Abstract
The Cold War, characterized by its bipolar ideological rivalry, did not resolve centuries-old hostilities between the West and Russia. In order to regain the lost influence and reincarnation of regional hegemony, President Putin wanted a casus-belli. The international humanitarian intervention in Kosovo and the latter’s declaration of independence were Russia’s weak justifications for resuming the old clashes. Interventions in the territories of the former Soviet Union inhabited by Russian speakers, the annexation of Crimea, and direct involvement in the interethnic disputes in the eastern part of Ukraine and the Syrian wars show that Russia is determined to challenge and test the Western commitment to the spread of democracy. The similarities between Kosovo and Crimea, loudly echoed by Russia and their supporters, cannot be academically binding, except in some aspects of tertiary nature.The brutal prevention of Chechnya’s independence in the 1990s and failure to recognize Kosovo while applauding the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia present Putin’s political inconsistency and Real politic orientation. The Russian annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, and threats to destabilize countries that “do not respect” the rights and interests of Russians wherever they are, exemplify Putin’s policy.The article aims to analyze the volatility of Russian foreign policy by comparing the case of Kosovo’s independence to the annexation of Crimea and Russia’s paternalist intentions abroad.
Highlights
President Vladimir Putin is set on strengthening Russia and reclaiming its role as a world power
Western consensus in the three areas of support would send positive signals to countries aspiring for Euro-Atlantic integration and for the expansion of democratic peace in this region ridden with democracy deficit
Such Western behavior sends a message to the Russian leaders that rules of the game cannot be changed by force
Summary
President Vladimir Putin is set on strengthening Russia and reclaiming its role as a world power. The same policy has created a large number of frozen conflicts as is the case of Transnistria and Crimea and other parts of eastern and south Ukraine, where the Russian population helped by Russia created the independent republics of Donetsk and Luhansk This is a Concept of Belonging, in trend among similar regimes of Belgrade and Moscow toward parts of the former Yugoslavia and Soviet Union. Putin goes beyond the annexation of Crimea, threatening Ukraine that it will be stable only if it “provides the rights and interests of Ukrainian Russians.” And as Nicholas Burns wrote, “Putin’s ambition is clear He wants to dominate all the former Soviet states to Russia’s south and west in order to create a buffer zone that will insulate his authoritarian regime from the infection that might eventually destroy it—independent, free market, democratic governments.” (Burns, 2015). President Putin of Russia, President Obama warned Putin if Russia continues its aggressive actions in Ukraine, including by sending troops, weapons, and financing to support the separatists, the costs for Russia will rise
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
