Increasingly, Russia’s hegemonic decline is worsening the regional security climate, making Russia’s cooperation with other actors difficult. By connecting politically disadvantageous interdependencies and operating effectively in grey areas, Russia undermines the institutional legitimacy of aggressed states and discredits a series of processes with echoes in the nation’s consciousness, shattering the societal resilience that is the foundation of state sovereignty. In order to cope with Russia’s pressure, the Black Sea coastal states need to improve their ability to maximize specific common foreign policy objectives in order to increase the security capacity of their common geographical region. Violating the sovereignty and independence of other states has become a common practice for Russia. This attitude reflects a deficit in understanding the democratic framework of European civilization and is also undermining of the system of international law.
RUSSIA’S QUEST FOR REGIONAL HEGEMONY: APPEARANCES VS. REALITIES
