The geopolitical term Lebensraum seems in vogue in Russia. Lebensraum as a term of human geography was coined in 1901 by the German geographer, Friedrich Ratzel to explain the concept of living space. Russia is determined to invoke it in the template of global politics recently.
Ratzel argued that states too need ever-growing space, like an organism during its evolution process. Karl Haushofer, a German army general and geopolitician, deployed it in geopolitics and military science to justify the fascist regime of Hitler to expand the territory and push the boundaries of Germany to capture more living space (territory) and resources (oil/gas/minerals) from its neighboring countries for its people. Russia is now rekindling the same idea.
Russia is a territorial power, having the largest area in the world with 17.13 million sq km. Even after capturing the Crimean peninsula, it is craving for more territory as its “living space” seems not satisfying enough, now it is eyeing Ukraine. Let us understand geopolitically why this territorial giant wants to or at least seems to merge Ukraine, after the Crimean peninsula, in its ambit.
Firstly, as it is said good fences make good neighbors, the erosion of Ukraine as a buffer zone between European members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Russia has alarmed the Kremlin. Russia is keenly observing as Ukraine gradually slides towards the European Union (EU) to become the next NATO member. Russia can’t afford NATO knocking on its door. It wants to capture Ukraine well before it slips from reaching hands to European members or at least installs a puppet regime in Ukraine.
Secondly, the play of dominance is driving Russia to take over Ukraine and challenge the existing world order dominated by the EU members and the United States. Putin simply wants to realign the world map to get Russia the centrality in the world order and revive the long dead Soviet Union as many Western leaders have been claiming. Putin seems has recollected the prophecy given by British geographer, Mackinder, “Who rules East Europe commands the Heartland; who rules the Heartland commands the World-Island; who rules the World-Island commands the world.”
Thirdly, with Ukraine comes the greater access to Baltic Sea. It would provide Russia to project its power in all its littoral states as Black Sea is a vital geostrategic interconnection for the entire region. It is also an important passage for goods and energy. Russia could revive its historical relations with all the littoral states due to proximity to Russian mainland.
Challenges Ahead
The foremost challenge lies ahead is the serious warfare between Russia and the United States-led European members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Interestingly, the Western leaders have denied deploying any troop to protect Ukraine as it is lacking the membership of NATO nor it seems to get it anytime soon. Attacking Ukraine, with NATO shield, would mean dragging of entire NATO members against Russia in warfare and neither side can afford the crisis. On the other hand, Russia is determined to take this risk and go ahead to capture Ukraine anytime soon as its troops have already deployed on the three sides.
The weapon of isolating Russia through UNSC, just like Iran, could be the next step to deter Russia to take any kind of territorial measures against Ukraine. This step could seriously impact Russia as it would become handicapped to engage in any sort of financial transactions with any ally of the United States and the EU. The Western sanction on Russia’s international banking exchange, freezing of foreign accounts and barring Russia from foreign banking transactions would undoubtedly impact the economy of Russia. The silver lining with Russia is the rapprochement with Iran and China who could come forward to support it.
A new card in the hands of the West to stop Russia from invading Ukraine is the Nord Stream 2 pipeline which is all set to double natural gas supply Russia to Germany. Interestingly, it is Europe and not Russia who is going to lose if this project is halted as 40% of gas demands of Europe is met by Russia. With the warning of Germany to not go ahead with the Nord stream supplies, the fuel prices across Europe soared. It is now Germany and other members of Europe to see how feasible it is to halt the operation of gas pipeline.
To avert this looming crisis, the EU led by major European countries along with the United States have to come forward and sit across the table with Russia and try to resolve the issue with all the available diplomatic avenues. Lack of confidence building and doubting each other’s intentions is creating the tension in the region. In the power tussle of the United States-led NATO members and Russia, it is the Ukraine which is going to lose heavily.
T. Velmurugan is a Ph.D. candidate at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. He holds an M.Phil in Political Geography and Master’s degree in Geography from the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.
