How national identity can explain divisions between EU member states over Russia

This article draws on the author’s 2017 book, National Identities and Foreign Policy in the European Union: The Russia Policy of Germany, Poland and Finland (ECPR Press, 2017)The EU introduced a series of sanctions against Russia following the Ukraine crisis, but divisions persist between EU member states over how to engage with its largest eastern neighbour. Drawing on a recent book, Marco Siddi writes that disagreements between EU member states over Russia stem not only from different national interests, but have their roots in national identity. However, despite these identity-based divisions, it is possible for EU governments to reach a united position if they avoid essentialising external actors as negative ‘Others’.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Russia: EU prolongs economic sanctions by six months, June 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/russia-eu-prolongs-economic-sanctions-by-six-months-3/

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