THE UKRAINIAN WAR: A REALIST PERSPECTIVE ON GEOPOLITICAL IMPLICATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

Öz

Russia started the Ukrainian War through its occupation of Crimea in 2014, which subsequently evolved into a total invasion in February 2022 to become one of the most epic geopolitical conflicts of the 21st century. This paper employs the theory of Realism to examine the primary factors, international reactions, and geopolitical effects of this war. Realism serves as a robust theoretical framework for studying the movements of Russia alongside Ukraine, NATO, and the European Union, as it emphasises the importance of state autonomy, military capability, and security concerns. The war’s examination reveals Russia’s territorial expansion goals, which altered the post-Cold War political system by evoking Western military reactions and endangering European security structures. Throughout this assessment, the effects on European security are analysed together with NATO’s strategic orientation and the modifications occurring in global alliances. This paper examines realist global governance challenges by analysing international military aid, diplomatic measures, and economic sanctions. In addition, the paper aims to identify the future trajectory of this war and its impact on international relations, drawing on realist principles of modern global power politics.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Ukrainian War
• Russia
• NATO
• European Union
• Realism

UKRAYNA SAVAŞI: ULUSLARARASI REAKSİYON VE JEOPOLİTİK YANSIMALAR ÜZERİNE REALİST BİR BAKIŞ AÇISI

Öz

Rusya, Ukrayna Savaşı’nı 2014’te Kırım’ı işgal ederek başlattı ve bu daha sonra Şubat 2022’de tam bir işgale dönüşerek 21. yüzyılın en önemli jeopolitik çatışmalarından biri haline geldi. Bu makale, bu savaşın temel faktörlerini, uluslararası reaksiyonları ve jeopolitik yansımalarını araştırmak için Realist teoriyi kullanmaktadır. Realizm, devlet otonomisi, askeri kapasitesi ve güvenlik endişeleri konusunda belirleyici olduğu için Rusya’nın Ukrayna, NATO ve Avrupa Birliği ile birlikte politikalarını incelemek için güçlü bir teorik çerçeve görevi görmektedir. Mevcut savaşın incelenmesi, Batının askeri reaksiyon göstermesine sebep olarak ve Avrupa güvenlik yapısını tehlikeye atarak Soğuk Savaş sonrası dünya düzenini değiştiren Rusya’nın topraklarını genişletme hedefini ortaya koymaktadır. Bu değerlendirme boyunca, Avrupa güvenliği üzerindeki etkiler NATO’nun stratejik yönelimi ve küresel ittifaklarda meydana gelen değişikliklerle birlikte analiz edilmektedir. Bu makale, uluslararası askeri yardım, diplomatik önlemler ve ekonomik yaptırımları analiz ederek realist küresel yönetişimin zorluklarını incelemektedir. Ayrıca, makale, realizmin prensiplerini kullanarak bu savaşın nasıl evrileceğini ve uluslararası ilişkiler üzerindeki etkilerini analiz etmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Ukrayna Savaşı
• Rusya
• NATO
• Avrupa Birliği
• Realizm

Kaynakça

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