The concept of ontological security as an explanatory mechanism for the causes of Russian aggression against Ukraine

Koncepcja bezpieczeństwa ontologicznego jako mechanizm wyjaśniający przyczyny rosyjskiej agresji wobec Ukrainy

Michał Słowikowski

ORCID: Michał Słowikowski: 0000-0001-5202-5080

Afiliacja: Uniwersytet Łódzki

Pages: 111-127

Edition: Lublin 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36874/RIESW.2024.2.6

Citation method: M. Słowikowski, The concept of ontological security as an explanatory mechanism for the causes of Russian aggression against Ukraine, „Rocznik Instytutu Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej” 22 (2024), z. 2, s. 111-127, DOI: https://doi.org/10.36874/RIESW.2024.2.6

Keywords:, ,

Keywords: , , ,

Abstract: The aim of this article is to recognise the extent to which research into Russian aggression against Ukraine has progressed using one school of international relations (IR) – ontological security. This approach is intended to refine the inference process in relation to the classical SM schools. The article draws on the first scholarly articles addressing the issue and critically evaluates them. Conclusions resulting from their critical reading allow pointing out the presence of a significant cognitive gap in relation to the analysed problem, prescribing to undertake empirical research on Russian autobiographical narratives of wartime using specialised interpretative tools.

Bibliography:

1. Aleksandr Baunow – o rossijskoj dipłomatii i itogach putinizma, Polit.ru, 19 December 2023, https://polit.ru/articles/konspekty/aleksandr-baunov-o-rossiyskoy-diplomatii-i-itogakh-putinizma/ [8.04.2024].
2. Bogomolov A., Lytvynenko O., A Ghost in the Mirror: Russian Soft Power in Ukraine, Chatham House, January 2012, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263853878_A_Ghost_in_the_Mirror_Russian_Soft_Power_in_Ukraine_The_Aims_and_Means_of_Russian_Influence_Abroad_Series_A_Ghost_in_the_Mirror_Russian_Soft_Power_in_Ukraine [8.04.2024].
3. Chrzanowski B., An Episode of Existential Uncertainty: The Ontological Security Origins of the War in Donbas, “Texas National Security Review” 2021, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 11–32.
4. Dawson G., Smith N.R., Why Putin’s invasion of Ukraine had to happen, ECPR – The Loop, https://theloop.ecpr.eu/why-putins-invasion-of-ukraine-had-to-happen/ [8.04.2024].
5. Götz E., Putin, the State, and War: The Causes of Russia’s Near Abroad Assertion Revisited, “International Studies Review” 2017, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 228–253.
6. Hansen F.S., Russia’s Relations with the West: Ontological Security through Conflict, “Contemporary Politics” 2016, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 359–375.
7. Kazharski A., Civilizations as Ontological Security?: Stories of the Russian Trauma, “Problems of Post-Communism” 2020, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 24–36.
8. Krickovic A., Sakwa R., War in Ukraine: The Clash of Norms and Ontologies, “Journal of Military and Strategic Studies” 2022, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 89–109.
9. Mearsheimer J.J., The Causes and Consequences of the Ukraine War, CIRSD, 16 June 2022, https://www.cirsd.org/en/horizons/horizons-summer-2022-issue-no.21/the-causes-and-consequences-of-the-ukraine-war [8.04.2024].
10. Mearsheimer J.J., The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, London–New York 2001.
11. Mitzen J., Larson K., Ontological Security and Foreign Policy, Oxford Research Encyclopaedia of Politics, August 2017, https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.013.458 [8.04.2024].
12. Mitzen J., Ontological Security in World Politics: State Identity and the Security Dilemma, “European Journal of International Relations” 2006, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 341–370.
13. Narozhna T., Revisiting the Causes of Russian Foreign Policy Changes: Incoherent Biographical Narrative, Recognition and Russia’s Ontological Security-Seeking, “Central European Journal of International & Security Studies” 2021, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 56–81.
14. Our experts decode the Putin speech that launched Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Atlantic Council, 22 February 2022, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/markup/putin-speech-ukraine-war/ [8.04.2024].
15. Putin V., On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians, Kremlin.ru, 12 July 2021, http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/66181 [8.04.2024].
16. Russia’s proposal to redraw European security “unacceptable,” U.S. says, Radio Free Europe. Radio Liberty, 17 December 2021, https://www.rferl.org/a/nato-russia-security-guarantees/31614168.html [8.04.2024].
17. Ryan K., Russia’s search for ontological security and the Ukraine Invasion, “Australian and New Zealand Journal of European Studies” 2023, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 82–93.
18. Sakwa R., Russian Politics and Society. Fifth Edition, Routledge 2021.
19. Smith N.R., Assessing the Trajectory of West-Russia Relations in Eastern Europe: Gauging Three Potential Scenarios, “Global Policy” 2017, https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/84684/1/MPRA_paper_84684.pdf [8.04.2024].
20. Smith N.R., Dawson G., Mearsheimer, Realism, and the Ukraine War, “Analyse & Kritik” 2022, vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 175–200.
21. Speech and the Following Discussion at the Munich Conference on Security Policy, Kremlin.ru, 10 February 2007, http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/transcripts/24034 [8.04.2024].
22. Stepanenko K., Kagan F.W., Bugayova N., Weakness is Lethal: Why Putin Invaded Ukraine and How the War Must End, Institute for the Study of War 1 October 2023, https://understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Weakness%20is%20Lethal%20Why%20Putin%20Invaded%20Ukraine%20and%20How%20the%20War%20Must%20End%20PDF.pdf [8.04.2024].
23. Timofiejev I., Wojna Rossii i Ukrainy: bazowyj scenarij?, Valdai, 25 November 2021, https://ru.valdaiclub.com/a/highlights/voyna-rossii-i-ukrainy-bazovyy-stsenariy/[8.04.2024].
24. von Essen H., Danielson A., A Typology of Ontological Insecurity Mechanisms: Russia’s Military Engagement in Syria, “International Studies Review” 2023, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 1–25.

Keywords:, ,