Eurasia’s de Facto States after Russia’s Attack on Ukraine: Client Reactions to Patron Decline

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ABSTRACT Patron–client relationship depends on the evolving international situation. Russia’s war in Ukraine has weakened Russia’s ability to support client economically, in addition, Russia’s reputation as has patron suffered. In this situation, the Eurasian de facto states that have Russia as their patron, have reacted differently: Abkhazia and South Ossetia have made moves to huddle more closely together with their patron. Transnistria has signaled willingness to distance themselves from Russia, by allowing grain to be exported from Ukraine over their territory to Romania. The article examines the causes behind the changed vectors of de facto state orientation vis-à-vis the patron.