ISSUE: 4/2023

  • Volume 27
  • Number 4
  • 2023

Subscribe NEWSLETTER

Studia Europejskie –
Studies in European Affairs

ISSN: 1428-149X
e-ISSN: 2719-3780

Ccbync License

License

Articles published in the journal are under a Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial – No Derivatives 4.0 International License

Conflict as a Strategic Imperative in Putin’s Political Agenda: A Fundamental Component of Russia’s Strategic Framework

Abstract

This paper delves into the nuanced motivations underpinning Russia’s 2014 invasion of Ukraine, centered on preserving stability for Putin’s regime. Examining the intricate interplay between domestic and foreign concerns, the invasion emerged as a pivotal strategy to bolster domestic support and reinforce Russian leadership. Post-2012, Putin, in consolidating power through internal policies and external assertiveness, responded to catalysts – opposition protests in 2012 and Ukraine’s “Revolution of Dignity” in 2014. State-controlled media played a crucial role in shaping narratives, framing the invasion as a defense against alleged Western “imperialist” threats. The paper scrutinises Putin’s strategic evolution, highlighting the convergence of historical events, opposition dynamics, and media narratives in shaping the rationale behind Russia’s impactful incursion into Ukraine.

References

Dugin, A. (2014) W mirie biez Rossii niezaczem żyt, „Izborskij kłub”. 4.08.2014. Available at: https://izborsk-club.ru/3623 (Access 22.09.2023).
Jankowski, P.D., and Stępniewski, T. (eds.) (2022) “NATO’s Northern Flank in the Era of Strategic Competition. Lublin: Instytutu Europy Środkowej”, IEŚ Policy Papers. No. 4.
Fridrichová, K. (2023) “Mugged by reality: Russia’s strategic narratives and the war in Ukraine”, Defense & Security Analysis. Vol. 39(3) “Russia’s aggression against Ukraine: A failed attempt to restore its superpower status”, pp. 281–295. DOI: 10.1080/14751798.2023.2201018.
Kolesnikov, A. (2022) Scientifi c Putinism: Shaping Offi cial Ideology in Russia, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 21.11.2022. Available at: https://carnegieendowment.org/politika/88451 (Access 20.09.2023).
Levada-Center (2023) Putin’s Approval Rating. 30.03.2023. Available at: https://www.levada.ru/en/ratings/ (Access 15.09.2023).
Liik, K. (2022) War of obsession: Why Putin is risking Russia’s future, “European Council on Foreign Relations”. Available at: https://ecfr.eu/article/war-of-obsession-why-putin-is-risking-russias-future/ (Access 15.09.2023).
Miedwiediew, S. (2022) Mat’ rodna. Siergiej Miedwiediew – o wojnie kak nacyonalnoj idieje, „Radio Swoboda”. 18.07.2022. Available at: https://www.svoboda.org/a/matj-rodna-sergey-medvedev-o-voyne-kak-natsionaljnoy-idee/31947357.html?fbclid=IwAR1usTqc9Eb6i3tWAiklQUlJJ0ii8ATjTQMErpYnL8b2sE6rOi2IbdnVC_4 (Access 22.06.2023).
Plokhy, S. (2015) The Last Empire: The Final Days of the Soviet Union. London: Oneworld Publications.
Plotnikov, N. (2023) Wwiedienije in Plotnikov, N. (ed.), Pieried licom katastrofy: sbornik statiej pod riedakcyjej i s priedislowijem Nikolaia Plotnikova. Lit-verlag.de, p. 8.
Polegkyi, O. and Stępniewski, T. (eds.) (2020) “Conflict in Donbas: Endless negotiations and (im)possible solutions. Lublin: Instytut Europy Środkowej”, IEŚ Policy Papers. No. 5.
Rotfeld, A.D. (2014) „Porządek międzynarodowy. Parametry zmiany”, Sprawy Międzynarodowe. No. 4, p. 46.
Sakwa, R. (2015) Frontline Ukraine: Crisis in the Borderlands. London–New York, p. 30.
Stępniewski, T. (2011) Geopolityka regionu Morza Czarnego w pozimnowojennym świecie. Lublin–Warszawa: Instytut Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej, pp. 359–368.
Stępniewski, T. (2016) „Konflikt zbrojny Rosji z Ukrainą i negocjacje pokojowe w Mińsku”, Studia Europejskie. No. 3(79), pp. 43–59.
Stępniewski, T. (2021) ”Geopolityka regionu Morza Czarnego a Unia Europejska”, Rocznik Instytutu Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej. Vol. 19(2), pp. 9–18. DOI: 10.36874/RIESW.2021.2.1.
Surkow, V. (2021) Kuda diełsia chaos? Raspakowka stabilnosti, „Aktualnye kommientarii”. 20.11.2021. Available at: https://actualcomment.ru/kuda-delsya-khaos-raspakovka-stabilnosti-2111201336.html (Access 10.09.2023).
Yanov, A. (1995) After Yeltsin: “Weimar” Russia. Moscow: KRUK, New York: Slovo-Word.

Language: English

Pages: 57-69

How to Cite:

Harvard

Stępniewski, T. (2023) "Conflict as a Strategic Imperative in Putin’s Political Agenda: A Fundamental Component of Russia’s Strategic Framework". Studia Europejskie – Studies in European Affairs, 4/2023, pp. 57-69. DOI: 10.33067/SE.4.2023.4

APA
Chicago