NORMS, IDENTITY, AND CRISIS EXPLORING THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK'S SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE DURING THE RUSSO-UKRAINIAN WAR
Translated title
NORMS, IDENTITY, AND CRISIS: EXPLORING THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK'S SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE DURING THE RUSSO-UKRAINIAN WAR
Author
Tirmarche, Jérémy Louis Yves Stéphane
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2023
Submitted on
2023-10-15
Pages
69
Abstract
This thesis examines why the European Investment Bank (EIB) maintained its operations in Ukraine during the Russo‑Ukrainian war despite substantial investment risks. Using a single case study of the Ukraine Public Buildings Energy Efficiency project (UPBEE) and a theoretical framework combining Neoliberalism and Constructivism, it compares the EIB’s pre‑ and post‑invasion approach across project design, public discourse, and coordination with EU and partner institutions. Before the war, EIB’s engagement reflected a neoliberal logic of economic incentives and norm diffusion, with UPBEE supporting closer commercial ties and the adoption of EU standards. Contrary to typical international financial institution behavior in conflict zones, the EIB continued long‑term development projects after the invasion, stretching the scope of concessional financing even though these projects were not tailored to immediate humanitarian needs. The analysis indicates that, under crisis pressure, EIB’s support became ideationally anchored in shared identity, values, and norms between the EU and Ukraine, aligning with wider EU policy shifts and setting new precedents for development aid in active conflicts. While long‑term outcomes remain uncertain, the case suggests that development institutions can play a strategic role during wartime by fostering norm diffusion and deepening donor–recipient ties, even when economic risk management would normally argue for retrenchment.
Dette speciale undersøger, hvorfor Den Europæiske Investeringsbank (EIB) valgte at opretholde sine aktiviteter i Ukraine under den russisk-ukrainske krig på trods af betydelige risici for investeringerne. Med et casestudie af Ukraine Public Buildings Energy Efficiency-projektet (UPBEE) og en teoretisk ramme baseret på neoliberalisme og konstruktivisme sammenlignes EIB’s tilgang før og efter invasionen, herunder projektudformning, offentlige udtalelser og koordination med EU og andre udviklingsaktører. Før krigen var EIB’s engagement i høj grad forankret i økonomiske incitamenter og normspredning, hvor UPBEE skulle styrke kommercielle relationer og tilnærmelse til EU-standarder. I modsætning til den almindelige praksis for internationale finansielle institutioner i konfliktzoner fortsatte EIB imidlertid udviklingsprojekter efter invasionen og udnyttede den fulde bredde af sit mandat, selv om projekterne ikke var designet til akutte krisesituationer. Analysen peger på, at EIB’s støtte i krisetiden blev ideationelt forankret i fælles identitet, værdier og normer mellem EU og Ukraine, hvilket bidrog til usædvanlig høj støtte og skabte nye præcedenser for udviklingsbistand i aktive konflikter. Selvom de langsigtede effekter endnu er usikre, viser casen, at udviklingsinstitutioner kan spille en strategisk rolle i konflikter ved at fremme normspredning og styrke bånd mellem donor og modtager, også når økonomiske hensyn tilsiger tilbageholdenhed.
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