The Left in Central and Eastern Europe: Responses and Divisions on the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Abstract

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 marked a turning point for European political balances and posed a critical challenge for left-wing parties in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). In a context shaped by post-Communist legacies, divergent transition paths, and new geopolitical tensions, the left forces in the region have had to redefine their position in relation to the war, Russia, and the Euro-Atlantic order. This panel aims to comparatively analyse the left's responses to the Russian aggression against Ukraine in CEE, focusing not only on the official positions adopted but also on the discursive strategies through which these positions are constructed and legitimised. In several cases, socialist and communist successor parties have fluctuated between neutrality and overtly pro-Russian stances, attributing primary responsibility for the escalation to NATO and framing Russia’s intervention as a defensive response. In contrast, other actors have adopted a clearly pro-European and supportive stance towards Ukraine, distancing themselves from anti-Western or justifying narratives. The panel seeks to explore the roots of these divergences, highlighting how factors such as Communist nostalgia, national historical trajectories (path dependency), traumas linked to Euro-Atlantic integration processes, electoral pressures and external influences contribute to the formation of political narratives. Special attention will be given to Russia’s role as both a direct and indirect actor in the regional public debate, including any mechanisms of political, symbolic, or material support for specific political forces.

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