Securitization and Regional Activity of a Major Power: The Case of Russia’s Policy During the Ukrainian Crisis

The article analyzes the specifics of securitization and regional behavior of powers. Using the case of Russia’s policy during the current Ukrainian crisis and applying the conceptual system of the Copenhagen School of Security Studies, the concept of securitization and the Regional Security Complexes Theory in particular, the author highlights the peculiarities of this process in powers and its relations with their regional identity and security policy. Accordingly the author defines the structure of the article, its sections that consider the problem’s key aspects: the concept of securitization, its impact on the states’ security policy and interstate relations on the global and regional system levels, the respective theoretical approaches; the concept of power, its main features and distinctions from ordinary states; the regional affiliation of state, the specifics of powers’ involvement into regions; the regional security system in the post-Soviet space, the place and role of Russia, her interests and policy in the region, main issues and dynamics of Russia-Ukraine relations; the Ukrainian crisis and its securitization in Russia, the respective role of the political elite and society; the regional policy of Russia as compared to other involved powers’ policy; securitization in different political regimes. In the author’s opinion, the process of securitization in powers is accompanied by comprehension of their special transboundary capabilities, needs and greatpower values from the standpoint of national security. This is reflected in powers’ sometimes extraordinary activities outside their official territory, which explains the use in their political practice the concepts like “zone of vital interests”, “regions of privileged interests” and others. Hence, considering such zones of powers’ interests it is expedient to use the concept of securitized region. By contrast to the standard securitization process oriented mainly to the specific, short-term phenomenon (military aggression, terrorists attacks, natural hazards) in the case of powers this process can be characterized by sustained perception of certain external areas from the standpoint of key security interests and accompanied by extraordinary reaction to the political crises therein and involvement of other powers.

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