“RUSSIAN THREAT” TO THE POST-SOVIET SPACE: MYTH OR REALITY?

Abstract

The issue of "Russian threat" to the post-soviet space has been analyzed in the article. Due to significant geopolitical success of Russia in the post-soviet space and in particular in Central Asia there were frequent charges against her related to the alleged aggressive intentions. In western expert associations a myth about "the Russian threat" that appeared in the sixteenth century and therefore rightly can be considered archaic is actively promoting. For example, the objective analysis of the causes of the war in South Ossetia and transformational events in Ukraine contradict the claims about Russia's aggression in these areas. The war in South Ossetia of 2008 has presented completely where the Georgian aggression is clearly seen. A gradual war preparation, having been carried out by the Georgian political leadership since 2004 with the help of external support, proves it. Moreover, there is substantial growth of activity of NATO near the Russian borders, giving Russia the right to protect site stability and security which is directly related to its national security. The author comes to the conclusion that in such matters as the war in South Ossetia, the joining of Crimea to Russia, Russia's actions deliberately exaggerated by geopolitical opponents and distorted information is used in order to undermine the image of Russia and its friendly relations with post-soviet states. Inflating the Russian threat to the Central Asian states, for example Kazakhstan is baseless, as Russian-Central Asian relations are tested for durability time and are strategic in nature.