Conflict Dynamics as a Narrative Process: The Evolution of Competing Conflict Narratives between Russia and Ukraine and the Narratives of the International Human Rights Bodies between 2014 and 2022

Drawing on the studies narrative processes underlying conflict escalation, this article examines constitution and evolution of conflicting narratives between Russia Ukraine as expressed in their foreign policy discourse key political pronouncements 2014 2022. Furthermore, it compares Russia’s Ukraine’s official with those developed by international human rights community using example UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission (HRMMU) created Office High Commissioner for (OHCHR) March 2014. This comparative analysis aims to understand differences discursive elements constituting parties an body aiming achieve accountability violations a basis reconciliation, which could serve entries peacebuilding. Finally, theoretical framework escalation process proposed Cobb (2013) is used dynamics from The mapping undertaken show issue contention during studied period was interpretation legitimacy use force. consequence attribution violence became evolving legitimisation force fuelling protraction.