European elections: Is concern about Russia boosting EU popularity?

Uncertainty over Ukraine’s future, and the ensuing geopolitical battle between the West and Russia may have bolstered the notion that being part of a 28-member bloc, in the context of a potential security crisis, is not such a bad thing after all, says Ian Bond, director of foreign policy at the Centre for European Reform in London.

“The very fact that Ukrainians were prepared to turn out and get killed for the chance to be part of the European process rather than a Eurasian one made some people think perhaps there is something in this European stuff,” Mr. Bond adds.

“Putin has a narrative about European expansionism that rather appeals to [far-right] ideas that Europe is trying to take everyone over.”