The EU, Russia and the potential for dialogue – different readings of the crisis in Ukraine

Abstract

Recent developments in European security have shown the growing need for a better understanding of the security dynamics on the European continent. This article presents an analysis of differing Russian and European perceptions of European security in general, and concerning the crisis in Ukraine in particular. As much of the literature on these issues has been normatively driven, we aim to provide an impartial presentation and analysis of the dominant Russian and EU discourses. This we see as essential for investigating the potential for constructive dialogue between Russia and the EU. If simplistic assumptions about the motivations and intentions of other actors take hold in the public debate and policy analyses, the main actors may be drawn into a logic that is ultimately dangerous or counterproductive. With this article we offer a modest contribution towards discouraging such a development in Russia-EU relations. After presenting an analysis of the differing EU and Russian perceptions, we discuss the potential for dialogue between such different worldviews, and reflect on potential implications for European security. As the article shows, there are tendencies of a certain adjustment in the Union's approach that may make a partial rapprochement between the two sides more likely. ARTICLE HISTORY

Hybrid geopolitics in EU-Russia relations: understanding the persistence of conflict and cooperation

“…The article focuses on the approach taken up by EU's institutions, as supported by the member states. In the midst of the cacophony of views among member states regarding Russia, the scholarship points to the fact that a coherent EU approach towards Moscow can be identified (Rieker and Gjerde 2016).…”

Multipolarity and the Future of Multilateralism: Towards ‘Thick’ Peacekeeping in the Donbas Conflict

“…The UNSC subsequently endorsed the Minsk II agreement and demanded its full implementation in Resolution 2202 (UNSC, ). On another front, Russia had sought to raise and address its concerns about the EU‐Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) through the trilateral talks among the EU, Ukraine and Russia (Rieker and Gjerde, ).…”

Security challenges in Russia-European Union relations

“…The critical geopolitical readings of the shared space between Russia and the EU and the distinctive narratives constructed demonstrate how relevant the overlapping neighbourhood is in EU-Russia security relations. The heterogeneity and agency that is recognised to the states in the common neighbourhood of the EU and Russia, along with the interplay of perceptions (including ontological security approaches), have been identified as most relevant to understand and interpret EU-Russia security relations in their neighbourhood (Browning, 2018;Svarin, 2016;Smith, 2016;Rieker and Gjerde, 2016;Pop, 2016;Dias, 2013;Simão, 2011).…”