There are different perceptions in the west about Russian interference in the EU; some states see Russia as a friendly partner, and some view it as a hostile power, but, majority of states want to maintain friendly relations with Russia. These factors matter, and the relations with and perceptions of Russia certainly differ between various countries.It is noted that the US and NATO presence in Eastern Europe was a bigger challenge to the national security of Russian Federation, and that the US wanted to pressure Germany to undermine the Nord Stream-2 pipeline project. The construction of the controversial natural gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 has been delayed for months and completion is increasingly at risk after the US imposed sanctions on involved companies and threatened further steps. The pipeline under the Baltic Sea has been the subject of heated debate for years.The book focuses on the Security Challenges faced by the Baltic States, Ukraine and Belarus.

IntroductionChapter 1 A Decade of EU Counter-Terrorism and Intelligence: A Critical Assessment by Javier Argomaniz, Oldrich Bures, Christian KaunertChapter 2 Preventing Violent Extremism: A Review of Literature by William Stephens, Stijn Sieckelinck& Hans BoutellierChapter 3 Determining the Role of the Internet in Violent Extremism and Terrorism: Six Suggestions for Progressing Research by Maura ConwayChapter 4 Internal and External Perceptions of Small State Security: the Case of Estonia by Jana Wrange and Rikard BengtssonChapter 5 Caesarean Politics in Hungary and Poland by Robert Sata a and Ireneusz Pawel KarolewskiChapter 6 Susceptibility of Ukrainian and Belarusian Domestic Actors to External Actors Approaches: Puzzling Patterns of Transition by Ramnas Vilpi¨auskas, Dovil Jakninait, Marta Jaroszewicz& Laurynas JonaviiusChapter 7 From Revolution to Reform and Back: EU-Security Sector Reform in Ukraine by Shyamika Jayasundara-SmitsChapter 8 Amendments, Annexations, Alternatives: Nord Stream 2s Contemporary Status under EU and International law by Valentin JeutnerChapter 9 Divide and Rule: Ten Lessons about Russian Political Influence Activities in Europe by Geir Hagen KarlsenNotes to ChaptersIndex