We discussed the roles of the four Visegrad Group countries (Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Slovakia) in the European Union and NATO, as well as their efforts to strive for equal political status, safeguard national interests, and enhance influence within the EU framework. The Visegrad Group collaborates closely on issues such as the refugee crisis, challenging the political correctness of the European Union. However, the differences in relations between the four countries and Russia make it difficult for them to form a unified stance on the EU's policy towards Russia. The Russia-Ukraine conflict further impacted the internal unity and cooperation of the Visegrad Group, leading to the stagnation of political cooperation and the decline of the status of the EU.

1 The (Soviet Union) Russian factor in the cooperation of the Visegrad Group before the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict

Discussed the cooperation of the Visegrad Group before the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, especially its relations with Russia. At the beginning of the establishment of the Visegrad Group, member states maintained unity in their relations with the Soviet Union (Russia), with the aim of establishing equal relations with various Soviet republics and approaching wealthier countries in Western Europe. In 1991, Hungary, Poland, and Czechoslovakia signed the Visegrad Declaration, establishing a regional cooperation organization. In 1991-1992, the three countries signed a friendly cooperation treaty with Russia, promising to develop bilateral relations on the basis of sovereign equality and non use of force. With the independence of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the number of member states of the group increased to four. All four countries have made integration into the Euro Atlantic structure a priority foreign policy goal, with increased economic interdependence, but lack close cooperation in their relations with Russia. After the four countries joined the Euro Atlantic structure in 2004, it was difficult to form a common position towards Russia. The main manifestations are: 1) slow progress in cooperation in the field of energy security, and the four countries have not achieved effective energy infrastructure connectivity for a long time; 2) After the 2008 Russia Georgia conflict, Poland and the Czech Republic advocated for NATO to develop emergency defense plans for the Baltic states, without informing Hungary and Slovakia; 3) After the 2014 Ukraine crisis, Poland became tough on Russia, while the leaders of the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia held a pragmatic and inclusive attitude towards Russia. The V4 lacked common security interests and failed to form a unified position within the EU.

Differences in the relations between the four countries of the Visegrad Group and Russia before the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict

From 1993 to 2022, before the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out, the relations between the four countries of the Visegrad Group (V4) and Russia showed different characteristics and development trends. Poland has the strongest defensive mentality towards Russia, placing security and political considerations above economic interests, resulting in significant fluctuations in Polish Russian relations. The Czech Republic's policy towards Russia has changed due to the ruling parties with different ideological orientations, and the Czech Russian relationship has gone through a process from cooperation to indifference to pragmatic diplomacy. The relationship between Slovakia and Russia is the most stable, and the friendly relationship between Slovakia and Russia has not been affected by the Ukrainian crisis. Slovakia is highly dependent on Russian energy supply. The relationship between Hungary and Russia has undergone a significant transformation, from open confrontation to close cooperation. The foundation of Hungary Russia relations is energy issues, and Hungary strives to achieve energy security by maintaining close relations with Russia.

3 Impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the cooperation of Visegrad Group

The conflict between Russia-Ukraine conflict has exacerbated the division within the Visegrad Group, which has led to serious differences among member countries in terms of their perception of the threat to Russia, the causes of the conflict, the degree of assistance to Ukraine and the way of settlement, and it is difficult to form a common position. The close alliance between Poland and Hungary disintegrated, with Poland actively pushing for a break between the West and Russia, while Hungary remained neutral. Czech Republic and Slovakia maintain distance from Hungary and Poland. The power structure has undergone two changes, from V2+2 to V3+1, and then to V2+2, and the relations between Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary have been readjusted. The Czech Republic is skeptical about group cooperation, and the new Polish government has changed its foreign policy, resulting in reduced attention. The cooperation content has shifted from political cooperation to infrastructure, economic construction, sustainable development, and cultural exchanges, avoiding foreign policy differences. Although there are big differences on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, consensus has been reached in other areas.

4 Conclusion

The Visegrad Group holds a unique position within the European Union, with member states having divergent positions on Russia, making it difficult to form a unified policy towards Russia. The Ukrainian crisis in 2014 and the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022 aggravated the division within the group. Nevertheless, the group will not perish due to issues with its relationship with Russia, and its cooperation will be revitalized with changes in the geopolitical landscape of Europe and the political situation of member states.