Hegemonic Competition over Eurasia and Ukraine's Diplomatic Choice

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 resulted in the emergence of 15 new entities that can independently engage in international relations. In particular, Ukraine's restoration of the sovereign rights signifies more than just a creation of a country. Geopolitically, Ukraine is an axis power that can tip the scale in the hegemonic rivalry between the US and Russia over the Eurasian Continent. The strategic value of Ukraine was clearly demonstrated in the presidential election in November 2004, which was viewed practically as a proxy war between the two superpowers.
Amid the intensifying power struggle between the US‐led West and Russia, Ukraine is left with little room to maneuver between the East and the West. The country remains exposed to various forms of pressure coming from EU and NATO constantly marching toward the East, and Russia on the watch to thwart their expansionary attempts.
Squeezed between East and West, Ukraine should design their foreign policies firmly based on the cold reality facing the nation in order to ensure national security and prosperity as well as to cope with the changing international order in a more effective and flexible manner. This foreign policy was embodied in the so‐called "multivectorism" advocated by former Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma.
In a nutshell, multivectorism denies a conflict of policies that can exist between the European vector and the Russian vector, which presents a source of headache for Ukraine in formulating its foreign policy. How Ukraine sets and prioritizes its policies is not a matter of choice between the two vectors. Rather, it involves multivectors. According to the theory, Ukraine can play the role of a "bridge linking East and West". The Yushchenko government is currently shifting toward a pro‐West stance while weaning itself from Russia. Given the geopolitical reality facing Ukraine, however, multivectorism seems to be the only alternative.

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 resulted in the emergence of 15 new entities that can independently engage in international relations. In particular, Ukraine's restoration of the sovereign rights signifies more than just a creation of a country. Geopolitically, Ukraine is an axis power that can tip the scale in the hegemonic rivalry between the US and Russia over the Eurasian Continent. The strategic value of Ukraine was clearly demonstrated in the presidential election in November 2004, which was viewed practically as a proxy war between the two superpowers.
Amid the intensifying power struggle between the US‐led West and Russia, Ukraine is left with little room to maneuver between the East and the West. The country remains exposed to various forms of pressure coming from EU and NATO constantly marching toward the East, and Russia on the watch to thwart their expansionary attempts.
Squeezed between East and West, Ukraine should design their foreign policies firmly based on the cold reality facing the nation in order to ensure national security and prosperity as well as to cope with the changing international order in a more effective and flexible manner. This foreign policy was embodied in the so‐called "multivectorism" advocated by former Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma.
In a nutshell, multivectorism denies a conflict of policies that can exist between the European vector and the Russian vector, which presents a source of headache for Ukraine in formulating its foreign policy. How Ukraine sets and prioritizes its policies is not a matter of choice between the two vectors. Rather, it involves multivectors. According to the theory, Ukraine can play the role of a "bridge linking East and West". The Yushchenko government is currently shifting toward a pro‐West stance while weaning itself from Russia. Given the geopolitical reality facing Ukraine, however, multivectorism seems to be the only alternative.

참고문헌 (Reference)

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