TITLE:
Russia’s Strategic Shift from European Integration to Eastern Alliances after the War in Ukraine: A Postcolonial Perspective
AUTHORS:
Konstantin Moskalenko, Xunda Yu, Mohammad Anisur Rahaman
KEYWORDS:
Russia, Eastern Alliances, Postcolonial, Ukraine War, European Integration, Sovereignty
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.12 No.12,
December
23,
2024
ABSTRACT: The geopolitical landscape of the 21st century has witnessed significant shifts, none more pronounced than Russia’s strategic realignment from a focus on European integration to forging alliances with key Eastern powers. Russia’s strategic shift from European integration to Eastern alliances following the Ukraine war, is analysed through a postcolonial perspective. The study aims to assess the historical context of Russia’s relationship with Europe, analyse its realignment towards the East, explore the postcolonial implications of rejecting Western-dominated systems, and evaluate emerging alliances with key Eastern powers. The nature of the study was qualitative, utilizing a thematic analysis, content analysis, examining official statements, and relevant scholarly articles from 2002-2023. The findings reveal that the Ukraine crisis acted as a critical turning point, deepening Russia’s disillusionment with the West. Western sanctions, imposed after the annexation of Crimea, accelerated Russia’s pivot towards the East, fostering stronger economic and political ties with China, India, and other non-Western states. This shift is framed within Russia’s broader postcolonial resistance to Western hegemony, where sovereignty and self-determination emerge as central themes. The study further highlights Russia’s efforts to challenge Western-dominated institutions by promoting a multipolar world order and Russia’s realignment is not only a pragmatic response to isolation but also an ideological assertion of autonomy in the face of perceived Western neo-colonialism. The paper concludes that Russia’s evolving alliances with Eastern powers reflect a postcolonial agenda to resist Western dominance and reimagine its global role, underscoring the country’s long-term strategy to redefine the international order.