The topic of the thesis is the issue of visa regime between the EU and Russia and its influence on relations between the partners. The visa regime prevents the smooth development of relations  between the EU and Russia and its existence seems abnormal in the conditions of the proclaimed Strategic Partnership between the partners.

The author of the thesis argues that the visa regime between the EU and Russia is a consequence of securitization of certain threats on the territory of Russia by the EU media. The media are creating a fruitful background for securitization of Russian crime, poor public health situation, human trafficking problems and threat of terrorism, thereby justifying the use of extraordinary measures against these threats. The media discourse then turns into an official discourse where the problematic issues on the territory of Russia are finally securitized and named as threats. In consequence, visa regime with Russia seems to be a natural protective tool from the existential threats from its territory.

This process shows that the EU is viewing Russia as a threat, using the old model of attitude towards Russia - as a dangerous neighbour. Certainly such practices contradict with the declarations of Strategic Partnership.

The author suggests that for true Strategic Partnership the EU needs to change the model through which it perceives of Russia. Russia should not be seen as a threat, but as an equal partner.

The methodology of the research is based on the analysis of European media discourse, where the roots of fear of Russian threats (the roots of securitization) can be traced. The methodology is the Theory of speech acts and Rhetoric Analysis.