Beyond Norms and Geopolitics: The European Union’s Hybrid Response to the Russia-Ukraine War

Öz

This article explores the transformation of the European Union’s (EU) role in international conflict resolution in light of the Russia-Ukraine war. Traditionally viewed as a normative power, the EU has long relied on diplomacy, economic incentives, and the promotion of democratic values. However, recent geopolitical challenges have exposed the limits of this approach. The EU’s response to the Russia-Ukraine war, marked by unprecedented sanctions, military assistance, and energy policy shifts, demonstrates a shift toward a hybrid model that blends normative and strategic instruments. Drawing on qualitative case study analysis, the article argues that the EU can no longer be understood solely through the lens of normative or geopolitical power. Instead, it has become a hybrid actor, balancing legitimacy-based and coercive tools. While this transformation enhances the EU’s adaptability, internal divisions and reliance on NATO still constrain its agency. The findings offer new insights into the EU’s evolving international identity and crisis management capacity.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Normative Power
• European Union
• Conflict Resolution
• Russia–Ukraine War

Normlar ve Jeopolitiğin Ötesinde: Avrupa Birliği’nin Rusya-Ukrayna Savaşına Hibrit Yanıtı

Öz

Bu makale, Rusya-Ukrayna Savaşı ışığında Avrupa Birliği’nin (AB) uluslararası çatışma çözümündeki rolündeki dönüşümü incelemektedir. Geleneksel olarak normatif bir güç olarak görülen AB, uzun süre diplomasi, ekonomik teşvikler ve demokratik değerlerin yaygınlaştırılmasına dayanmıştır. Ancak, son dönemdeki jeopolitik zorluklar bu yaklaşımın sınırlarını ortaya koymuştur. AB’nin Rusya-Ukrayna Savaşı’na verdiği yanıt benzeri görülmemiş yaptırımlar, askeri destek ve enerji politikalarında değişikliklerle normatif ve stratejik araçların harmanlandığı hibrit bir modele geçişi göstermektedir. Niteliksel vaka analiziyle yazılan makale, AB’nin artık yalnızca normatif ya da jeopolitik güç çerçevesinde anlaşılamayacağını öne sürmektedir. Aksine AB, meşruiyete dayalı ve zorlayıcı araçları dengeleyen hibrit bir aktöre dönüşmüştür. Bu dönüşüm AB’nin uyum yeteneğini artırsa da, iç bölünmeler ve NATO’ya bağımlılık hâlâ etkisini sınırlamaktadır. Bulgular, AB’nin dönüşen uluslararası kimliği ve kriz yönetimi kapasitesi hakkında yeni perspektifler sunmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Normatif Güç
• Avrupa Birliği
• Çatışma Çözümü
• Rusya–Ukrayna Savaşı

Kaynakça

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