Transboundary Crisis and European Unity

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2024-08-19
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en
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Impactful events such as Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic increased the call for more strategic autonomy in the European Union (EU). Not every member state was interested in contributing to international cooperation because of their own interests. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and posed a security threat to Europe, the question arose whether this crisis would change the sentiment and would lead to an increase in international cooperation within the Union. The literature is divided on the topic and does not provide a clear answer. By conducting a discourse analysis on the annual implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy of 2021 and 2022, I analyse whether Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has changed the discourse on cooperation. I found convincing evidence that the discourse on cooperation became more positive. A change in discourse does not inevitably mean a change in behaviour. However, the annual implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy reports on accomplished, ongoing and upcoming activities which overcomes this problem. Therefore, in this research, we assume that a positive change in discourse on cooperation after Russia’s invasion leads to an increase in international cooperation after Russia’s invasion. More research is needed to give insights into member states' individual stances and develop the existing literature further. Nevertheless, this thesis demonstrates that a transboundary crisis leads to increased international cooperation.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen