Not one inch eastward and the realities of Russian insecurities: Exploring “the West’s” involvement in Maidan Protests

Abstract

The conflict in Ukraine (2014-present) has been a subject of intense scrutiny, yet the influence of Western strategic objectives on this conflict from a Russian perspective remains insufficiently examined. This thesis addresses this gap by examining Russia’s perceived security concerns and the strategic motivations driving its responses. For this reasons, primary sources from Russia, the US, and Ukraine are utilized. This multilingual study has granted some innovative results. The research reveals that Russia has valid reasons to views NATO, particularly the US, as a direct threat to its status as a great power, a view intensified by Western involvement in the Orange and the Maidan Revolution. The study demonstrates that Russia's response of annexing Crimea was a rational decision within the realist theoretical framework. Initially, under Kuchma, Ukraine's balancing act between Russia and the West preserved Russian influence. However, as Ukraine's pro-Western orientation grew, particularly under Yushchenko, Russia’s insecurity deepened. This was intensified by Western support for opposition during the Maidan protests, which Russia, based on the research, had valid reasons to believe that it was Western supported, aimed at weakening Russia’s strategic position that they had under Yanukovych’s leadership. It argues that Russia’s actions were a rational response to security fears, challenging non-realist perspectives that often dismiss Russia’s security concerns as perceived. The research calls for further investigation into Russian and US’s archives and decision-making processes to fully understand the complex dynamics at play. Overall, this thesis stresses the significance of considering great power insecurities and strategic interests in the framework of international conflicts, specifically when assessing the rationale behind Russia’s annexation of Crimea, marking the beginning of Russo-Ukrainian war.