Relations with Neighboring Countries
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was formed by 12 of the 15 former Soviet Republics after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 to preserve some of the political and economic ties. Russia's relations with the CIS countries have, however, been dogged by mutual distrust. Sources of tension between Russia and CIS members include the issue of claim over military assets belonging to the Soviet Union and the status of Russians settled in the former Soviet republics. Most of the disputes about assets have now been settled but such disputes have left a bad taste in the mouth and the initial optimism about the CIS becoming even a loose confederation has not been realized. ("Russia: Foreign Relations," 2005)
Russia's relations with the neighboring Ukraine were particularly strained due to their dispute about the vital Black Sea Fleet and military installations on the Crimean peninsula. Kremlin's ham-handed but unsuccessful interference in a fraudulent November 2004 presidential election in Ukraine has been a serious setback for Russia. The setback is likely to have a corrosive effect on its influence in other former Soviet Republics as the failure reflects Kremlin's weakness, encouraging its neighbors to take a more independent line and seek closer ties with other more powerful countries. On the other hand, Russia's relations with its other neighbors such as China, Korea and Japan have generally improved since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The Obstacles to Progress
On the political front, the authoritarian tendency of the Putin regime and its uncompromising Chechen policy has created strains in its relations with the EU and other Western powers. In the economic...
Other major obstacles to progress are a weak judicial and
banking sector and widespread corruption in the
bureaucracy.
References
Politics: Recent Political Events," (2004) Country Profile Russia 2004 Main Report
Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Retrieved on February 16, 2005 from Economist.com
Russia at a Glance (2005-2006)." (2005). Country Report Russia January 2005 Updater. Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Retrieved on February 16, 2005 from Economist.com
Russia: Foreign Relations." (2005) Political Overview Section from Countrywatch. Retrieved on February 16, 2005 at http://www.countrywatch.com/cw_country.asp?vCOUNTRY=142
Mounting financial pressure forced a large devaluation of the rouble and a default on the government's domestic debt in 1998 until 1999, Russian real GDP had contracted an estimated 43% from 1991
Putin was a the head of the Federal Security Service (former KGB) when Yeltsin appointed him as his
Prime Minister in July 1998
Both incidents were attributed to…
