Wschodnie granice Europy. Casus Rosji
Journal Title: Przegląd Wschodni - Year 2015, Vol 13, Issue 52
Abstract
Many commentators on the future of Europe leave one question undefined – the future eastern borders of the territory. The following article is dedicated to shedding light on this controversial point, as practically no one is currently speaking about the eastern borders of Europe. In the Middle Ages, Europe became visibly homogenous; the Eastern Roman Empire detached itself, while Africa came under the rule of Islam. Europe owes its uniformity to the Roman Catholic Church, which managed to absorb the whole Germanic world, but only a part of the Slavic world. At the end of the 17th century, the eastern border of Europe looked as follows: the North was reigned by the Swedes and Prussia, which ruled over Finland and the Gulf of Finland. Further to the South stretched the Polish- Lithuanian Commonwealth, ruling these vast territories to varying degrees; the territories often changed hands in accordance with wars, invasions and treaties. The eastern border of Europe – without doubt – would have corresponded with the borders of three great powers: Prussia-Sweden, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, if not for two circumstances that complicated the situation: Russian conquests and the contraction of the Ottoman Empire. At the moment, if Russia gains entry into Europe, as she demands, Europe will stretch all the way to Vladivostok, as the Urals are not a genuine border. To Russia, the term “Great Power” signifies that she continues to possess the right to control swathes of European territory, but Russia does not want to participate in building Europe, only to intervene on her territory. Russian diplomacy is working to realize these goals. Russia, thus, does not possess national borders. It was born an empire, and today it stands guard over the borders of the former Soviet Union.
Authors and Affiliations
Alain Besançon
Keywords
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