries have expressed concern about the negative impact the sanctions have had on economic growth. 
6. Spain: Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo, Foreign Minister, has admitted that sanctions and counter-sanctions are hurting the Spanish economy
7. Cyprus: President Nicos Anastasiades strong ties with Russia.