COUNTERING RUSSIAN AGGRESSION: UKRAINE'S ROLE IN SHAPING REGIONAL SECURITY"

Abstract

This study examines the Russia-Ukraine crisis through the lens of the regional security complex theory. The authors argue that the national securities of Russia and Ukraine are intertwined, and the policies of external powers have a significant impact on regional actors' concepts and behavior. The study finds that Russia's interest is to prevent NATO and the West from expanding into Eastern Europe, where a significant amount of Russia's gas is transported through Ukraine and exported to other European countries. The authors suggest that the West and NATO should refrain from convincing Eastern European nations to join the military organization and from engaging in political and economic activities in the region. The study proposes that sanctions should be targeted at deterring an offender rather than given sentimentally. The authors reaffirm that regional security is socially constructed rather than objective and that non-state actors play a significant role in shaping regional security. The study provides insights into the implications of the Russia-Ukraine crisis and regional security on global politics and emphasizes the importance of a nuanced approach in dealing with regional security challenges.