POST-COLD WAR CHALLENGES AND THE REGIONAL
Abstract
The Russia–Ukraine conflict, which began in 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea and escalated into a full-scale invasion in February 2022, has fundamentally reshaped the political, economic, and security landscape of Eastern Europe and the broader international system. This paper critically examines the multidimensional consequences of the conflict for Eastern Europe, the European Union (EU), and global geopolitics. The study relies on qualitative data drawn from secondary sources, including scholarly publications, policy documents, government reports, and credible media sources. It is anchored in Realist Theory, which explains Russia’s foreign policy through the pursuit of national interests, power, and security within an anarchic international system, particularly in response to perceived threats from NATO’s eastward expansion. The analysis is further enriched by Regional Security Complex Theory (RSCT), which highlights the growing security interdependence among geographically proximate states in Eastern Europe. Together, these theoretical perspectives provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the motivations of key actors and the evolving regional security environment. The findings indicate that the conflict has intensified political divisions across Europe, revived bloc politics, strengthened NATO’s military posture, disrupted global supply chains, fueled inflation and energy insecurity, and generated significant humanitarian challenges through large-scale refugee displacement. Additionally, the war has prompted increased defense spending and accelerated efforts toward strategic autonomy within the EU. The study recommends strengthening refugee integration policies, enhancing regional cooperation, and promoting reconciliation initiatives to mitigate humanitarian suffering and reduce the risk of future geopolitical and ethnic tensions.