The policy of the Russian Federation and Georgia in the Black Sea region: international legal aspects

Abstract

The geopolitical feature of the Black Sea region is its "cross" position, since it is here that the interests of not just neighboring states meet, but also western and eastern religious, and broader cultural traditions. The territorial location of the Black Sea makes it an important strategic zone at the intersection of the borders of Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East. The region, which has significant potential for economic development, has traditionally been a sphere of intersection of interests of both maritime powers and countries seeking to gain influence in this zone by establishing control over them.This article is devoted to the problem of relations between Russia and Georgia in this region, analyzed by the author from an international legal perspective. The basis of the study of the potentially high conflictogenicity of the Black Sea zone is currently an appeal to the history of the issue, which allows us to reveal the cause-and-effect relationships of the confrontation between countries for the possession of those benefits to which domination in the region opens access. The article examines the relations between Russia and Georgia over the Black Sea in the context of the Georgian side's interactions with the West, in particular with the European Union and NATO. The author draws an important conclusion that the deterioration of relations between Georgia and Russia was a step-by-step process that began after the collapse of the Soviet Union and has been going on up to the present time, when it reached its highest point. Determining the prospects for the development of bilateral relations is of great importance due to the fact that conflicts with Russia, which is a key force in the region, can have a negative impact not only on trade and economic relations between the countries, but also on security policy.