Power relations in the deployment of linguistic resources by world leaders during the Russian-Ukrainian war

Abstract

On the 24th of February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in a war that has drawn widespread condemnations, criticisms, and reactions from world leaders. While an infinitesimal figure has spoken in support of the invasion, most world leaders have outrightly condemned the action of the Russian government led by Vladimir Putin who in the process of justifying his actions, claims that the reason for the invasion was to “de-nazify” the Ukrainian government policies. Ironically, Putin himself is a product of Nazism, a system of government that he strongly supported in his prime. Moreso, in the days of the USSR, the Russian government had been accused of the same offense the Russian government is accusing Ukraine of. Therefore, this is a clear case of linguistic labeling embellished in the exercise of power as a justification for the activity carried out by a more superior force. The theoretical framework of CDA was adopted in this study because it focuses squarely on the projection of ideology and the intersection of power play in any form of discourse. It also brings out indices of hidden meanings in texts and tries to proffer solutions to societal problems from the perspective of language use. The study reveals cases of polarization, ideological projection, the deployment of linguistic resources in form of labeling to justify the actions of Putin over the Ukrainians. There is also the deliberate attempt to “annex” or “conquer” the less powerful using application of force through the policy of “imposition”.