Bilateral Relations of Russia with Eastern Mediterranean Countries in Terms of Soft Balancing Concept

Abstract

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia started to reverse the difficult experience it had in the international arena and domestically from the 2000s, and as a new foreign policy target, it sought to expand its sphere of influence, especially in certain regions. Within the framework of the multipolar world discourse, Russia has focused on the Eastern Mediterranean, whose strategic importance has increased with the discovery of new energy resources in recent years, to gain power in the international arena. Russia seized the opportunity to develop bilateral relations with the countries of the region effectively in the region in 2011 with Russia's intervention in the Syrian civil war. In conclusion, the aim of the study is to seek answers about the development of Russia's bilateral relations with the Eastern Mediterranean countries and the extent of the soft balancing policies used by Russia with the regional countries that aim to establish its own sphere of influence in the region.