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A Constructivist Perspective: Russia’s Politics on Ukraine and Annexation of Crimea (2014)

Year 2021, Volume: 12 Issue: 22, 53 - 88, 01.11.2021

Abstract

In the study, Russia’s relationship with Ukraine in terms of the annexation of Crimea is discussed using the Constructivist paradigm, which considers identity as the main motivation of states› behavior. Since Russia›s annexation of Crimea is due to the deterioration of Russia›s relations with Ukraine and Ukraine›s rapprochement with Western alliances, Russia›s relations with Ukraine were included in the study, and the annexation of Crimea is tried to be explained depending on these relations. On the issue of annexation, Russia strives not to be harmed its interests, which are based on its identity and tries to construct norms and create an appropriate discourse by emphasizing that Russia acts in accordance with international law. The case of Crimea is closely linked to Russia›s common history and culture with Ukraine, and the country›s mental codes, basic identity features that have existed for centuries.

References

  • Adrian Karatnycky, “Ukraine’s Orange Revolution”, Council on Foreign Relations, Foreign Affairs, vol. 84, no. 2 (2005).
  • Alexander Wendt, The Return of Culture and Identity in Theory “Identitiy and Structural Change in International Politics”, Ed. Yosef Lapid, (London :1996)
  • Alexei Moiseev, “Concerning Certain Positions on the Ukrainian Issue in International Law,” Russian Politics & Law , Routledge Press, vol. 53, no. 2 (2015)
  • Anar Somuncuoğlu, “Roma Katolik Kilisesi ve Fener Rum Patrikhanesi’nin Eski Sovyet Alanındaki Faaliyetleri” ASAM Press, Stratejik Analiz, ASAM Press, vol. 3, no. 28 (Ankara: 2002) Anar Somuncuoğlu, Rus Ortodoks Kilisesinin Eski Sovyet Alanındaki Misyonu, Karadeniz Araştırmaları, no. 2 (Summer, 2004) http://www.karam.org.tr/Makaleler/992132737_somuncuo- glu.pdf
  • Anna Dolya, “The Annexation of Crimea: Lessons for European Se- curity”, European Isuuses, Fondation Robert Schuman Policy Pa- per, no 382, (23 February 2016 )
  • Anton Bebler, “Criemea and the Russian- Ukranian Confilict”, Ro- manian Journal of European Affairs, vol 15, No 1, (2015)
  • Dalaklis Dimitrios, “The Geopolitical Dimensions of Ukranian Cri- sis”, 2015. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282007294_The_Geopo- litical_Dimensions_of_the_Ukrainian_Crisis
  • Dana Tandilasvili, “Classical Realist and Norm Based Constrac- tivist Analysis of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and Annexation of Criema”, Towson University Journal of International Affairs, vol. XLIX, no. 1, (Fall, 2015) https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/wp.towson.edu/dist/b/55/ files/2016/06/SPRING16FALL15ISSUEpt2-1jhiif4.pdf
  • Dimitri Trenin, Russia’s Changing Identitiy : In Search of A Role in the 21st Century, Carnegie Moscow Centre, 18.07.2019, https:// carnegie.ru/commentary/79521
  • Emanuel Adler, “Constuctivism in International Relations: Sources, Contributions, and Debates”, Handbook of International Rela- tions, 2. Ed. , Ed by Walter Carlsnaes, Thomas Risse, Beth A. Simmons Gwendolyn Sasse, The Crimea Question: Identity, Transition, and Conflict, Ukranian Research Instıtute Harvard University, (Cambridge, Maassachusettes: 2007)
  • Henry Kissenger, “To Settle the Ukranie Crisis Start at the End”, The Washington Post, 5.3.2014, https://www.washingtonpost.com/ opinions/henry-kissinger-to-settle-the-ukraine-crisis-start-at-the- end/2014/03/05/46dad868-a496-11e3-8466-d34c451760b9_story. html?utm_term=.65ddae2c9212
  • Ian Hurd, “Constructivism”, International Relations, The Oxford Handbook, ed. Christian Reus- Smit, Duncan Snidal, Oxford Univ- eristy Press
  • Igor Torbakov, “Rusya’da Ayrı ya da Rusya’nın bir Parçası: Ukray- na-Rusya İlişkilerinin Kederli bir Destanı”, Avrasya Dosyası, vol. 6, no.4 (Winter, 2001)
  • Igor Torbakov, “Why Did the Conflict in Ukraine Start? A Realist and a Social Constructivist Approach”, AALBORG UNIVERSITY: AUGUST 2016 SCHOOL OF CULTURE AND GLOBAL STUD- IES (CGS): EUROPEAN STUDIES https://projekter.aau.dk/projekter/files/239568100/Why_did_the_ conflict_in_Ukraine_start_A_realist_and_social_constructivist_approach_Author_Ioan_Alexandru_Onati_Supervisor_Wolfgang_ Zank.pdf
  • Irina Shakhrai, “The Legıtımızatıon of Authorıtarıan Rule Through Constructed External Threats: Russıan Propaganda Durıng The Ukraınıan Crısıs”, East European Quarterly, vol. 43, no. 1, (March 2015)
  • Iurii Opoka, “International Approaches to the Crisis in Ukraine”, Polish Journal of Political Science, vol. 2, no. 2, (2016)
  • İlyas Kamalov, Putin’in Rusyası: KGB’den Devlet Baskanlığına, (İstanbul, Kaknüs Press 2004 )
  • Ivan Krastev, “What Does Russia Want and Why?”, Prospect, 6 Mart 2014, https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/what-does-rus- sia-want-and-why
  • Iver B. Neumann, “Russia as a Great Power”, Russia as a Greta Power, Dimensions of Security Under Putin, Ed. Jakob Heden- skog, Vilhelm Konnander, Bertil Nygren, Ingmar
  • Oldberg, Christer Pursianem, ( Newyork : Routledge Press, 2005 ) John Biersack & Shannon O’Lear, “The geopolitics of Russia’s An- nexation of Crimea: narratives, identity, silences, and energy”, Eur- asian Geography and Economics, vol. 55, no. 3, (2014)
  • John J. Mearsheimer, “Why the Ukranian Crisis is the West’s Fault?”, Foreign Affairs, (September-October 2014)
  • Kadri Liik, Momchil Metodiev, Nicu Popescu, “Defender of the Faith? How Ukraine’s Orthodox Split Threatens Russia?”, Euro- pean Council on Foreign Relations, Policy Brief, 30.05. 2019 2019https://ecfr.eu/publication/defender_of_the_faith_how_ ukraines_orthodox_split_threatens_russia/
  • Mara Kozelsky, “Don’t Underestimate Importance of Religion for Understanding Russias Actions in Crimea”, The Washington Post, 13.03.2014, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/ wp/2014/03/13/dont-underestimate-importance-of-religion-for-un- derstanding-russias-actions-in-crimea/
  • Margaret P. Karns, Karen A. Mingst, International Organizations: The Politics and Processes of Global Govarnance, (London : Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2004)
  • Nicholas Onuf, International Relations in a Constructed World, “Constructivism: A User’s Manual”, Ed. Vendulka Kubalkova, Nich- olas Onuf, Paul Kowert, (Londra: M:E. Sharpe Inc. Press, 1998)
  • One Year On Violations of the Rights to Freedom of Expression, Assembly and Association in Crimea, Amnesty International, 2015, London https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/EUR50/1129/2015/en/
  • Peter J. Duncan, “Contemporaray Russian Identity Between East and West”, Cambridge The Historical Journal, vol. 48, no. 1, (March 2005 ) https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/historical-journal/article/ abs/contemporary-russian-identity-between-east-and-west/02AE32 765B16C104869D71B8F241D7
  • Peter Pomerantsev, “Yes, Russia Matters: Putin’s Guerrilla Strategy“ World Affairs, vol. 177, no.3 (September-October 2014)
  • Rey Koslowski, Frededrich V. Kratochwill, “Understanding Change in International Poltics: the Soviet Empire’s Demise and the Interna- tional System”, International Organization, vol. 48, no. 2, (1994, Autumn)
  • Riccardo Alcaro, “West- Russia in Light of the Ukraine Crisis”, IAI Research Papers, Ed. Riccardo Alcaro, Roma, 2015, Report of the Transatlantic Security Symposium https://www.iai.it/sites/default/files/iairp_18.pdf
  • Rusya’nın agresif politikalarında “Kırım” Örneği, Savunma.tr web site, 07.01.2021, https://www.savunmatr.com/arastirma-analiz/ rusya-nin-agresif-politikalarinda-kirim-ornegi-h6111.html
  • Rusya’nın Doğu Politikası, Ed. Sezgin Kaya, (Ekin Press, 2013)
  • Sait Sönmez, Harun Bıçakçı, Cuma Yıldırım, “Kırım Sorunu Bağlamında Rusya-Ukrayna İlişkilerinin Analizi”, International Journal of Social Sciences and Education Resesarch, vol. 1 , no. 3, 2015, 657
  • Sarina Onlar, “Introducing Constarctivism in International Real- tions Theory”, E-International relations, 23.02.2018 https://www.e-ir.info/2018/02/23/introducing-constructivism-in-in-ternational-relations-theory/
  • Selim Kurt, “Güvenlikleştirme Kuramı Açısından Rusya Federa- syonu-Ukrayna Çatışmasını Anlamak”, Ankara Üniversitesi SBF Journal, vol. 75, no.1 (2020, January- March) Stefano Guzzini “ A Reconstruciton of Constractivism in Interna- tional Relations”, European Journal of International Relations, SAGE Publications, vol. 6, no. 147 (2000)
  • Taras Kuzio, “Identity and Nation-Building in Ukraine Defining the ‘Other’,” Ethnicities, SAGE Publications, vol. 1, no. 3, (2001)
  • Taras Kuzio, Paul D’anieri, The Sources of Russia’s Great Pow- er Politics, Ukraine and the Challenge to the European Order, (Bristol England, , E-International Relations Publishing, 2018 )
  • Taras Kuzio, Paul D’anieri, “The Causes and Consequences of Rus- sia’s Actions Towards Ukraine”, 16.06.2018, E-International Rela- tions https://www.e-ir.info/2018/06/16/the-causes-and-consequences-of- russias-actions-towards-ukraine/#_ftnref3

A Constructivist Perspective: Russia’s Politics on Ukraine and Annexation of Crimea (2014)

Year 2021, Volume: 12 Issue: 22, 53 - 88, 01.11.2021

Abstract

In the study, Russia’s relationship with Ukraine in terms of the annexation of Crimea is discussed using the Constructivist paradigm, which considers identity as the main motivation of states› behavior. Since Russia›s annexation of Crimea is due to the deterioration of Russia›s relations with Ukraine and Ukraine›s rapprochement with Western alliances, Russia›s relations with Ukraine were included in the study, and the annexation of Crimea is tried to be explained depending on these relations. On the issue of annexation, Russia strives not to be harmed its interests, which are based on its identity and tries to construct norms and create an appropriate discourse by emphasizing that Russia acts in accordance with international law. The case of Crimea is closely linked to Russia›s common history and culture with Ukraine, and the country›s mental codes, basic identity features that have existed for centuries.

References

  • Adrian Karatnycky, “Ukraine’s Orange Revolution”, Council on Foreign Relations, Foreign Affairs, vol. 84, no. 2 (2005).
  • Alexander Wendt, The Return of Culture and Identity in Theory “Identitiy and Structural Change in International Politics”, Ed. Yosef Lapid, (London :1996)
  • Alexei Moiseev, “Concerning Certain Positions on the Ukrainian Issue in International Law,” Russian Politics & Law , Routledge Press, vol. 53, no. 2 (2015)
  • Anar Somuncuoğlu, “Roma Katolik Kilisesi ve Fener Rum Patrikhanesi’nin Eski Sovyet Alanındaki Faaliyetleri” ASAM Press, Stratejik Analiz, ASAM Press, vol. 3, no. 28 (Ankara: 2002) Anar Somuncuoğlu, Rus Ortodoks Kilisesinin Eski Sovyet Alanındaki Misyonu, Karadeniz Araştırmaları, no. 2 (Summer, 2004) http://www.karam.org.tr/Makaleler/992132737_somuncuo- glu.pdf
  • Anna Dolya, “The Annexation of Crimea: Lessons for European Se- curity”, European Isuuses, Fondation Robert Schuman Policy Pa- per, no 382, (23 February 2016 )
  • Anton Bebler, “Criemea and the Russian- Ukranian Confilict”, Ro- manian Journal of European Affairs, vol 15, No 1, (2015)
  • Dalaklis Dimitrios, “The Geopolitical Dimensions of Ukranian Cri- sis”, 2015. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282007294_The_Geopo- litical_Dimensions_of_the_Ukrainian_Crisis
  • Dana Tandilasvili, “Classical Realist and Norm Based Constrac- tivist Analysis of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and Annexation of Criema”, Towson University Journal of International Affairs, vol. XLIX, no. 1, (Fall, 2015) https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/wp.towson.edu/dist/b/55/ files/2016/06/SPRING16FALL15ISSUEpt2-1jhiif4.pdf
  • Dimitri Trenin, Russia’s Changing Identitiy : In Search of A Role in the 21st Century, Carnegie Moscow Centre, 18.07.2019, https:// carnegie.ru/commentary/79521
  • Emanuel Adler, “Constuctivism in International Relations: Sources, Contributions, and Debates”, Handbook of International Rela- tions, 2. Ed. , Ed by Walter Carlsnaes, Thomas Risse, Beth A. Simmons Gwendolyn Sasse, The Crimea Question: Identity, Transition, and Conflict, Ukranian Research Instıtute Harvard University, (Cambridge, Maassachusettes: 2007)
  • Henry Kissenger, “To Settle the Ukranie Crisis Start at the End”, The Washington Post, 5.3.2014, https://www.washingtonpost.com/ opinions/henry-kissinger-to-settle-the-ukraine-crisis-start-at-the- end/2014/03/05/46dad868-a496-11e3-8466-d34c451760b9_story. html?utm_term=.65ddae2c9212
  • Ian Hurd, “Constructivism”, International Relations, The Oxford Handbook, ed. Christian Reus- Smit, Duncan Snidal, Oxford Univ- eristy Press
  • Igor Torbakov, “Rusya’da Ayrı ya da Rusya’nın bir Parçası: Ukray- na-Rusya İlişkilerinin Kederli bir Destanı”, Avrasya Dosyası, vol. 6, no.4 (Winter, 2001)
  • Igor Torbakov, “Why Did the Conflict in Ukraine Start? A Realist and a Social Constructivist Approach”, AALBORG UNIVERSITY: AUGUST 2016 SCHOOL OF CULTURE AND GLOBAL STUD- IES (CGS): EUROPEAN STUDIES https://projekter.aau.dk/projekter/files/239568100/Why_did_the_ conflict_in_Ukraine_start_A_realist_and_social_constructivist_approach_Author_Ioan_Alexandru_Onati_Supervisor_Wolfgang_ Zank.pdf
  • Irina Shakhrai, “The Legıtımızatıon of Authorıtarıan Rule Through Constructed External Threats: Russıan Propaganda Durıng The Ukraınıan Crısıs”, East European Quarterly, vol. 43, no. 1, (March 2015)
  • Iurii Opoka, “International Approaches to the Crisis in Ukraine”, Polish Journal of Political Science, vol. 2, no. 2, (2016)
  • İlyas Kamalov, Putin’in Rusyası: KGB’den Devlet Baskanlığına, (İstanbul, Kaknüs Press 2004 )
  • Ivan Krastev, “What Does Russia Want and Why?”, Prospect, 6 Mart 2014, https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/what-does-rus- sia-want-and-why
  • Iver B. Neumann, “Russia as a Great Power”, Russia as a Greta Power, Dimensions of Security Under Putin, Ed. Jakob Heden- skog, Vilhelm Konnander, Bertil Nygren, Ingmar
  • Oldberg, Christer Pursianem, ( Newyork : Routledge Press, 2005 ) John Biersack & Shannon O’Lear, “The geopolitics of Russia’s An- nexation of Crimea: narratives, identity, silences, and energy”, Eur- asian Geography and Economics, vol. 55, no. 3, (2014)
  • John J. Mearsheimer, “Why the Ukranian Crisis is the West’s Fault?”, Foreign Affairs, (September-October 2014)
  • Kadri Liik, Momchil Metodiev, Nicu Popescu, “Defender of the Faith? How Ukraine’s Orthodox Split Threatens Russia?”, Euro- pean Council on Foreign Relations, Policy Brief, 30.05. 2019 2019https://ecfr.eu/publication/defender_of_the_faith_how_ ukraines_orthodox_split_threatens_russia/
  • Mara Kozelsky, “Don’t Underestimate Importance of Religion for Understanding Russias Actions in Crimea”, The Washington Post, 13.03.2014, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/ wp/2014/03/13/dont-underestimate-importance-of-religion-for-un- derstanding-russias-actions-in-crimea/
  • Margaret P. Karns, Karen A. Mingst, International Organizations: The Politics and Processes of Global Govarnance, (London : Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2004)
  • Nicholas Onuf, International Relations in a Constructed World, “Constructivism: A User’s Manual”, Ed. Vendulka Kubalkova, Nich- olas Onuf, Paul Kowert, (Londra: M:E. Sharpe Inc. Press, 1998)
  • One Year On Violations of the Rights to Freedom of Expression, Assembly and Association in Crimea, Amnesty International, 2015, London https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/EUR50/1129/2015/en/
  • Peter J. Duncan, “Contemporaray Russian Identity Between East and West”, Cambridge The Historical Journal, vol. 48, no. 1, (March 2005 ) https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/historical-journal/article/ abs/contemporary-russian-identity-between-east-and-west/02AE32 765B16C104869D71B8F241D7
  • Peter Pomerantsev, “Yes, Russia Matters: Putin’s Guerrilla Strategy“ World Affairs, vol. 177, no.3 (September-October 2014)
  • Rey Koslowski, Frededrich V. Kratochwill, “Understanding Change in International Poltics: the Soviet Empire’s Demise and the Interna- tional System”, International Organization, vol. 48, no. 2, (1994, Autumn)
  • Riccardo Alcaro, “West- Russia in Light of the Ukraine Crisis”, IAI Research Papers, Ed. Riccardo Alcaro, Roma, 2015, Report of the Transatlantic Security Symposium https://www.iai.it/sites/default/files/iairp_18.pdf
  • Rusya’nın agresif politikalarında “Kırım” Örneği, Savunma.tr web site, 07.01.2021, https://www.savunmatr.com/arastirma-analiz/ rusya-nin-agresif-politikalarinda-kirim-ornegi-h6111.html
  • Rusya’nın Doğu Politikası, Ed. Sezgin Kaya, (Ekin Press, 2013)
  • Sait Sönmez, Harun Bıçakçı, Cuma Yıldırım, “Kırım Sorunu Bağlamında Rusya-Ukrayna İlişkilerinin Analizi”, International Journal of Social Sciences and Education Resesarch, vol. 1 , no. 3, 2015, 657
  • Sarina Onlar, “Introducing Constarctivism in International Real- tions Theory”, E-International relations, 23.02.2018 https://www.e-ir.info/2018/02/23/introducing-constructivism-in-in-ternational-relations-theory/
  • Selim Kurt, “Güvenlikleştirme Kuramı Açısından Rusya Federa- syonu-Ukrayna Çatışmasını Anlamak”, Ankara Üniversitesi SBF Journal, vol. 75, no.1 (2020, January- March) Stefano Guzzini “ A Reconstruciton of Constractivism in Interna- tional Relations”, European Journal of International Relations, SAGE Publications, vol. 6, no. 147 (2000)
  • Taras Kuzio, “Identity and Nation-Building in Ukraine Defining the ‘Other’,” Ethnicities, SAGE Publications, vol. 1, no. 3, (2001)
  • Taras Kuzio, Paul D’anieri, The Sources of Russia’s Great Pow- er Politics, Ukraine and the Challenge to the European Order, (Bristol England, , E-International Relations Publishing, 2018 )
  • Taras Kuzio, Paul D’anieri, “The Causes and Consequences of Rus- sia’s Actions Towards Ukraine”, 16.06.2018, E-International Rela- tions https://www.e-ir.info/2018/06/16/the-causes-and-consequences-of- russias-actions-towards-ukraine/#_ftnref3
There are 38 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects International Relations
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Ayşegül Ketenci This is me 0000-0003-3165-7358

Çiğdem Nas This is me

Publication Date November 1, 2021
Submission Date February 5, 2021
Acceptance Date October 20, 2021
Published in Issue Year 2021 Volume: 12 Issue: 22

Cite

APA Ketenci, A., & Nas, Ç. (2021). A Constructivist Perspective: Russia’s Politics on Ukraine and Annexation of Crimea (2014). Bilge Strateji, 12(22), 53-88.