Imperialistisk plan eller post-imperialistisk refleks? Russlands Transnistria-politikk revurdert

Abstract

Imperialist plan or post-imperialist reflex? Reassessing Russia's Transnistria policy Russia's policy in the Transnistrian conflict is often portrayed as an example of Mos- cow's imperialist agenda; as proactive and manipulative; and as secondary to Russia's global, great power ambitions. This article re-assesses Russia's Transnistria policy from the fall of the Soviet Union until the end of 2010. It finds that Russian policy is better understood as post-imperialist than imperialist; that it has been largely reactive, responding to developments beyond Moscow's control; and that the regional security situation, rather than global great power ambitions, has been the most immediate cause for change in policy. In light of these re-assessments, in conclusion the article briefly considers the place of Russia's Transnistria policy in Moscow's policy towards the post-Soviet space in general, as well as the importance of these findings for a possi- ble solution to the Transnistrian conflict.