European Nationalist Parties Respond to the Ukraine Crisis

The European Union has responded to the Ukraine crisis by applying some sanctions on Russia, but some European nationalist parties look at the efforts of Russians in Crimea and see a struggle for self-determination not so different from their own. These parties are not necessarily pro-Russian, but they view good relations with Moscow as a counterweight to the European Union at a time when the union is politically fragmented and Russia is becoming more assertive.

Some of these parties are also developing ties with one another ahead of European Parliament elections in May. Political and ideological differences will limit their ability to form a cohesive bloc in the EU Parliament, but their rising popularity will force mainstream parties to adopt some of their views and to make some compromises at the EU level.