AN ANALYSIS OF NATO AS A CHALLENGE FOR RUSSIA

Abstract

This paper aims to present the strategic relations between NATO and Russia and analyse the reasons which make Russia see NATO as a threat to its independence and interests. NATO’s expansion eastward, the proliferation of military bases near Russia’s borders, and the development of partnerships with post-Soviet states in the wake of the Cold War have ratcheted up Moscow’s perception of strategic encirclement. Adopting a qualitative approach, rooted in neorealist explanation, the research examines how Russia has perceived NATO across seminal events such as the expansion of the alliance, the 2008 war in Georgia, the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The conclusions are that Russia considers NATO to be an instrument of geopolitical containment, threatening its security, influence, and regional great power status, rather than just a defensive alliance. The study suggests that until the security structure is realigned and the dialogue re-established, the NATO-Russia relationship will remain hostage to mutual distrust, escalation and systemic confrontation.

Keywords: NATO, Russia, sovereignty, strategic encirclement, neorealism, security dilemma, NATO expansion, Eastern Europe, hybrid warfare, NATO-Russia relations