"Soft Balancing" And "Neocontainment" In Geopolitical Competition:A Comparative Study Of European And American Policies Towards Russia(2000-Present)

Since Russian President Vladimir Putin came to power in 2000,the relationship between the West and Russia has undergone significant changes.The geopolitical game between the two sides has become increasingly fierce,which is and will continue to exert an important influence on the international situation and world politics.This dissertation aims to study the consistency and difference in European and American policies towards Russia from the perspective of geopolitical competition.The dissertation points out that the differences in European and American related policies are separately characterized as “soft balancing” and “neocontainment”,and then focuses on analyzing the main variables by which the differences are generated,so as to better understand the essence of the relations between the West and Russia as well as the relations between Europe and the United States,and even the evolution of the current international situation.This dissertation holds that,from the structural perspective,the similarities and differences between European and American policies towards Russia are caused by two structural contradictions.One is the structural contradiction between the West and Russia;the other is the structural contradiction between Europe and the United States.The former is the reason why Europe and the United States choose to jointly suppress Russia,while the latter has become one of the important reasons for Europe and the United States to choose different policies towards Russia.The structural contradiction between Europe and the United States is different from that between them and Russia.Not only do they have more common interests than differences in the world political economy,but also their policies towards Russia have more similarities than differences,so they generally maintain cooperation.Generally speaking,the European and American policies towards Russia are based on the similarity,but there are differences within the similarity.The consistency of European and American policies toward Russia has changed from the 1990 s when they both hoped to bring Russia into the western system to they jointly prevented and suppressed Russia since 2000,and the Western policy toward Russia have changed from moderate to tough.The structural contradiction between the West and Russia is the source why Europe and America choose to jointly suppress and confront Russia.From the perspective of traditional geopolitical cognition,both Europe and the United States regard Russia as a potential threat,which is mainly manifested in the joint promotion of the eastward expansion of NATO and the European Union,the expansion of western influence and the squeeze of Russia's strategic space.European and American policies towards Russia are based on a comprehensive consideration of “objectives + consequences”.In terms of objectives,both the EU and the U.S.hope to eliminate the Russian threat and restrain Russia's behavior,but in terms of the consequences they can bear,the EU cannot bear the possible consequences of provoking Russia,and the U.S.can bear the consequences of cracking down on Russia.This dissertation puts forward that since 2000,on the whole,the United States has adopted the policy of “neocontainment” against Russia,which is manifested as the implementation of the strategic repression on Russia in the political,military,economic and diplomatic aspects.By contrast,the EU's policy towards Russia is obviously not as tough as that of the United States.It is a kind of “soft balancing” policy,that is,it does not mean to push Russia into a corner,but to leave more leeway to avoid fierce confrontation with Russia.A calm and stable Russia is more in the interest of the EU.The dissertation holds that four variables-the differences in threat perceptions,economic dependence,strategic culture as well as decision-making and implementation capabilities-determine the different policies adopted by Europe and the United States towards Russia.First,in terms of perceived security threats,the EU's military deficiencies,coupled with its geographical proximity to Russia,has made the EU develop a strong sense of insecurity.On the one hand,the EU countries are Russia's neighbours and are more likely to provoke Russia into a backlash;on the other hand,the European countries doubt about the effectiveness of the Atlantic alliance.The EU is worried about being abandoned and/or being implicated by the United States,and is wondering if the U.S.will help when Europe is attacked by Russia.By contrast,the United States,with its military might and geographical distance from Russia,can afford to confront Russia with hard power.America's insecurity stems not from the fear that Russia threatens America's homeland,but from the fact that Russia can threaten the overseas interests of the United States and the security of American allies,while challenging American hegemony.Second,the degree of economic interdependence between Europe-Russia and U.S.-Russia is different.The EU relies more on Russia's energy and market,while the U.S.and Russia have relatively independent economies with low interdependence.Third,differences exist in European and American strategic cultures.As a result of the historical trauma,the European Union has gradually developed a prudent strategic culture,preferring to deal with Russia in a multilateral and international-law way,while the United States prefers to use unilateral and military means to solve problems.Forth,there are differences in decision-making and implementation capabilities.The EU is a union of states,which makes it relatively weak in decision-making and execution capabilities.Faced with Russia,it is often difficult for the EU to reach an agreement and policy coordination within the EU is unachievable,while the decision-making power of the U.S.is largely concentrated in the hands of the President of the United States.Since President Trump took office,the United States identifies Russia as one of its major threats and stepped up efforts to contain it.Meanwhile,Trump's imposition of tariffs on the EU goods,negative attitude towards European integration,and tough requirements of European allies to shoulder more alliance obligations highlight the structural contradictions in Europe-U.S.relations,namely the contradiction between America's maintaining hegemonic hierarchy(America dominating Europe)and Europe's pursuit of a more balanced transatlantic relationship.Under the pressure from Mr.Trump,the EU had to put “strategic autonomy” on the agenda and reduce its dependence on the United States.At the same time,despite the opposition of the United States,the EU choose to strengthen co-operation with Russia on energy projects.The differences between Europe and the U.S.in regard to policies toward Russia have developed.However,Europe's lack of strength and cohesion and America's global strategy still needs the support of European allies,determine that the relationship between Europe and the United States will not break down.