COORDINATE SYSTEM OF RUSSIAN-ITALIAN RELATIONS IN THE POLITICAL SPHERE

Abstract

The article analyzes the driving forces behind Russian-Italian relations, which have traditionally been a model of pragmatic cooperation and mutually respectful dialogue. The purpose of the work is to identify indicators in order to explain and predict the successes and failures of interaction at critical moments of crises in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The author proposes a system of 4 coordinate axes: 1) political continuity – personality factor; 2) similarities – divergences of priorities and foreign policy instruments; 3) presence – absence of common institutions; 4) strong – weak pressure of the international environment. Their influence on Russian-Italian relations is reviewed on the example of four cases: the Kosovo crisis (1999), the Transcaucasus crisis (2008) and two Ukrainian crises (2014 and 2022). Regarding the current situation, the article states that personality factor acquired a positive value after the elections in Italy in September 2022, but all the others have negative values (priorities and foreign policy instruments are different; common institutions are virtually non-existent; international pressure is very strong) and will remain so at least until the end of the hot phase of the conflict. This paper offers a theoretical basis for the analysis of Russian-Italian relations. It may prove useful for a deeper understanding of international developments, given the high degree of uncertainty and the de facto breakdown of the pre-existing system of relations between Russia and the European countries. The work also provides a basis for similar research on other European countries in order to conduct a comparative analysis for a more comprehensive understanding of the principles of Russian-European relations.