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Biographical Narratives and Routines of Putin's Russia in the Context of the Ukraine Crisis

Year 2023, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 57 - 81, 31.07.2023
https://doi.org/10.30913/alinterisosbil.1297155

Abstract

The article argues that Russia's decision to initiate an attack on Ukraine in February 2022 was an inevitable move for both its material and ontological security. By adopting an offensive stance and directly engaging in a conflict with a former Soviet country, Russia transformed the ongoing tension with the West into a full-fledged confrontation. At this juncture, the article primarily emphasizes that Russia's assault on Ukraine has solidified its "anti-Western" rhetoric, which serves as a crucial pillar of its ontological security. However, it asserts that while this aggression bolstered the anti-Western discourse to some extent, it also harmed Russia's ontological security in terms of other biographical narratives and routines. In essence, the article examines the historical development of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and delves beyond the concrete steps taken, exploring the dangers posed by such aggressive behavior to Russia's ontological security, particularly with regard to its biographical narratives and routines. Within this framework, the article posits that Russia's ontological security relies on contemporary biographical narratives and routines rooted in the discourse of the “continuing state”, "strong state", sovereign democracy," "anti-Westernism," "anti-globalism," and "neo-Eurasianism.".

References

  • Publications
  • Aladağ, İ. (2008). SSCB sonrası antlaşmalara halefiyet sorunu. Manas Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 10(19), 129-146. (In Turkish)
  • Bassin, M. (2011). ‘Klasik’ ve ‘Yeni’ avrasyacılık: Geçmişten gelen devamlılık. Bilge Strateji, 2(4), 117-135. (In Turkish)
  • Bebler, A. (2015). Crimea and the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict. Romanian Journal Of European Affairs, 15(1), 1-20.
  • Erşen, E. (2014). Rusya’nın Arap baharı politikası. In A. Gözkaman & P. Paksoy (Eds.), Arap baharı üzerine değerlendirmeler (pp. 115-135). Detay Yayıncılık. (In Turkish)
  • Ertem, H. S., & Düzgün, A. N. (2021). Uluslararası i̇lişkiler disiplininde ontolojik güvenlik teorisi: Kavram ve literatür odaklı bir i̇nceleme. Güvenlik Stratejileri Dergisi, 17(37), 39-83. https://doi.org/10.17752/guvenlikstrtj.905751 (In Turkish)
  • Giddens, A. (1991). Modernity and self-identity. New York: Polity Press.
  • Huysmans, J. (1998). Security! What do you mean?: From concept to thick signifier. European Journal of International Relations, 4, 226-255. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354066198004002004
  • Johnson, D. P., & Thayer, B. A. (2016). The evolution of offensive realism: Survival under anarchy from the Pleistocene to the present. Politics and the Life Sciences, 35(1), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1017/pls.2016.6
  • Katchanovski, I. (2015). The “Snipers’ Massacre” on the Maidan in Ukraine. Research Gates, 1-80.
  • Klein, E. (2022). Transcript: Ezra Klein interviews Emma Ashford. The New York Times.
  • Kvit, S. (2014). Contemporary Ukraine: A case of Euromaidan. Social, Health, and Communication Studies Journal, 1(1), 1-13.
  • Laing, R. D. (1965). The divided self: An existential study in sanity and madness. Penguin UK.
  • Meandzija, B. (2020). Euromaidan – democratic revolution or coup D‟état. Researchgate, 1-18.
  • Mearsheimer, J. J. (2014). The tragedy of great power politics. W.W. Norton & Company Updated Version.
  • Mitzen, J. (2006). Ontological security in world politics: State identity and the security dilemma. European Journal of International Relations, 12(3), 341–370. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354066106067346
  • Mitzen, J., & Larson, K. (2017). Ontological security and foreign policy. Oxford Reference. https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780190463045.001.0001/acref-9780190463045-e-458;jsessionid=4A968BAC4FBE956864A1643DFD20681B
  • Mullerson, R. (1993). The continuity and succession of states, by reference to the former USSR and Yugoslavia. The International and Comparative Law Quarterly, 42(3), 473-493.
  • Mulligan, W. (2022). Erosions, ruptures, and the ending of international orders: Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in historical perspective. Springer Open, 56, 259-267. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12115-022-00715-x
  • Musaoğlu, N. (2015). Putin i̇ktidarı döneminde Rus dış politikasının normatif temelleri: “Egemen demokrası” söylemi. Karadeniz Araştırmaları, 12(45), 13-41. (In Turkish)
  • Rumelili, B., & Adısönmez, U. C. (2020). Uluslararası i̇lişkilerde kimlik-güvenlik i̇lişkisine dair yeni bir paradigma: Ontolojik güvenlik teorisi. Uluslararası İlişkiler Dergisi, 17(66), 23-39. (In Turkish)
  • Rynning, S., & Ringsmose, J. (2008). Why are revisionist states revisionist? Reviving classical realism as an approach to understanding international change. International Politics, 45(1), 19-39. https://doi.org/10.1057/PALGRAVE.IP.8800217
  • Serbest, M. B. (2017). Tarihsel süreçte Rus avrasyacılığı: Klasik avrasyacılıktan neo-avrasyacılığa. Manas Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 6(3), 285-307. (In Turkish)
  • Snyder, G. H. (2002). Mearsheimer's world-offensive realism and the struggle for security: A review essay. International Security, 27(1), 149-173.
  • Steele, B. J. (2008). Ontological security in international relations self-identity and the IR state. Routledge.
  • Trenin, D. V. (2022). “Reissue" of the Russian Federation. Russia in Global Affairs, 20(2), 27-33.
  • Tsygankov, A. P. (2013). Moscow’s soft power strategies. Current History, 112(756), 259-264. https://doi.org/10.1525/curh.2013.112.756.259
  • Zarakol, A. (2010). Ontological (in)security and state denial of historical crimes: Turkey and Japan. International Relations, 24(1), 3-23. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047117809359040
  • Internet Sources
  • Ankov, V. (2019). Russia’s turn to the East: Expectations and the reality. Valdai Discussion Club. https://valdaiclub.com/a/highlights/russia-s-turn-to-the-east-expectations-and-the-rea/
  • Baud, J. (2022). The military situation in the Ukraine. MRonline. https://mronline.org/2022/04/10/the-military-situation-in-the-ukraine/
  • Chotiner, I. (2022). Why John Mearsheimer blames the U.S. for the Crisis in Ukraine. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/why-john-mearsheimer-blames-the-us-for-the-crisis-in-ukraine
  • European Commission. (2023). EU trade relations with Russia. Facts, figures and latest developments. European Commission. https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/russia_en
  • Foxall, A., & Kessler, O. (2014). Yes, there are bad guys in the Ukrainian government. Foreign Poolicy. https://foreignpolicy.com/2014/03/18/yes-there-are-bad-guys-in-the-ukrainian-government/
  • Keçeci, A. İ. (2021). Uluslararası hukukta halefiyet meselesi: SSCB örneği. Uluslararası Politika Akademisi. http://politikaakademisi.org/2021/02/16/uluslararasi-hukukta-halefiyet-meselesi-sscb-ornegi/ (In Turkish)
  • Klein, B., & Liptak, K. (2022). Biden: 'Every indication' is that Russia will attack Ukraine 'within the next several days'. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/17/politics/joe-biden-russia/index.html
  • Leckie, C. (2022). The Ukraine – a decisive transfer of the balance of power from west to east. John Menadue Public Policy Journal. https://johnmenadue.com/cameron-leckie-a-decisive-transfer-of-the-balance-power-from-west-to-east/
  • Lukyanov, F. (2023). What you need to know about Russia-China relations, but were afraid to ask. RT News. https://www.rt.com/news/573630-four-questions-about-russia-and-china/
  • Majeed, Z. (2022). Former US ambassador to Russia claims Washington 'was lying to Ukraine about NATO Bid'. The Republic World. https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/russia-ukraine-crisis/former-us-ambassador-to-russia-claims-washington-was-lying-to-ukraine-about-nato-bid-articleshow.html
  • Manners, I. (2002). ‘European [security] Union: From existential threat to ontological security’, IIS working papers, 05/2002. Copenhagen Peace Research Institute.
  • McDonald, B. (2014). Euromaidan 1st birthday: How the Kiev coup grew (Op-Edge). Russia Today. https://www.rt.com/op-ed/207667-ukraine-anniversary-maidan-coup/
  • McSweeney, B. (1999). Security, identity and interests: A sociology of international relations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Minsk Anlaşması nedir, neleri kapsıyor ve tarafları kimler? (2022). BBC News Türkçe. https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-dunya-60488784 (In Turkish)
  • NewsGuard. (2022). The West staged a coup to overthrow the Ukrainian government in 2014. NewsGaurd. https://static.poder360.com.br/2022/02/2014-Coup-1.pdf
  • Osborn, A., & Nikolskaya, P. (2022). Russia's Putin authorises 'special military operation' against Ukraine. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russias-putin-authorises-military-operations-donbass-domestic-media-2022-02-24/
  • OSCE. (2022). OSCE special monitoring mission to Ukraine. OSCE. https://www.osce.org/special-monitoring-mission-to-ukraine/512842
  • SAM. (2022). US newa. Marca. https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/us-news/2022/05/21/62889d4922601dc00c8b45c5.html
  • Tanis, F. (2022). Thousands of Russians continue to arrive in Turkey, fleeing conscription. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2022/10/09/1127274054/thousands-of-russians-continue-to-arrive-in-turkey-fleeing-conscriptio
  • Teslova, E. (2022). Russia officially recognizes independence from Ukraine of eastern breakaway regions. Anadolu Ajansı. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/russia-officially-recognizes-independence-from-ukraine-of-eastern-breakaway-regions/2509205
  • Ukrinform. (2022). Zelensky enacts strategy for de-occupation and reintegration of Crimea. Ukrinform. https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3214479-zelensky-enacts-strategy-for-deoccupation-and-reintegration-of-crimea.html
  • United Nations. (2022). Human rights committee considers report of the Russian federation in the absence of a delegation, experts raise issues on the persecution of journalists and the arrests of protesters. United Nations Human Rights. https://www.ohchr.org/en/news/2022/10/human-rights-committee-considers-report-russian-federation-absence-delegation-experts
  • Vorobyov, N. (2023). A year on, what do young Russians think of the war in Ukraine? Aljazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/2/a-year-on-what-do-young-russians-think-of-the-war-in-ukraine
  • Yanovsky, O. (2023). Russia looks East to trade. East Asia Forum. https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/05/09/russia-looks-east-to-trade/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter2023-05-14
  • Министр обороны России сообщил иностранным журналистам, что существует особая "восточная демократия". (2014). Newsru. https://www.newsru.com/russia/12jul2004/democracy.html (In Russian)

Ukrayna Krizi Bağlamında Putin Rusyası’nın Biyografik Anlatıları ve Rutinleri

Year 2023, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 57 - 81, 31.07.2023
https://doi.org/10.30913/alinterisosbil.1297155

Abstract

Şubat 2022’de Ukrayna’ya saldırı başlatan Rusya Federasyonu için söz konusu hamle hem maddi hem ontolojik güvenliği için kaçınılmaz bir hamle idi. Saldırgan bir tutumla Rusya’nın eski bir Sovyet ülkesine saldırması, Batı ile süregiden gerginliği, doğrudan bir çatışmaya dönüştürmüştür. Bu noktada, makale temel olarak, Rusya’nın, gerçekleştirdiği Ukrayna saldırısının hegemonik söylem temeline ontolojik güvenliğinin önemli bir sacayağı olan “anti batıcı”lığı yerleştirdiğini ve söz konusu saldırının, bir yere kadar anti batıcı söylemi güçlendirse de Rusya’nın ontolojik güvenliğinin diğer biyografik anlatılarına ve rutinlerine zarar verdiğini öne sürmektedir. Kısaca makale, Rusya’nın Ukrayna işgalinin tarihsel gelişimini, bu gelişimin somut adımlarının ötesinde bu tür bir saldırgan tutumun Rusya’nın özellikle ontolojik güvenliğinin biyografik anlatıları ve rutinleri bakımından ne tür tehlikeler yarattığını ele almaktadır. Bu çerçevede makale Rusya’nın ontolojik güvenliğinin biyografik anlatılarının ve rutinlerinin günümüzde “sürekli devlet”, “güçlü devlet, “egemen demokrasi”, “anti-batıcı” ve “ anti-küresel” söylem ve “neo-avrasyacı” söylemlere dayandığını öne sürmektedir.

References

  • Publications
  • Aladağ, İ. (2008). SSCB sonrası antlaşmalara halefiyet sorunu. Manas Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 10(19), 129-146. (In Turkish)
  • Bassin, M. (2011). ‘Klasik’ ve ‘Yeni’ avrasyacılık: Geçmişten gelen devamlılık. Bilge Strateji, 2(4), 117-135. (In Turkish)
  • Bebler, A. (2015). Crimea and the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict. Romanian Journal Of European Affairs, 15(1), 1-20.
  • Erşen, E. (2014). Rusya’nın Arap baharı politikası. In A. Gözkaman & P. Paksoy (Eds.), Arap baharı üzerine değerlendirmeler (pp. 115-135). Detay Yayıncılık. (In Turkish)
  • Ertem, H. S., & Düzgün, A. N. (2021). Uluslararası i̇lişkiler disiplininde ontolojik güvenlik teorisi: Kavram ve literatür odaklı bir i̇nceleme. Güvenlik Stratejileri Dergisi, 17(37), 39-83. https://doi.org/10.17752/guvenlikstrtj.905751 (In Turkish)
  • Giddens, A. (1991). Modernity and self-identity. New York: Polity Press.
  • Huysmans, J. (1998). Security! What do you mean?: From concept to thick signifier. European Journal of International Relations, 4, 226-255. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354066198004002004
  • Johnson, D. P., & Thayer, B. A. (2016). The evolution of offensive realism: Survival under anarchy from the Pleistocene to the present. Politics and the Life Sciences, 35(1), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1017/pls.2016.6
  • Katchanovski, I. (2015). The “Snipers’ Massacre” on the Maidan in Ukraine. Research Gates, 1-80.
  • Klein, E. (2022). Transcript: Ezra Klein interviews Emma Ashford. The New York Times.
  • Kvit, S. (2014). Contemporary Ukraine: A case of Euromaidan. Social, Health, and Communication Studies Journal, 1(1), 1-13.
  • Laing, R. D. (1965). The divided self: An existential study in sanity and madness. Penguin UK.
  • Meandzija, B. (2020). Euromaidan – democratic revolution or coup D‟état. Researchgate, 1-18.
  • Mearsheimer, J. J. (2014). The tragedy of great power politics. W.W. Norton & Company Updated Version.
  • Mitzen, J. (2006). Ontological security in world politics: State identity and the security dilemma. European Journal of International Relations, 12(3), 341–370. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354066106067346
  • Mitzen, J., & Larson, K. (2017). Ontological security and foreign policy. Oxford Reference. https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780190463045.001.0001/acref-9780190463045-e-458;jsessionid=4A968BAC4FBE956864A1643DFD20681B
  • Mullerson, R. (1993). The continuity and succession of states, by reference to the former USSR and Yugoslavia. The International and Comparative Law Quarterly, 42(3), 473-493.
  • Mulligan, W. (2022). Erosions, ruptures, and the ending of international orders: Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in historical perspective. Springer Open, 56, 259-267. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12115-022-00715-x
  • Musaoğlu, N. (2015). Putin i̇ktidarı döneminde Rus dış politikasının normatif temelleri: “Egemen demokrası” söylemi. Karadeniz Araştırmaları, 12(45), 13-41. (In Turkish)
  • Rumelili, B., & Adısönmez, U. C. (2020). Uluslararası i̇lişkilerde kimlik-güvenlik i̇lişkisine dair yeni bir paradigma: Ontolojik güvenlik teorisi. Uluslararası İlişkiler Dergisi, 17(66), 23-39. (In Turkish)
  • Rynning, S., & Ringsmose, J. (2008). Why are revisionist states revisionist? Reviving classical realism as an approach to understanding international change. International Politics, 45(1), 19-39. https://doi.org/10.1057/PALGRAVE.IP.8800217
  • Serbest, M. B. (2017). Tarihsel süreçte Rus avrasyacılığı: Klasik avrasyacılıktan neo-avrasyacılığa. Manas Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 6(3), 285-307. (In Turkish)
  • Snyder, G. H. (2002). Mearsheimer's world-offensive realism and the struggle for security: A review essay. International Security, 27(1), 149-173.
  • Steele, B. J. (2008). Ontological security in international relations self-identity and the IR state. Routledge.
  • Trenin, D. V. (2022). “Reissue" of the Russian Federation. Russia in Global Affairs, 20(2), 27-33.
  • Tsygankov, A. P. (2013). Moscow’s soft power strategies. Current History, 112(756), 259-264. https://doi.org/10.1525/curh.2013.112.756.259
  • Zarakol, A. (2010). Ontological (in)security and state denial of historical crimes: Turkey and Japan. International Relations, 24(1), 3-23. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047117809359040
  • Internet Sources
  • Ankov, V. (2019). Russia’s turn to the East: Expectations and the reality. Valdai Discussion Club. https://valdaiclub.com/a/highlights/russia-s-turn-to-the-east-expectations-and-the-rea/
  • Baud, J. (2022). The military situation in the Ukraine. MRonline. https://mronline.org/2022/04/10/the-military-situation-in-the-ukraine/
  • Chotiner, I. (2022). Why John Mearsheimer blames the U.S. for the Crisis in Ukraine. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/why-john-mearsheimer-blames-the-us-for-the-crisis-in-ukraine
  • European Commission. (2023). EU trade relations with Russia. Facts, figures and latest developments. European Commission. https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/russia_en
  • Foxall, A., & Kessler, O. (2014). Yes, there are bad guys in the Ukrainian government. Foreign Poolicy. https://foreignpolicy.com/2014/03/18/yes-there-are-bad-guys-in-the-ukrainian-government/
  • Keçeci, A. İ. (2021). Uluslararası hukukta halefiyet meselesi: SSCB örneği. Uluslararası Politika Akademisi. http://politikaakademisi.org/2021/02/16/uluslararasi-hukukta-halefiyet-meselesi-sscb-ornegi/ (In Turkish)
  • Klein, B., & Liptak, K. (2022). Biden: 'Every indication' is that Russia will attack Ukraine 'within the next several days'. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/17/politics/joe-biden-russia/index.html
  • Leckie, C. (2022). The Ukraine – a decisive transfer of the balance of power from west to east. John Menadue Public Policy Journal. https://johnmenadue.com/cameron-leckie-a-decisive-transfer-of-the-balance-power-from-west-to-east/
  • Lukyanov, F. (2023). What you need to know about Russia-China relations, but were afraid to ask. RT News. https://www.rt.com/news/573630-four-questions-about-russia-and-china/
  • Majeed, Z. (2022). Former US ambassador to Russia claims Washington 'was lying to Ukraine about NATO Bid'. The Republic World. https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/russia-ukraine-crisis/former-us-ambassador-to-russia-claims-washington-was-lying-to-ukraine-about-nato-bid-articleshow.html
  • Manners, I. (2002). ‘European [security] Union: From existential threat to ontological security’, IIS working papers, 05/2002. Copenhagen Peace Research Institute.
  • McDonald, B. (2014). Euromaidan 1st birthday: How the Kiev coup grew (Op-Edge). Russia Today. https://www.rt.com/op-ed/207667-ukraine-anniversary-maidan-coup/
  • McSweeney, B. (1999). Security, identity and interests: A sociology of international relations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Minsk Anlaşması nedir, neleri kapsıyor ve tarafları kimler? (2022). BBC News Türkçe. https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-dunya-60488784 (In Turkish)
  • NewsGuard. (2022). The West staged a coup to overthrow the Ukrainian government in 2014. NewsGaurd. https://static.poder360.com.br/2022/02/2014-Coup-1.pdf
  • Osborn, A., & Nikolskaya, P. (2022). Russia's Putin authorises 'special military operation' against Ukraine. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russias-putin-authorises-military-operations-donbass-domestic-media-2022-02-24/
  • OSCE. (2022). OSCE special monitoring mission to Ukraine. OSCE. https://www.osce.org/special-monitoring-mission-to-ukraine/512842
  • SAM. (2022). US newa. Marca. https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/us-news/2022/05/21/62889d4922601dc00c8b45c5.html
  • Tanis, F. (2022). Thousands of Russians continue to arrive in Turkey, fleeing conscription. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2022/10/09/1127274054/thousands-of-russians-continue-to-arrive-in-turkey-fleeing-conscriptio
  • Teslova, E. (2022). Russia officially recognizes independence from Ukraine of eastern breakaway regions. Anadolu Ajansı. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/russia-officially-recognizes-independence-from-ukraine-of-eastern-breakaway-regions/2509205
  • Ukrinform. (2022). Zelensky enacts strategy for de-occupation and reintegration of Crimea. Ukrinform. https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3214479-zelensky-enacts-strategy-for-deoccupation-and-reintegration-of-crimea.html
  • United Nations. (2022). Human rights committee considers report of the Russian federation in the absence of a delegation, experts raise issues on the persecution of journalists and the arrests of protesters. United Nations Human Rights. https://www.ohchr.org/en/news/2022/10/human-rights-committee-considers-report-russian-federation-absence-delegation-experts
  • Vorobyov, N. (2023). A year on, what do young Russians think of the war in Ukraine? Aljazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/2/a-year-on-what-do-young-russians-think-of-the-war-in-ukraine
  • Yanovsky, O. (2023). Russia looks East to trade. East Asia Forum. https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/05/09/russia-looks-east-to-trade/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter2023-05-14
  • Министр обороны России сообщил иностранным журналистам, что существует особая "восточная демократия". (2014). Newsru. https://www.newsru.com/russia/12jul2004/democracy.html (In Russian)
There are 54 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects International Relations
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Ayşe Kavuncu 0000-0002-2201-6594

Malang Faye 0009-0006-6704-7067

Publication Date July 31, 2023
Published in Issue Year 2023 Volume: 7 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Kavuncu, A., & Faye, M. (2023). Biographical Narratives and Routines of Putin’s Russia in the Context of the Ukraine Crisis. Alınteri Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 7(1), 57-81. https://doi.org/10.30913/alinterisosbil.1297155