This article argues that Russia’s behavior toward NATO, Europe, and Ukraine is not reactive or episodic but reflects a coherent, long-term strategy aimed at restoring imperial power and reshaping the international order. It contends that Western policymakers often misinterpret Russia’s actions, leading to delayed or insufficient responses. Drawing on geopolitical analysis, ideological frameworks, and official Russian doctrines, the article demonstrates that the Kremlin pursues a defined political end-state: reasserting dominance over the post-Soviet space, projecting influence across Europe, and promoting a multipolar system that constrains Western liberal dominance. Russia’s war against Ukraine is examined as a central strategic instrument in this imperial restoration project rather than as a standalone conflict. The analysis shows how military force, hybrid warfare, energy leverage, diplomacy, and ideological narratives are systematically employed to advance these objectives. Recognizing this strategic consistency is essential for effective Western deterrence and long-term security planning.
BT - Connections: The Quarterly Journal DA - 2025 DO - https://doi.org/10.11610/Connections.24.3.23 IS - 4 N2 -This article argues that Russia’s behavior toward NATO, Europe, and Ukraine is not reactive or episodic but reflects a coherent, long-term strategy aimed at restoring imperial power and reshaping the international order. It contends that Western policymakers often misinterpret Russia’s actions, leading to delayed or insufficient responses. Drawing on geopolitical analysis, ideological frameworks, and official Russian doctrines, the article demonstrates that the Kremlin pursues a defined political end-state: reasserting dominance over the post-Soviet space, projecting influence across Europe, and promoting a multipolar system that constrains Western liberal dominance. Russia’s war against Ukraine is examined as a central strategic instrument in this imperial restoration project rather than as a standalone conflict. The analysis shows how military force, hybrid warfare, energy leverage, diplomacy, and ideological narratives are systematically employed to advance these objectives. Recognizing this strategic consistency is essential for effective Western deterrence and long-term security planning.
PY - 2025 SE - 17 SP - 17 EP - 36 T2 - Connections: The Quarterly Journal TI - Know the Enemy: Understanding Russia's Global Political End-State VL - 24 SN - 1812-1098 ER -