Putin's Russia: exploiting the weaknesses of liberal Europe

Author(s): Jonas Grätz
Editor(s): Oliver Thränert, Martin Zapfe
Series Editor(s): Andreas Wenger
Book Title: Strategic Trends 2015: Key Developments in Global Affairs
Series: Strategic Trends
Pages: 27-44
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich
Publication Year: 2015
Publication Place: Zurich

Russia's aggression against Ukraine has brought war back into Europe. In addition, it presents a threefold challenge to an already weakened liberal Europe: With regard to security, Moscow has spoiled the EU's approach of transforming its neighborhood while disregarding the power of military coercion. Furthermore, Russia's President Vladimir Putin can also exploit the existing weaknesses of the EU's economic policies and the waning enthusiasm for the EU's liberalism in member states. Collectively, those challenges result in a crisis of the EU's liberal order.

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