Rusia ante, contra o con Occidente: diferentes posiciones en las relaciones entre dos ejes complementarios del poder mundial

Abstract

Since its independence, the Russian Federation bases its external relations in a triple axis which is perfectly complementary. First, Moscow seeks relations of trust and complementarity with Western Europe, which have permitted the necessary economic cooperation for Russia’s recovery after the collapse of the USSR. Secondly, in the strategic relations there have been moments of unstability as well as stages of deep collaboration. Finally, Russia prioritizes the preservation of its role as a great power and regional leader, for which it has required the cooperation of the Western powers. The consequences are a dynamics where apparent distancing and tensions are part of an intense collaboration where actors often exchange their roles to allow a greater dynamism, which legitimates friendships and attitudes that are not easy to justify for the Kremlin to the Russian society and to its own allies. However, the results of these dynamics benefit all the involved actors.