Military as an instrument of the Russian Federation’s policy towards Ukraine

Abstract

Military instrument became meaningful in Russian Federation’s policy towards Ukraine. Russia strives for increasing military capacities of the Black Sea fleet and of Southern military district. It is in Russia’s own interest to keep military presence in the territory of Ukraine. On one hand, Russia intends to keep Ukraine in its sphere of influence. In that case, direct involvement of Russian troops in fighting (on the side of the separatists) is possible. On the other hand, Russia’s aim is a significant reduction of Ukrainian prospects for integration with the West, especially the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. There are two forms – a military deterrence and a military strength demonstration – that aim at warning and preventing other states, especially in the West, from direct or indirect involvement in events in Ukraine. Moreover, it is also in Russia’s interest to maintain ‘informal’ ties with enterprises that do not have their counterparts in the military-industrial complex of Russia. In this case, we may assume this situation will continue until Russia develops its own production capacities.