Features of Solving Regional Conflicts in the Context of Current Challenges: Experience of Ukraine, Syria and Countries of the Korean Peninsula

Abstract

Today the global community more often faces new, unconventional forms of war and conflicts, which have become an integral part of international relations of the present time. In many parts of the world, the intergovernmental rivalry increases on regional and local levels, which predetermines the threat of emerging of a significant amount of violent conflicts, majority of which escalate in the armed opposition. This issue is especially acute for Ukraine, countries of the Korean Peninsula, Syria and others. Historical events certify that in the areas, where geopolitical interests of the large states clash, the peace and safety cannot be guaranteed. Such countries as Ukraine, Syria, North and South Korea suffer because interests of superpowers have clashed. The history of the development of the world system has shown that the reallocation of spheres of influence is inevitable, which is why small and weak states and especially those which are in conflict areas, such as Korea, Ukraine, Syria, should find a way to guarantee sovereignty and territorial integrity. For example, after the Korean War, South Korea has concluded an inter-allied treaty wıth the USA and today only limited contingent of the USA is located in territory of South Korea and negotiations on deployment of anti-missile complexes of the SAAD system are in progress. Moreover, South Korea is known to give today much attention to strengthening defensive capacity of the country. After the end of the war, North Korea has taken a different path and without regard to inter-allied agreements with the USSR and China took a course for expanding missile and nuclear weapons. Today, superpowers do not carry responsibility for weak countries’ security. This is proved by the challenges Ukraine experiences. It is known that Ukraine has voluntarily given up nuclear armament, as stated in the Budapest Memorandum, with the USA, Great Britain and Russia acting as guarantors. Yet, Russia has started aggression against Ukraine, annexed Crimea and continue to carry out military operations in Donbas. However, certain positive trends should also be noted. On April 27, 2018, a historic meeting between leaders of the DPRK and South Korea took place, which resulted into signing of the Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification of the Korean Peninsula. Heads of the two states have agreed to sign by the end of the year a peace treaty that will put an end to the war between the countries. The author expresses hope that the progress in relations between the two countries will continue and they eventually become a united state. Keywords: regional conflicts, hybrid war, conflict areas, denuclearization, Korean Peninsula, Ukraine, Syria.