The Partnership between the EU and Russia after the Implementation of the Lisbon Treaty – Reality or Fiction

Abstract The European Union constantly strives to impose itself as a catalyst for change and an influential factor in relations with states. This issue becomes particularly relevant when considering the impact of the Lisbon Treaty. The question arises whether the Treaty contributed to the EU becoming a global actor capable of creating an effective and credible foreign and security policy. The turbulences taking place today on a global scale represent a real challenge for the proactive engagement of the EU in the sphere of CFSP. To accomplish more in this domain, it is imperative that the European Union accords greater priority to its partnerships with strategic allies, as sustained engagement and enhanced collaboration are essential for maintaining a clear focus on its overarching objectives. This paper focuses on examining the European Union's relationship with one of its main strategic challenges-Russia-and explores how the changes introduced by the Lisbon Treaty have facilitated the development of a framework for meaningful cooperation between them.