The West’s Confrontation with Russia as a Factor in NATO Expansion

Abstract

The modern confrontation between the countries of the collective West and Russia is acquiring a new pragmatic character, which contributes to the aggravation of sociocultural problems in many countries in the near and far abroad. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), as a geopolitical instrument of pressure from the collective West, is forming an agenda in various interpretations to either escalate tensions or contain Russia. Currently, the ways of investigating this issue have a pronouncedly hostile character, which does not allow for a stable position to be formed for further de-escalation of tensions. As researchers from Western countries and Russia pursue the political implications of the current international agenda, this article suggests considering an alternative view of the confrontation between the collective West and Russia, including through its instrument NATO. The author conducts a retrospective analysis of historical background, which may have led to the aggravation of relations between West and Russia from the Russian side. The position of the author is based on open sources of information, and it is assumed that alternative approach can contribute to finding new ways of studying the confrontation. Further research into the actions and inactions of Western countries towards Russia will allow for a more pragmatic approach to balancing interests of major political actors.