Securitisation of European values in Russia

Abstract

The securitisation of European values is part of the story that creates the favourable conditions for Russia's assertiveness and aggression on the international stage. This dissertation will seek to find out how the Russian regime convinces citizens that European moral standards threaten their homeland. By conducting the critical analysis of the Russian official discourse, this research will examine how Russia succeeds in completing this task by emphasising its difference from and superiority over Western Europe. Moreover, the references to the attempts of the West to contain the country contribute to the success of this process. The stress on Russia's distinctiveness and supremacy over Europe helps the ruling elite to convince the public that the spread of European moral standards undermines the basis for the stability Russia needs to survive. Similarly, the suggestion that the Western partners use European values for challenging Russia's sovereignty facilitates persuading citizens that they threaten the country.