Russia’s neo-imperial dependence model: Experiences of former Soviet republics
Russia’s neo-imperial dependence model: Experiences of former Soviet republics

Summary/Abstract: The Russian aggression against Georgia in 2008, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, constant pressure on Belarus and political ambitions in Moldova have brought Russia’s geopolitical ambitions in the former Soviet republics to the spotlight and pushed them into facing a difficult dilemma between a growing partnership with the EU or further cooperation with Russia and the Eurasian Union. The article assesses potential threats for four post-Soviet republics (Armenia, Belarus, Georgia and Ukraine) which may result from Russia’s imperialistic ambitions. The study is based on the common features of two recent conflicts in Georgia and Ukraine and relevant economic and ethnic data. Based on the assumption that a common neo-imperial pattern exists in Russia’s initiatives outside its nearest borders, the current research focuses on the key elements of Russia’s neo-imperial dependence model, the current stage of the dependence-cycle and the pre-conditions for the target state to escape the dependence.

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