The Near Abroad's Economic Interaction with the West in and Russia’s Stance

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Abstract

The dissolution of the Soviet Union faced the disintegrated East superpower with a tattered economic structure that had to be restored with the assistance of the West in an atmosphere free from ideological barriers. Except for Russia that still claimed to be the superpower, other countries of the collapsed Soviet Union attempted, in various degrees, to attract the West investment and technology. On the other hand, despite being affected by the Cold War, Moscow sporadically opposed efforts made by Europe and the US to extend their influence to the immediate vicinity of Russia. But gradually the need for economic recovery made the Kremlin pave the way for acceptance and penetration of the West. In spite of Russia’s behavioral fluctuations, the approach of advancement of national interests has been perused by Moscow through various tactics including making use of the tool of energy in lobbying with the West.

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