European Identities and Foreign Policy Discourses on Russia: From the Ukraine to the Syrian Crisis

This book explores the relationship between national identity construction and foreign policy discourses on Russia in selected European Union member states from 2014-2018. It argues that divergent national discourses on Russia derive from the different ways in which the country was constructed in national identity and that policy makers' agency can influence the contestation between different identity narratives. The book includes case studies in key policy areas for EU-Russia relations, such as energy security, the Ukraine crisis, and Russia's military intervention in Syria, and shows that at the peak of the Ukraine crisis, national discourses converged towards a pragmatic but critical narrative. However, as the crisis subsided and new events took center stage, long-standing and identity-based divergences partly re-emerged in foreign policy discussions, particularly during the Nord Stream 2 controversy. Deep-rooted and different perceptions of the Russian Other in EU member states continue to influence national agendas for foreign policy towards Russia.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate relationship between national identity construction and the prevailing foreign policy discourses on Russia in a select group of European Union member states from 2014 to 2018. Through a detailed examination, it emerges that the diverse national discourses on Russia stem from the distinct ways in which the country has been constructed in the collective consciousness of its citizens. The book offers an interpretive theoretical framework that emphasizes the agency of policy makers in shaping the contestation between different identity narratives. It includes case studies that are of paramount importance in understanding the EU-Russia relations, such as the Nord Stream 2 controversy, the Ukraine crisis, and Russia's military intervention in Syria. By focusing on EU member states that have historically adopted varying stances towards Russia (Germany, Poland, and Finland), the book demonstrates that during the peak of the Ukraine crisis, national discourses converged towards a pragmatic but critical narrative. However, as the crisis subsided and new events took center stage in foreign policy discussions, long-standing and identity-based divergences resurfaced, particularly during the Nord Stream 2 controversy. Deep-rooted and differing perceptions of the Russian Other within EU member states continue to exert influence, shaping divergent national agendas for foreign policy towards Russia. This book is a valuable resource for students and scholars engaged in the study of European and EU politics, Russian and Soviet politics, and International Relations. It provides a nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics that shape the relationship between national identity and foreign policy decisions, offering insights into the ongoing challenges and opportunities in the EU-Russia relations.

Weight: 330g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367506100