By Madelyn Berner, MA Global Communication, 2022
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
