Military occupations conducted by Russia in the 21st century and their implications: the cases of Georgia and Ukraine

Abstract

For centuries, Russia has been a country that has demonstrated its strength in the international political system. First, the emergence of the Soviet Union and 15 countries united under one roof, and then its collapse in 1991, made Russia a more aggressive state, as the international community witnessed during these years. This was mainly directed against the post-Soviet space, as Russia still believes that post-Soviet countries are and should be under Russian influence. This is the main reason why Russia has an aggressive foreign policy towards its neighbors, especially Georgia and Ukraine. The wars against Ukraine and Georgia show how great the threat from an imperialist neighboring state can be. The three main years of the wars are outlined here: 2008, 2014, and 2022, when Russia began a new military occupation of Ukraine. This aggressive foreign policy dimension poses a threat not only to the post-Soviet space, but also to international security. Russia's domestic and foreign policy has always been a subject of the international world order, as its steps have always had certain consequences for both the regional and international political system. In this study, we will look at the main consequences of the military occupations carried out by Russia in the 21st century.