Conflict Dynamics of Russia – Ukraine relations after USSR

Russia and Ukraine, as two separate countries, have been able to find common ground in many aspects throughout history due to the geography they share. When the sociocultural values they possess are considered, it is almost impossible to distinguish the people of the two countries from each other. Although it is possible to say that such similarities encourage the states to establish friendly relations, the course of RussiaUkraine relations has not been in this direction. Despite the shared values, the concept that has emerged in the relations between the two countries has been conflict. Based on the similarities and considering the policies that Russia has been following against Ukraine for centuries, Ukraine has been referred to as Russia's 'younger brother' and Russia has been called the 'big brother' in many works. Although the leaders and forms of government have changed over the years, the 'conflict' environment in bilateral relations has not changed, it has only changed shape. From the USSR period to the present, the waters between the two countries have not calmed down and the tension in the relations has increased and gained momentum. The aim of this study is to examine the historical background of Russia-Ukraine relations, to touch on the breaking and turning points of the relations and to explain the status of the relations within a realist and neo-realist framework. This study seeks to answer why Russia and Ukraine have not been able to resolve their conflict dynamics over the years despite sharing a deep-rooted common history and having similarities in many areas. This research examines the process from the Tsarist Russia period to the present. The first part of this thesis covers the last periods of Tsarist Russia. The second part of the thesis defines classical realism and mentions events that triggered tension between the two countries during the USSR period, such as the Holodomor and the Stalin government, the strategies followed by the leaders and the results of these processes within the framework of realism. The third part of the thesis defines structural realism and discusses the period starting from the dissolution of the USSR and continuing until the 2022 Russia-Ukraine War within the framework of structural realism. The changes in leadership in the countries during this process and the results of these changes are included and the processes that brought the two countries face to face are discussed. Keywords: Russia, Ukraine, Holodomor, Orange Revolution, 2022 Russia-Ukraine War, Classical Realism, Structural Realism