Попытка смены поколений партийно-советской номенклатуры… как инструмент преодоления кризиса Коммунистической Партии Украины (1985–1991 гг.)

The article aims at an in-depth analysis of the Communist Party of Ukraine crisis at the time of Perestroika (1985-1991). The consequences of the crisis are mass resignations, formation of fractions and platforms, regionalization and decentralization of party structures. Furthermore, the crisis contributes to continuing fall in authority of CPSU in general and of CPU in particular limiting its access to real levers of influence upon the transformational processes; the loss of control over the course of reforms; the growth of spontaneity, chaos and uncontrollability in the development of society. In order to overcome the crisis, the Communist Party makes an attempt at a generational change in the Soviet party nomenclature, which is supposed to significantly rejuvenate the political elite of the USSR and the Ukrainian SSR. However, the authors of the article, having analyzed archival documents, prove that in the Ukrainian SSR, a generational change does not take place, and the young cadres who come to power have no real influence. An attempt to change generations in the country's political elite fails and becomes the cause of internal political conflict.

Great Power Politics in Post-Cold War Period: The Ukraine Crisis of 2014

The Ukraine Crisis of 2014 which led to the annexation of Crimea by Russia has been one of the worst European issues since the end of the Cold War. NATO’s relations with Russia have worsened ever since Russian troops invaded and annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014. This paper examines why Russia intervened and eventually annexed Crimea during the Ukraine crisis through theoretical approaches in IR (international relations). In addition, the paper also discusses the consequences of Russia’s actions in Crimea during the Ukraine Crisis of 2014. This paper argues that Russia intervened and annexed Crimea during the Ukraine Crisis of 2014 because of NATO’s expansion policy in eastern Europe. The study was conducted using a qualitative and a non-positivist approach to research (interpretivist) which is centered on the humanistic view of the social sciences. On the one hand, the findings of this study support my central thesis; it revealed that NATO’s expansion policy in eastern Europe was the cause of Russia’s actions in Crimea during the Ukraine Crisis of 2014. On the other hand, the findings of this study revealed that there are alternative factors that also motivated Russia to intervene and annex Crimea from Ukraine such as nationalism, identity, and Russia’s quest for great power status. Further, Russia’s invasion and eventual annexation of Crimea without the consent of Ukrainian authorities had several consequences. For instance, it caused tension between Russia and NATO, increased military spending, and led to numerous international sanctions.

Relations of the Russian Federation - the European Union in the context of the Russian-Ukraine crisis

One of the problems present not only on the international arena, but also on the working table of politicians, including in the scientific discourse of political scientists, economists and specialists in other fields is the issue of Russian-European relations. The events in Ukraine are making the relations between the Russian Federation and the European Union quite tense. This article aims to highlight the main issues present in the relations between the Russian Federation and the European Union in the post-Maidan 2014 period.

The making of a narrative: The use of geopolitical othering in Russian strategic narratives during the Ukraine crisis

The events of the crisis in Ukraine (2013–2014) have created an unprecedented rift in EU–Russia relations. The focal point is often put on the long-term development of mutual frustrations due to clashing initiatives in the shared neighbourhood and an overall atmosphere of mistrust. This article makes the case that the culmination of mutual frustrations made its way into official communication and led to the embedding of elements of ‘geopolitical othering’ in Russia’s narrative on the events in Ukraine. Throughout the various stages of the conflict, representations of the role played by the EU became a recurring theme in Russia’s narrative on Ukraine’s choice between the EU and accession to the ECU. While the presence of geopolitical othering did seem to provide a stabilizing effect on the narrative, the countries’ embedded nature led to the rapid development of contentious communication, complicating potential narrative convergence between both actors.

UKRAYNA KRİ Zİ SONRASI NATO’NUN AVRUPA GÜVENLİ K YAPISINA ETKİ Sİ

Although the US political and military-led NATO during the Cold War period was accepted as the undisputed keystone of European Defense, the policies of some EU member states on acceptance of NATO’s role in the aftermath of the Cold War have changed. In this process, the efforts to activate the Common Security and Defense Policy which constitutes one of the carrier columns of the European Security Structure have been accelerated. Based on the balance of threat hypotheses, to spill over the integration of the EU in the 􀏐ield of security and defense and to examine the struggle between the Atlanticist and the European wing of the EU in this regard; It is critical in understanding the impact of NATO on the development of CSDP, the breakpoints in that process and the reasons for the failures experienced, and the today and the future of the relationship NATO, the USA structured with EU member states. After the Cold War, a security environment was established in Europe based on the development of mutual relations between the great powers and the solution of problems with peaceful methods. The annexation of Crimea and destabilization of Ukraine by Russia, who lost the diplomatic war on Ukraine with the West, ended this peace environment. Russia has become a concrete risk and threat to European security with its actions. In order to balance the Russian threat and ensure the security of Europe, NATO and the EU have increased. In the study, the structure of the security relationship between the EU and NATO in the historical process and the direction of this relationship after the Ukraine crisis are examined. It is aimed to reveal the impact of NATO on the European Security Structure and to explain the scope and direction of the future security and defense cooperation between NATO and the EU. Keywords: European Security Structure, NATO, CSDP, Ukraine Crisis.

Review of Samuel Charap and Timothy J. Colton. Everyone Loses: The Ukraine Crisis and the Ruinous Contest for Post-Soviet Eurasia.

Book review of Samuel Charap and Timothy J. Colton. Everyone Loses: The Ukraine Crisis and the Ruinous Contest for Post-Soviet Eurasia. The International Institute for Strategic Studies / Routledge, 2017. Adelphi 56, no. 460. 212 pp. Maps. Notes. Index. $23.95, paper.