Security in Europe remains incomplete without this vital aspect.
The narrative about Russia's role in European security has been skewed as of late. Once a crucial player in European geopolitics, Russia is now considered an outsider, if not an outright adversary. As we scrutinize Moscow through this narrow lens, it's hard not to wonder if European leaders genuinely believe that Europe can function without Russia, especially when it comes to security matters.
To suggest that this view of Moscow is narrow-minded and shortsighted might be an understatement. It's only been eight decades since the Soviet Union, with Russia at its core, liberated Europe from the clutches of Nazism. And yet, do current European leaders seem to have forgotten this recent history, or are they intentionally attempting to rewrite it to serve their current agendas and shape the future continent? There's an irony there: while some European leaders are intent on labeling Russia a "non-European" entity, historical reality depicts a very different picture - one where Russia is not only a European nation but an essential component in maintaining the continent's stability and prosperity. This fact remains inescapable.
Russia's crucial role in European Security
To hold a serious discussion about European security without acknowledging Russia's critical role is both meaningless and disingenuous. Throughout history, Europe has relied on a balance of powers, with Russia playing a key role in preserving this equilibrium. The Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany demonstrates the importance of Russian involvement in safeguarding the continent against such threats.
While the United States aided Europe in liberation, it does not make the U.S. any more of an ally than Russia. Post-war, Western Europe accepted American hegemony, but the fact remains that Russia is a European and neighborly country, and its voice should be heard in any European context discussions.
After the Cold War ended, Russia became even more important to be recognized as European than ever. The UK, eventually embracing American geopolitical interests, created a rift in the European Union - a rift that could have been avoided with more cooperation, rather than division. The claim that shared values unite Europe and America, and Europe within NATO, feels more like an excuse to exclude Moscow than a genuine reality.
The resurgence of anti-Russian sentiment
Anti-Russian sentiment in Europe has been on the rise, becoming what the Russians describe as "Russophobia." This negative image took hold particularly after the conflict in Ukraine, with many European leaders further strengthening this binary view of Russia as a threat. Despite the historical and cultural ties between Europe and Russia, many contemporary European leaders are questioning Russia's European identity, often answering with an emphatic "no."
The myth of a non-European Russia
Portraying Russia as a non-European country is a harsh characterization, dripping with adversarial connotations. When considering the simple geographical fact that the Russian Federation is part of Europe and that Moscow lies firmly within the European continent, it's peculiar that many Western school textbooks hardly name Moscow as a European capital city. Commonly, Russia is described as the "other," implying exclusion.
General Charles de Gaulle, the founder of the Fifth French Republic, recognized Russia as part of Europe. De Gaulle, one of the most admired leaders in modern European history, understood the pivotal role Russia played in European affairs, despite the occasional fractious relationship between France and the Soviet Union. Renowned Russian thinker Alexander Solzhenitsyn echoed this sentiment, stating, "Our Russian experience is vitally important for the West" as a cautionary tale and a model.
Solzhenitsyn once stated, "Russia is a part of European civilization, but it is also something more, something different, and we should not forget it."
In today's discussions about European security, one must ask the obvious question: Why is Russia excluded from such discussions? Do European leaders truly believe that a comprehensive European security can be achieved without Russian contribution? Or is it that some have convinced European leaders that Russia is a real enemy and a direct threat? While such a scenario can't be entirely dismissed, the problem now lies more with those who propagate this rhetoric than with Moscow.
A comparison between Moscow and Pristina
Comparing "Europeanness" between Moscow and Pristina illuminates the point further: Moscow is home to over 13 million people, compared to Pristina's estimated 200,000. Moscow is the centuries-old capital of a vast European and world power, while Pristina is the capital of a partially recognized country since 2008. This discrepancy highlights the cultural significance and historical centrality of Moscow in European history. Moscow is over 2,000 square kilometers, while Pristina is only a fifth of that. Yet, Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, is welcomed as a European capital, while Moscow remains a political outsider. One might wonder if Pristina, which in a sense symbolizes European/NATO creation, is given preference over Moscow due to its historical ties and centrality in world politics.
The predicament of Russian-speaking European citizens
The millions of Russian-speaking citizens living within the European Union present another reason why excluding Russia from European security discussions is counterproductive. The estrangement of Russia on the European stage has grave consequences for these communities, many of whom consider themselves part of both Russian and European traditions.
By alienating Russia, the EU is fomenting a sense of disconnection and disenfranchisement among its Russian-speaking citizens. This estrangement not only leads to long-term resentment and division within the union but undermines the very essence of a unified Europe.
For decades, the idea of European security has been synonymous with NATO and the U.S., when the reality is that a genuinely comprehensive European security cannot be realized without Russia. Moscow, with its military might, strategic position, and profound historical ties, is an essential component of any cohesive European security framework.
The EU and NATO might argue that Russia's actions in Ukraine have earned it the adversary title. But this recent development is not the cause of this alienation, which originated after the collapse of the Soviet Union. A closer examination reveals that the challenge lies, not in Russia's presence, but in the failure of European leaders to engage constructively.
- The exclusion of Russia from discussions about European security, despite its crucial historical contributions and strategic importance, is a disingenuous omission that undermines the comprehensive nature of European security.
- Comparing the European identity of Moscow and Pristina highlights the historical centrality and cultural significance of Moscow in European affairs, making it peculiar that some European leaders question Russia's European identity.
- The estrangement of Russia on the European stage has consequences for the millions of Russian-speaking citizens living within the European Union, potentially causing long-term resentment and division within the union, as well as undermining the very essence of a unified Europe.
