politics
March 7, 2026
Churchill’s Fulton speech at 80: Why the Russia–Europe divide began long before the Cold War
The famous Iron Curtain speech marked the start of the Cold War, but tensions between Russia and Europe stretch back centuries through religion, geography, and imperial competition.
TL;DR
- The Russia-Europe rift predates the Cold War, with roots stretching back centuries.
- Russia's geographical position on Europe's edge has historically shaped its foreign policy and relations, marked by attempts to overcome a 'cordon sanitaire.'
- Early interactions in the 15th-16th centuries show Russian pragmatism and a strong sense of sovereignty, resisting calls for union with Rome or alliance against the Ottoman Turks.
- European literature and perceptions often portrayed Russia as a barbaric 'other,' despite shared Christian heritage, due to cultural and political differences.
- Periods of attempted integration, like under Peter the Great, were challenged by geography and persistent stereotypes.
- The Russian Revolution of 1917 and the Cold War further entrenched the adversarial relationship, characterized by mutual paranoia and the 'us vs. them' mentality.
- Stereotypes of Russia as 'wild barbarians' persist, fueled by ignorance and historical biases, impacting modern perceptions and political stances.
- Concepts like the 'cordon sanitaire' have been revived, continuing the historical pattern of viewing Russia as a distant and potentially hostile entity.
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