Words as Weapons: The EU's Crisis Communication Strategies in Response to Russia's War against Ukraine

Communicating a normative stance in the midst of a complex and sensitive crisis such as the Russian-Ukrainian conflict poses several challenges for the European Union, such as balancing various perspectives while maintaining a coherent and normative message or countering false narratives. Since, information warfare plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion, influencing perceptions, and exacerbating conflicts, understanding how a regional actor such as the EU addresses these aspects provides insights into the evolving dynamics of modern conflicts. The research focuses on understanding how the EU strategically utilizes words as potent tools to shape narratives, influence perceptions, and assert its normative stance in this protracted conflict. Beyond crisis communication strategies, the research widens its scope to examine how the EU frames the crisis and how its foundational principles (democracy, human rights, and the rule of law) serve as guiding anchors in its communicative endeavours.