Separatism between Russia and the Post-Soviet Space: A Perspective on Power and Norms

Abstract

Since the end of the Cold War, Russia and the West have engaged in fierce geopolitical competition over the post-Soviet space. Separatism in the post-Soviet space has become a hallmark of their relationship, even an accelerator of contradictions. This paper analyzes Russia’s policy evolution towards separatism in the post-Soviet space from the perspective of the interaction between power and norms to grasp the changes in power dynamics and territorial integrity norms in this region.

Keywords

• post-soviet space
• separatism
• power balance
• territorial integrity norms