EUROPEAN UNION POLICY IN THE AREA OF COUNTERING SOFT POWER OF RUSSIA IN THE STATES OF THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP

Abstract

Aim. To analyze how the EU perceives the concepts “hybrid threats” and “soft power” in the context of Russian policy towards the Eastern Partnership states, which are a zone of clashing strategic interests of Russia and the EU.Methodology. The research on the EU’s perception of the so-called hybrid threats and soft power of Russia and the peculiarities of countering them is carried out using analysis of theoretical approach and discourse analysis. Results of the study show that Russia’s soft power relating to the Eastern Partnership states is viewed as a hybrid threat by the EU.Research implications. The article explores and clarifies the terms “soft power” and “hybrid threats” applied to Russia, the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries considering the fact that these notions are used more and more frequently in International Relations and are interpreted ambiguously.