The War for Values: The Formation of Anti-Western Discourse in Russia

The post-Soviet space faces a severe crisis, most evidently manifested in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The invasion aligns with the Russian Federation’s consistent discourse, which propagates the incompatibility of “Western values” with “(East) Slavic” ones, particularly Russians’. This aggressive rhetoric has become ingrained in Russian official ideology. As Ukraine seeks closer ties with the West, in official discourse and brutal actions by Russia, aggression has escalated. This discourse serves the Russian regime, justifying violence and hate towards neighboring countries that pursue alternative political and socioeconomic paths. Our study examines the historical formation of Russia’s anti-Western ideology, drawing parallels between contemporary ideas and the reactionary imperialist discourse of the 1830s. An analysis of the Russian government’s ideological program during that period will show that it crystallized an ongoing narrative depicting the West as a threat to Russian statehood. The study will demonstrate how this rhetorical strategy enables Russian authorities to legitimize reactionary measures against “Western” values. Studying this rhetoric provides a historical perspective for understanding the diplomatic crisis in Slavic and Eastern European countries. It is crucial given that Russian propaganda relies on the rhetoric developed over two centuries and invokes political and cultural history to justify Russia’s expansionist ambitions.