Russia-Europe relations face deep identity and security challenges

Analysts are examining the escalating hostility between Russia and Western Europe, noting a significant shift in geopolitical dynamics. Peter Rough suggests that Russia’s gray-zone or hybrid warfare tactics succeed because the West tends to absorb them, arguing that the West must respond in kind to effectively deter Moscow.

Sergey Karaganov, honorary chairman of Russia’s Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, argues that Russia may need to rethink its European identity and strengthen its Eurasian roots in response to Western hostility. He notes that while some within Russia still harbor Europhilia, the current level of Russophobia among European elites is deep-seated and difficult to remedy without significant political shifts.