The Ukrainian Crisis and its impact on the strategic relations between the West and the Russian Federation (original) (raw)

The present Master’s thesis seeks to develop a better understanding of the impact of the recent events in Ukraine on the relations between the Russian Federation and the Western countries. Based on a synthesis of the methodological approaches of traditionalism and positivism and the theoretical school of neorealism, this Master’s thesis examines the roots, the causes and the events of the crisis in Ukraine and subsequently focuses on establishing a comprehensive understanding on whether the impact of the crisis has been such, as to deter cooperation in issues where both the West and Russia have common interests and severely inhibit the potentialities of coordination and cooperation in areas where their interests are incompatible or conflicting. The issues that will be examined are: a) the economic and energy relations between the European Union and the Russian Federation; and b) cooperation in matters of international security, such as nuclear non-proliferation, the counterterrorism –specifically against the Islamic State- and Syria. The main conclusion of this Master’s thesis is that the West and Russia still have managed to cooperate and coordinate in issues, where their interests are aligned –energy, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction-; however, the increased tensions and animosity that has resulted from the events in Ukraine are creating additional obstacles and postponing cooperation in issues, where each side is seeking to further its own agenda.

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