The Reminiscence of the Cold War in Europe: Contemporary Perspective on European Security and Relations between the West and Russia

Abstract

As the relations between the West and Russia seem to spill over into worst, a dilemma comes into one’s mind: is the world facing a resurgence of the Cold War? The fear has become realistic since the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 and the worsening of the situation in east Ukraine. The article analyzes European security and its prospects in light of the growing tensions between the West and Russia. Particular emphasis is given to the key international treaties such that the Conventional Forces Treaty and Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile Treaty. The author argues that although the relations between the West and Russia are at their lowest point and possibly heading for worse, one can hardly talk about a new Cold War. There is military buildup, and strong rhetoric accompanied by some measures towards condemnation of another party’s moves - yet there is still a certain level of communication and consent over some issues such as the Iranian nuclear program or fight against terrorism. For a New Cold War to resurge it would be necessary to see the adversaries more or less on equal footing, which does not seem to be the case. The West (NATO) has enlarged since the end of the Cold War but also has become stronger, while Russia does not even remotely resemble the USSR, and its alternatives in Asia cannot compensate for it.

Keywords

• new cold war
• european security
• ukraine
• crimea