The geopolitical conception of Russia’s war on Ukraine: Neo-Eurasianism and Eurasian regionalism

Abstract

Russian aggression against Ukraine shook the ‚balance of power’ in international relations and demonstrated a disruption in the ‘offense-defense balance’ worldwide. This paper advances Foreign Policy Analysis and International Relations by showcasing a new study of Russian foreign policy. This original research offers a unique study on congruency in analytical concepts of Eurasian regionalism and Neo-Eurasianism based on Arendt’s ideological conceptualization. The constructivist approach to Russian ideology and state identity broadens the scientific scope and enriches understanding of the ideational reasons for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The deeper insight into the regional cooperation in ‘Eurasia’ through Russian-chaired organizations indicates coherence between Eurasian regionalism and the postulates of Neo-Eurasianism. On this, Russia’s failure to lure Ukraine into regional cooperation with ‘soft’ power resulted in ‘hard’ militarism. The analysis of the original texts of Russian ideologist Dugin demonstrates that the reshaping of the world order starts with Ukraine, but it does not end.