The Kozyrev Doctrine – The Russian Variant of the Monroe Doctrine

Abstract

The Russian term "near abroad" is used to refer to the neighboring states of the Russian Federation. For those that, until the collapse of the Soviet Union, were part of it as union republics. From a geopolitical point of view, it therefore coincides with the borders of the former Soviet Union. Currently, the area includes the Commonwealth of Independent States and, in addition, those countries that did not join the CIS, i.e. the Baltic States.

It is clear from the attitudes of the representatives of the official Russian foreign policy that Russia's relationship with this near foreign country, especially after the events of October and after the December elections in 1993, experienced a relatively significant, more officially, fully declared shift. What Russia practiced more or less covertly until then is now openly admitted. However, it was only the completion of a trend in Russian politics that had been evident since at least the beginning of 1993. It is evident that Russia has proceeded to restore and strengthen its dominant influence on the territory of the entire former Soviet Union.