Russian - Ukrainian relations since 1991 - Essay Example

The most significant new states resulting from the break-up of the Soviet Union are unquestionably Russia and Ukraine. Referred to as the “big two”, Russia’s population at the time of the break-up was at 150 million while Ukraine’s population was at 50 million. More importantly, Ukraine is the second largest post-Soviet state after Russia. As Ukraine seeks to establish itself as an independent nation and to forge ties with Western powers, Russia is determined to establish itself as an empire and is therefore focused on obtaining and sustaining both regional and international power.

Arguably, there is an underlying ideology that fuels Russia’s drive to obtain and sustain regional and international power. From the perspective of the Russian Nationalist, Russia maintains a separate identity from the West and Ukraine provides the border between the West and Russia. Therefore, looked at from the Russian nationalist perspective, it is not possible for Ukraine to exist as a state independent of Russia. This research study argues that this is the principle theme underlying Russia’s foreign policy and is also the main source of tension in the relationship between Russia and Ukraine since 1991.

In order to substantiate this argument, this paper is divided into three main parts. The first part of this paper describes the events leading up to the break-up of the Soviet Union and how those events left Russian-Ukrainian relations in 1991 at the start of the post-Soviet era. The second part of this research study analyses Russia’s foreign policy after 1991. . ..16 B. The Orange Revolution………………………………………….21 C. Relations During Yuschenko and Tymoshenko’s Administration..24 D.

The Return of Yanukovich:the Sevastopol Deal and Energy Supplies………………………………………………..……………..29 V. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………….34 Bibliography…………………………………………………………………….36 I. Introduction The most significant new states resulting from the break-up of the Soviet Union are unquestionably Russia and Ukraine. Referred to as the “big two”, Russia’s population at the time of the break-up was at 150 million while Ukraine’s population was at 50 million.

5 More importantly, Ukraine is the second largest post-Soviet state after Russia.6 As Ukraine seeks to establish itself as an independent nation and to forge ties with Western powers, Russia is determined to establish itself as an empire and is therefore focused on obtaining and sustaining both regional and international power.7 Arguably, there is an underlying ideology that fuels Russia’s drive to obtain and sustain regional and international power. From the perspective of the Russian Nationalist, Russia maintains a separate identity from the West and Ukraine provides the border between the West and Russia.

Therefore, looked at from the Russian nationalist perspective, it is not possible for Ukraine to exist as a state independent of Russia.8 This research study argues that this is the principle theme underlying Russia’s foreign policy and is also the main source of tension in the relationship between Russia and Ukraine since 1991. In order to substantiate this argument, this paper is divided into