Mistakes were made: The EU’s relations with Russia and Turkey in the 1990s
The talk explores what mistakes were made with regard to the semi-periphery by focusing on two pivotal countries that were mostly left out of the liberal international order (LIO) in the 1990s even though they sought to belong: Russia and Turkey. The LIO never settled on a consistent policy regarding their incorporation. Halfway recognition—or alternating between inclusion and exclusion—is even worse than aloofness or full alienation because it first creates expectations and then creates resentment when those expectations are not met. This lesson has present day implications for Ukraine as well.
Date: 3 March 2026, 17:00
Venue: St Antony's College - North Site
Venue Details: Seminar Room, European Studies Centre, 70 Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6HR
Speakers: Ayşe Zarakol (Emmanual College, Cambridge), Roy Allison (St Antony’s)
Organising department: European Studies Centre
Organiser: Julie Adams (St Antony's College, University of Oxford)
Organiser contact email address: julie.adams@sant.ox.ac.uk
Host: Dr Dimitar Bechev (University of Oxford)
Part of: European Studies Seminar
Booking required?: Not required
Audience: Public
Editor: Julie Adams