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The Cooperative Narratives of the EU, NATO, and the Netherlands

April 18, 2022May 10, 2022Europe, Russia6 Comments

By Yael Velvel, MA Media and Strategic Communication ’23

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/AP)

The Netherlands has historically served as a humanitarian home for political and religious refugees. Following the Second World War, the country recognized the need for a strategic alliance with its neighboring countries in order to preserve this identity, and became a founding NATO member in 1949. Despite the Netherland’s size, it took on an unusually large role in preserving peace and international order for the new alliance of nations.

While Russia portrays the Ukrainians as a Nazi-infested government, the Ukraine’s goal to elicit Western support prior to Russia’s invasion has proven fruitful in the West. Unsurprisingly, the Netherlands’ diplomatic narrative stands in solidarity with Ukraine, the EU, and NATO, and in stark opposition to that of Russia.

As Russia loomed outside of Ukraine in February, 2022, threatening to invade, Dutch Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Marke Rutte met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv to celebrate the upcoming 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationships between the two countries. Together, they expressed ongoing support for mutual interests – a key strategy of Ukraine’s to elicit support and legitimize its democracy in the eyes of the West. In a joint statement, Prime Minister (PM) Rutte expressed his unwavering support for Ukraine in its efforts to combat Russian aggression at its borders, and both leaders emphasized the importance of a peaceful solution. PM Rutte vocalized his appreciation for Ukraine’s allied efforts and supported Ukraine’s EU aspirations.

The Netherlands echoed the EU and NATO’s contestation of Russia’s narrative. In their official statements, the Dutch government framed the conflict as an illegal act of aggression and an attack on Western Europe’s democratic values. It is an open contestation of Russia’s narrative, which argued that their invasion is a strategic military operation to free the Ukranian people of a fascist, Nazi regime, and expressed its desire to re-absorb the nation into Russia. NATO’s official statements framed the invasion as an attack on democracy and internationally recognized borders. In her first statement following the invasion, EU President von der Leyen framed the invasion as an attack on Europe, European stability, and international peace.

The Dutch statement on PM Rutte’s visit with President Zelenskyy underscored the nations’ concurrent values and identity narratives. In their meeting, the two leaders underscored that their alliance is based upon “shared values and principles of freedom, democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights”. These values are part of the Netherlands’ core identity as a liberal democracy, and the statement evidences the Ukrainian government’s commitment to instilling these values into the identity of their own young nation. Even more, it demonstrates Ukraine’s attempt to raise its status in the new global order. Dutch support for Ukrainian resistance to an invading nation also taps into their own historical identity: the Dutch, although swiftly defeated by German forces, were committed to resisting foreign occupation during the Second World War.

When Russian forces invaded Ukraine, the Netherlands joined their defensive allies, the United Kingdom and Canada, in releasing a joint statement. The trilateral statement condemned Russia’s violations of international law and reiterated their unwavering support for Ukrainian resistance. As a member nation of the EU and NATO, the Netherlands’ statements closely resemble the rhetoric and stance of the EU and NATO in combating Russian aggression and supporting Ukraine. The Netherlands underscored in the trilateral statement the importance of humanitarian action to protect Ukraine’s most vulnerable populations: women, children, and the elderly. Its identity as an EU and NATO member nation is also demonstrated in the trilateral statement with its strategic defense partners, the United Kingdom and Canada. The three NATO nations’ shared identities as free, democratic nations and history as cooperative allies during WWII undoubtedly influenced their commitment “to sustain and coordinate the political, humanitarian, economic and defence support that is so vital for a free and independent Ukraine.”

Dutch membership of NATO and the EU demonstrates cohesiveness between national identity narratives and global system narratives. The Netherlands’ joint statements with President Zelenskyy, and the U.K. and Canada, tap into the core qualities of NATO and EU: the importance of democracy, independent sovereignty, and peaceful resolution; as well as NATO and the EU’s desire to preserve Ukrainian sovereignty.

NATO and the EU operate as global peace keepers, and proponents of democracy and liberal society. Following the Cold War, the EU’s primary strategy to stabilize Europe was to expand its membership and encourage neighboring nations to adopt EU values. Although Ukraine is not an EU member, it has made its intentions to join the EU exceptionally clear. The EU has not been unsupportive of Ukraine’s intentions, but has expressed that certain reforms must be put into place before Ukraine has the strength and values of an EU member nation.

Moreover, the Netherland’s individual statements are strategically aligned with the narratives of Ukraine, NATO, and the EU in stark contestation to Russia’s. Given the Netherland’s historic ties to NATO and the EU, it is highly unlikely they will stray from the approved messaging frame, and will continue to be a cooperative player in the war against Russia.

For more on the topic by the author, please click here.

The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author. They do not express the views of the Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication or the George Washington University.

The EU and Russia: Narratives Collide Over Belarus

April 5, 2021May 10, 2021Europe, Russia15 Comments

By Madelyn Berner, MA Global Communication, 2022

*Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov meets with EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell. | EFE via EPA*

The European Union and Russia have long held competing narratives that prohibit the two sides from closer political cooperation. The EU is a supranational body of 27 member countries, founded on cooperation, solidarity, and protection against authoritarianism. This all contrasts sharply with Russia, which has maintained a more isolationist master narrative on the world stage. The glaring discrepancies in these two narratives make the international playing field increasingly difficult to maneuver.

Young and Old, Open and Closed

Russia’s master narrative has roots going back thousands of years, through a long and thorny history of vanquishment, collapse, and meddling from outside countries. Thanks to these struggles, Russia has developed into a more isolationist nation, or an “independent center of power on the world stage.”

In contrast, the master narratives driving the European Union are those of mediator, team player, and global policeman. By the end of World War II, the Soviet Union had already established itself on the world stage, but the EU was in its infancy, born out of this dark, divided period. Today, the bloc boasts a credo that emphasizes international cooperation and the stalwart defense of democratic values. Under the leadership of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the EU has established itself as a beacon of cooperation and inherent goodness. Its diplomats preach this identity around the world through its own system narratives. This is exemplified through its unwavering support for institutions like the United Nations and World Health Organization, as well as its commitment to delivering aid to struggling countries. From the bloodshed of the previous century to Donald Trump’s presidency, it is not surprising that the EU wants to be viewed as this generation’s global defender of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law – a supranational policeman protecting people from repression and violence.

Instability Opens a Narrative Vacuum

These narratives clash in Belarus, a fledgling nation previously under Soviet control and still feeling the weight of its shadow. Because of this, Belarus is still searching and formulating its own master narrative, leaving it vulnerable to outside influence. The EU enters wielding its narratives of rule of law and democratic values. Russia follows suit with its own narrative of protecting against outside influence.

*Embattled Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. | AFP via Getty Image*

Last summer, Belarus became mired in protests following an election widely believed to have been rigged in favor of incumbent leader Alexander Lukashenko. This instability has created a glaring chasm in the Belarusian identity – a prime opportunity for Russia to present itself as the answer to the West’s crooked influence. Putin has said that he wants Belarus to reactivate stalled plans for more integration with Russia. He even offered to set up a police force to support Lukashenko. Belarus is a middle-man country for Russian oil flowing West, and Moscow views Belarus as a buffer against encroaching NATO power. To protect itself from what it thinks is a Western threat to Russian sovereignty, Moscow is attempting to manipulate this situation to its benefit.

On the other side of this moral divide, proclaiming its devotion to democracy and the rule of the law, stands the EU. The situation in Belarus is attractive to the EU’s master narrative as international mediator and its system narratives of international cooperation. It is the largest donor of financial assistance to Belarus, and its success is important to stifling Russian influence in Eastern Europe. The EU has condemned the elections as unfree and unfair. EU leaders have been vocal in their opposition to Lukashenko, releasing statements, implementing sanctions, and supporting opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. Unlike Putin, the EU has not promised any military intervention, hoping its diplomatic, mediating role will quell the need for further violence. Reducing political chaos in Belarus is also essential to maintaining a workable rapport with Russia, as several EU countries still depend on it economically – another system narrative.

The Battle Rages On

An unstable political situation in one country can help launch a proxy war between larger powers attempting to install their master narratives as the superior one. The narrative battle between the EU and Russia has serious implications for international affairs. The EU has been working to establish itself as a potent superpower intent on defending human rights and the rule of law for all. As it integrates more countries into its democratic web, this massive supranational bloc inches closer to Russia’s borders. In response, Russia remains apprehensive over how the West’s encroaching influence could stymie its own journey toward global primacy. After all, repeating history is not an option. Belarus shows us what happens when these two contrasting identities meet. Which narrative will prevail? The answer could influence other Eastern European nations to stand against Russia – or drive the rise of Soviet Union 2.0.

For an in-depth analysis by the author on the subject Click Here.

The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author. They do not express the views of the Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication or the George Washington University.

Main photo: A demonstrator waves the historical white-red-white flag of Belarus during a demonstration in Minsk, Belarus. | Reuters

Connecting in the time of Covid-19: US Embassy Moscow

June 2, 2020July 8, 2020Europe, in the field, PDx, public diplomacy, Russia, Social Media

With a global pandemic and lockdowns in many countries, U.S. diplomats have to find different ways to engage with people in their host countries. In this PDx episode, GW student Olivia Estes interviews Karl Stoltz, Counselor for Public Affairs at the US Embassy in Moscow, Russia.

Together with the challenges of the U.S.-Russia bilateral relationship, Karl and his Public Affairs team have had to be very creative in coming up with content for virtual programs that would appeal to the Russian public who are stuck at home. He even recruited family to participate in a presentation on American music!

Karl also recounts his previous posting to Moscow, right before the fall of the Berlin Wall; and crises he has experienced in other countries. Karl is a Senior Foreign Service Officer who joined the service in 1986 and has served in Washington, D.C., Europe, Africa, East Asia, and the Pacific. Karl was the GW Visiting State Department Public Diplomacy Fellow, 2018 – 2019.

Please enjoy this PDx episode on Connecting in the time of Covid-19: US Embassy Moscow.

Other PDx episodes are available here.