The paper is devoted to some aspects of the European Union cultural policy. The relevance of the research is determined by the aggravation of the relations between Russia and the European Union at the background of the Ukrainian crisis and by the influence of the strained relations on the sphere of culture. The paper considers the process of formation and the legal base of the cultural policy pursued by the European Union, as well as problems caused by implementation of those provisions. The EU cultural programmes are being analysed as a factor of forming the European identity. General approaches to the cultural policy are being stated. Preservation of self-sufficiency and independence of the Union members in matters of culture acquires an important role. Such approach results in multiple standards of rendering historical and cultural heritage of Europe. The conclusion made in the paper is as follows: a plenty of contradictions lie in the ideological and legal base of the European Union cultural policy that provoke conflict situations, both within the Union and with other countries, including Russia.