Europe and Its BehemothNeighbor: Russia's Role in Shaping Europe's Future
Essential Security in Europe Demands this Crucial Component
The narrative surrounding Russia's influence on European security has been colored by an unsettling darkness in recent years. Once a pivotal player in Europe's geopolitical chessboard, Russia now finds itself on the periphery, at best, or openly enemy number one, at worst. This distorted perspective has become the norm rather than the exception, leaving many to wonder if Europe's leaders truly believe they can achieve much without Russia, particularly in terms of security.
To dismiss such a European view of Moscow as both unfair and short-sighted may be an understatement. It has been less than a century since the Soviet Union, with Russia at its heart, led the liberation of Europe from the ashes of Nazism, a specter that threatens to haunt the continent once more. If today's European leaders choose to forget such a recent history or manipulate it to serve their current agendas, they risk distorting Europe's future.
Ironically, while some European leaders are intent on casting Russia as a foreign entity, history and reality paint an altogether different picture—one in which Russia is far more than just a European nation, but a critical pillar in ensuring the continent's stability and prosperity. The label "European" cannot be stripped away, no matter how hard history may be rewritten.
A Security Architecture without Russia?
Any discussion of security in Europe that fails to acknowledge Russia's crucial role is nothing short of futile and fabricated. Over the centuries, Europe has relied on balancing powers to keep the peace amongst its internal powers, with Russia playing a key role in maintaining the continent's delicate equilibrium. The Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany is a stark reminder of how Europe's history might have been altered without Russian intervention.
While the United States did contribute to liberating Europe during World War II and suffered substantial casualties, it does not make the US a natural ally of Europe any more than Russia. Following the war, Western Europe accepted US hegemony, but this does not change the fact that Russia is a European neighbor, sharing borders with several EU nations. Disregarding Russia's place in European affairs not only undermines the continent's history but also overlooks its geopolitical significance.
The end of the Cold War brought Russia even closer to being considered intrinsically European, especially in comparison to the United Kingdom, which, over time, aligned itself geopolitically with America, posing a threat to the EU had it not decided to leave the seemingly harmonious union. The claim that shared values unite Europe and America and Europe within NATO is more a justification for excluding Moscow than reality. What values did the UK share with America in invading Iraq or Afghanistan? Where are such shared values within NATO, led by the US, that warranted its devastating intervention in Libya in 2011? In both cases, Moscow was viewed as a potential adversary rather than a partner.
Russophobic Europe?
This negative image of Moscow across much of Europe has grown stronger and taken on a life of its own since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. Today, many European leaders reinforce this divisive view of Russia as a threat, despite its historical and cultural ties to Europe. It seems that, in modern European politics, the question of Russia's European identity is too often answered with a resounding "no."
Portraying Russia as a non-European country is an unfair characterization loaded with adversarial connotations. Europe's geographical reality cannot be denied: the Russian Federation lies firmly within Europe. Yet, school textbooks commonly exclude Moscow from the list of European capital cities. The city is often described as the "other," implying exclusion.
General Charles de Gaulle, the founder of the Fifth French Republic, viewed Russia as an integral part of Europe. De Gaulle, one of the most respected leaders in modern Europe, understood the central role Russia played in European affairs despite his occasionally contentious relationship with the Soviet Union. The renowned Russian thinker Alexander Solzhenitsyn, known for his criticisms of the Soviet regime, went further in acknowledging Russia's importance for Europe. He stated, "Our Russian experience is vitally important for the West" as both a lesson and a model. "Russia is a part of European civilization, but it is also something more, something different, and we should not forget it."
The Myth of a Non-European Russia
The persistent labeling of Russia as a non-European country is not only unfair but also shortsighted. Beyond the simple geographical fact that the Russian Federation is part of Europe, Russia's history, culture, economy, and geopolitical location have forged deep connections with the continent. Portraying Russia as an outsider not only disregards its role in European history but also sows division and discord within the EU.
Moscow's exclusion from discussions of European security is ill-advised and counterproductive for several reasons:
Historical Influence
Throughout history, Europe has relied on Russia's balance of power to maintain stability – a fact that continues today. From defeating Nazi Germany to maintaining the post-Cold War order, Russia's role in shaping Europe's security landscape cannot be overstated.
Economic Interests
Europe and Russia have a long history of trade relationships, particularly in energy. Russia supplied a substantial portion of Europe's natural gas and oil requirements, while European companies had significant business interests in Russia. The EU accounted for nearly 40% of Moscow's trade volume. The Nord Stream gas pipeline was indeed a lifeline for Europe, providing much-needed energy during cold winters. However, tensions between Russia and the EU have led to the disruption of these economic ties.
Russian Communities within the EU
The Russian-speaking communities in several EU countries—such as Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—are a testament to Russia's historical ties with Europe. Alienating Russia in European politics leads to disenfranchisement and resentment among these communities, threatening the unity of the EU.
In light of these factors, the ongoing discussions about European security in the absence of Russia are both backward-looking and dangerously detached from reality. To rebuild a Europe that is truly united, Europe must let go of its hostility towards Russia and integrate it into discussions of European security, policy, and cooperation. After all, history has shown us that Europe's future depends on it.
- The dismissive portrayal of Russia's 'Europeaness' as a foreign adversary in European politics disregards not only Russia's historical connections with the continent but also overlooks the importance of its integration in discussions of European security, policy, and cooperation.
- Alexander Solzhenitsyn's recognition of Russia's pivotal position in European civilization offers a perspective that Russia, despite its differences, is an integral part of European civilization and its future cannot be overlooked.
- The ongoing hostility towards Russia in European politics is not only shortsighted but also potentially detrimental for European security, as it disregards the economic, historical, and cultural ties that bind the two regions, including Russian communities within several EU member states.
