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Denison University

Publication Date

Spring 2024

Program Name

Switzerland: International Studies and Multilateral Diplomacy

Abstract

In a situation where Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022, the role and the major dilemma of NATO is rediscovered. The blame is that while NATO had expanded its power towards the East European countries, it had provoked Russia to react to the threat of the NATO enlargement process. Within this background, this research’s objective is to examine the impact of the NATO enlargement in Eastern Europe related to the case of the Ukraine war, within the lens of Eastern European citizens’ perception of their security and NATO. The research aims to answer the role of NATO in securing the preservation of the conflicts and threats in Eastern Europe. To answer the questions, the data was gathered mainly through personal interviews with experts in the area, along with a public survey of European countries which added the perspective of the normal citizens. Through the research, it became clear that the enlargement of NATO had provoked Russia’s security, and the attack on Ukraine was the result of the unstable security of Russia and the hegemonic power dynamics between the West and Russia. Despite the dilemma of NATO to protect Eastern European countries and not provoke Russia at the same time, citizens who are under threat and fear show a strong desire to join NATO. How NATO would proactively solve this security dilemma would be a key for the European security of the next few decades, in light of this Ukraine war and Russia’s reactions.

Disciplines

Diplomatic History | Eastern European Studies | European History | International Relations | Peace and Conflict Studies

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