Security cooperation in the triangle «Poland — Ukraine — Romania»: realities and prospects

Abstract

The strategy of Russia to establish new global and regional order bases on some contradictory statements. In one case Moscow refers to the right of self-determination, but in another it infringes the basic international legal principles stated by the UN Charter. Or Russia proclaims that it respects the state’s sovereignty and at the same time it annexes a part of this state’s territory and supports the separatist movements there. Describing some V. Putin and his administration acts the author reasons that Kremlin uses international law to underwrite the normative world order, to return geopolitics that may help to stabilize its dominance. Kremlin exercises all these elements in creating and deepening crisis over Ukraine. One of the outcomes of Russia’s policy towards Ukraine is increasing the feeling of instability and threats in CEE area that has sharpened the security dilemma there. Both the common borders with Ukraine and knowing that Western actors seek to set the dialogue with Russia to avoid conflict escalation are additional facts that threaten the security of Warsaw and Bucharest. Given that NATO is a dominant security and defense platform, the idea of new forms of subregional cooperation that includes Ukraine are becoming popular. Pointed out the achievements of security cooperation within the framework of the triangle «Poland — Ukraine — Romania», the author analyses the prospects of subregional security interaction through the following factors: regional identity and strategic culture of Poland and Romania as well their foreign and security policy priorities and external factors’ influence.