Geostrategic Interests of the Russian Federation in Member States of the Eastern Partnership

Abstract

The twentieth century ended with the disappearance of the empire, the importance of which will be determined only through history. Incredibly, the state formed for over a century, has ceased to exist. The collapse of the Soviet Union, the most immense empire with an area of 22.402 million square kilometers which had direct access to the aquatic areas of three oceans-the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Arctic Ocean, the country which owned land and access routes directly to the European bloc, China and India, with enormous natural resources (Mendeleyev elements table can be found entirely on the Russian territory) produced a geopolitical confusion in the international arena, contributing to the formation of a "black hole" in the center of Eurasia. Nevertheless, Russia remains the country with the largest territorial extent. Also, despite having lost part of its territory, the Russian Federation is still holding geostrategic interests in the ex-Soviet countries. In this article the intention is to keep under review the geostrategic interests of the Russian Federation in the Member States of the Eastern Partnership, former

Experiencing Europeanization in the Black Sea and South Caucasus

“…Nevertheless, the European Union pays special attention to Georgia, as two thirds of the routes connecting the Caucasus to the Black Sea pass through its territory (Cebotari et al 2014). On 11 March 2003, the European Commission published its message called "Wider Europe-Neighbourhood: A New Framework for Relations with our Eastern and Southern Neighbours" which sparked a debate on EU policies regarding its immediate environment (European Commission 2003).…”

“…It is clear that the failure to build sovereignty in the Caucasus is directly related to the failure of governments to provide good governance and to the weakness of their democratic credentials (Cornell, Starr 2006). At the same time the Caucasus remains increasingly important for the global economic and energy security and specifically crucial for Europe (Cebotari et al 2014).…”

“…Georgia is a specific case, while having access to the Black Sea and holding strategic importance for Russia and the EU because its territory covers one of the two routes running through the North Caucasus to the Black Sea (Cebotari et al 2014).…”