Dr Itay Lotem, Senior Lecturer in French Studies at the University of Westminster, has explained in an article for Newsweek how Putin’s regime might benefit from political crises across the European Union.
With Western-led sanctions punishing Russia’s economy after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Dr Itay Lotem shared with Newsweek that Putin is keen to see his adversaries in a state of array. According to Dr Lotem, “the current goal of Putin's Russia is to sow division in Europe and undermine any rules-based European cooperation”.
Dr Lotem explained why European chaos is beneficial for Putin. He said: "Any type of instability in one of the big European states will make it harder to reach a European consensus on common economic policies and particularly defense […] In terms of the immediate effect of the chaos on French policy towards Russia, not having a government will make it a lot harder to articulate any such national policy."
As an expert in French politics, Dr Lotem elaborated on how the consequences of political rupture in France may positively impact Putin, particularly if Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) party continues to gain momentum. Dr Lotem said: “The Russian regime will see any strengthening of the RN as a positive sign, as the party is aligned with Russian policy and has received Russian support in the past.”
Dr Itay Lotem is a cultural historian of memory, race and social movements in Britain, France and Europe. He teaches across various undergraduate History and French Language modules, including French and International Relations BA Honours and Culture, Environment and Social Change BA Honours. He also researches French and Francophone Studies at Westminster’s School of Humanities.
Read the full article on Newsweek.
Find out more about studying Politics and International Relations courses at the University of Westminster.
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