The Russian Approach towards Central and Eastern Europe
The Russian Approach towards Central and Eastern Europe

Summary/Abstract: It is difficult to fully fathom Russia’s policy vis-àvis the Central and Eastern European region – primarily because this policy lacks strategic continuity. For a variety of reasons, the region has never enjoyed Russia’s pre-eminent attention in the past decade and a half. When it did become important from time to time, its relevance mostly stemmed from strategic objectives beyond the region, and Russian activity in recent years marks no exception in this regard. Still, the increased Russian presence today appears considerably more serious than previous bursts of interest, mainly because it no longer consists of attempts to improve the position of a weak Russia, significantly bogged down by internal problems and vying for recognition by the West, but rather the actions of a power that is increasingly self-assured, which represents its interests assertively, and is occasionally willing to engage in confrontation. Yet it would be a mistake to believe that all this is happening on our account. In as far as Central and Eastern Europe has become important, it is still not for its own sake; the region’s increased value is foremost a result of the significance of its transit role. Not even this particular factor makes us indispensable, however. Nothing symbolizes this better than the example of Poland.[…]

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