The Hill | The threat of Russian nationalism looms over Europe

The threat of Russian nationalism poses a serious danger to Europe, as emphasized by the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in his speech in April. Russia is attempting to reassert its influence, particularly through its war against Ukraine, which undermines European security. What impact does the reemergence of Russian nationalism, supported by China, have on European security, and how should the West respond to this geopolitical reality? In his commentary for the American news website The Hill, Hugo Blewett-Mundy, an external collaborator and research fellow at EUROPEUM Institute, addresses this topic.

A fragile sense of nationhood is one of Russia’s many complexities. The Mongol occupation between the 13th and 15th centuries meant that Russian national identity became preoccupied with national defense. And on the vast Eurasian plain with few natural boundaries, defense took the form of territorial expansion. Ever since then, the drive to “gather the Russian lands” has shaped Russia’s understanding of itself in what it sees as a hostile international system.

You can read the whole article here.