Thoughts on the frozen conflicts in the space of the former Soviet Union
Frozen conflicts are a term used to describe unresolved territorial disputes that have resulted in de facto statehood for unrecognized entities. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in the former Soviet space, where the collapse of the Soviet Union led to the emergence of several new states, many of which have unresolved conflicts with their neighbors. One of the most significant challenges to resolving these conflicts is Russia's ongoing meddling in the internal affairs of sovereign states. Russia's involvement ranges from providing military support to unrecognized entities, to using propaganda and economic pressure to influence the political decisions of neighboring states. The general consensus among experts and policymakers is that there can be no progress in resolving these conflicts without a democratic Russia that respects the sovereignty of its neighbors. Unfortunately, under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, Russia has become increasingly authoritarian ...