Political scientist explains why European leaders scare their voters with Russia

Archive photo/RIA Novosti

MINSK, 5 April (BelTA) – European leaders see frightening their voters with Russia as an endless engine of their political success, editor-in-chief of PolitRussia, political scientist Ruslan Ostashko said in a recent episode of BelTA’s V Teme [On Point] project.

“There are no disagreements between Europe and the United States. Europe has disagreements with Trump. With Biden, they had no disagreements whatsoever. And with the Democratic Party, they have no disagreements either. Yes, they understand that even under the Democrats and under Biden, they will still pay more, and did pay more than before, but even so, that is still preferable to them. They have found the perpetual motion machine of their political success, which is frightening their voters with Russia,” said Ruslan Ostashko.

As the political scientist noted, by using fear of Russia, almost anything can be excused: “Migrants, the economic crisis, the lack of jobs, the overall decline in living standards. And this is a question of their political survival. Until they see an alternative, and that alternative is that friendship with Russia equals their political survival, they will not change this course.”

“We simply don’t know how to present Western voters and their politicians with an alternative, which is befriending Russia. And we don’t engage in that game because we are both unable and unwilling. We have no interest in securing political survival for Macron, Merz, or that whole crowd. Whether this is a good or bad thing is a matter of opinion, but it is inherent to our political system. We play politics honestly, if I may put it that way,” said Ruslan Ostashko. “If we don’t like someone, we say: we don’t like you. Although we are, in principle, a rather friendly country, we are open to dialogue with everyone, and we repeatedly state that we are ready both for the return of Western companies to Russian markets and for the restoration of full diplomatic ties with any country.”

The political scientist emphasized that Russia has demonstrated its readiness to engage in dialogue, including in the context of its current relations with the United States. “But the problem with Europeans is that they regard themselves as superior to us. They refuse to engage with people they view as commoners. And sadly, until they treat us as equals, no meaningful dialogue is possible,” concluded Ruslan Ostashko.