Political situation in Ukraine in the context of postrevolution irredentism theory by G. K. Jenkins
The problems of the annexation of Crimea, military confrontation in the Eastern Ukraine, tension between Ukraine and Russia are the subject of many scientists’ analysis, though the irredentist factor of this situation remains underinvestigated. The aim of the study is to determine the causes of military confrontation between Ukraine and Russia from the perspective of post-revolution irredentism theory by G. K. Jenkins. In his work «Post-Revolution War: A Product of Irredentism» the scientist states that a war is a natural consequence of the post-revolutionary situation if two neighboring states have territorial disputes. Revolution encourages formation or extension of irredentist claims that can be raised by a revolutionary state or by the neighboring state. The fundamental principles of the theory are verified by Ukrainian realities. At the end of 2013 - beginning of 2014 the Revolution of Dignity took place in Ukraine, which led to the overthrow of the clannish system and oligarchic regime. The growth of national consciousness of the majority of the Ukrainian was the result of the revolution. Immediately Ukraine faced separatism in Crimea and Donbas, which was conducted under the Russian scenario. In terms of post-revolutionary situation the government of the Russian Federation claimed interest in the welfare of ethnic Russians in Ukraine. In 2014 the Russian Federation completed the annexation of Crimea. The realization of the irredentist course in foreign policy of Russia was possible due to the growth of nationalism and the existence of the idea of the «Russian World». Ukraine respects the inviolability of the borders of other countries and do not initiate irredentist policy. The new Ukrainian government protects the territorial integrity of the state and conducts the «Anti-Terrorist Operation» in the East. Russia supports terrorist movements: the «Donetsk People's Republic» and the «Lugansk People's Republic». De facto there is a hybrid war between Ukraine and Russia in the form of combination of war and information confrontation. Represented data show the impact of the post-revolutionary situation in Ukraine in 2014 on the activating of expansionist aspirations of the Russian Federation, war situation between Ukraine and Russia. Notwithstanding this military confrontation is not a direct result of the post-revolutionary situation in Ukraine. In fact, conflict between two states was inevitable because of the protracted contradictions between countries. The complex political situation in Ukraine became a catalyst for the clash of interests.