Zbigniew Brzezinski’s perspective on the geostrategic and geopolitical importance of Ukraine

Geostrategiczne i geopolityczne znaczenie Ukrainy – perspektywa Zbigniewa Brzezińskiego

Abstract: The aim of this article was to portray the complexity of the crisis/war in Ukraine, an event that has shaken Europe more than any other since World War II. The complexity of the crisis could be located in the involvement of external powers (Russia, US, NATO, EU, Turkey, etc.). Zbigniew Brzezinski throws light on the geopolitical significance of Ukraine in the context of the tendency of great powers to secure dominance in Eurasia. Brzezinski assigned Ukraine as a “pivotal” figure on the “Eurasian chessboard” due to its vital geostrategic position, major resources, access to the Black Sea, and importance for Russian strategic interests. In terms of a realist perspective and geopolitical thoughts, Brzezinski’s writings still represent a valuable asset in the analysis of the current crisis in Ukraine.

Bibliography:

1. Anderson J., The contemporary geopolitics series: Eurasia, politics and governance Russia and Central Asia, 24 February 2015, https://www.glimpsefromtheglobe.com/topics/politics-and-governance/contemporary-geopolitics-series-eurasia/.

2. Brzezinski Z., Game plan: A geostrategic framework for the conduct of the U.S.-Soviet contest, Boston 1986.

3. Brzezinski Z., A geostrategy for Eurasia, “Foreign Policy” 1997, vol. 76, no. 5.

4. Brzezinski Z., Geopolitically speaking Russia’s “sphere of influence” – Chechnya and beyond, “Azerbaijan International” 2000, vol. 8, no. 1, http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/81_folder/81_articles/81_brzezinski.html.

5. Brzezinski Z., Huntington S., Political power: U.S.A./U.S.S.R., New York 1964.

6. Brzezinski Z., Russia needs to be offered a “Finland option” for Ukraine, “Financial Times”, 24 February 2014, https://www.ft.com/content/e855408c-9bf6-11e3-afe3-00144feab7de.

7. Brzezinski Z., Strategic vision. America and the crisis of global power, New York 2012.

8. Brzezinski Z., The grand failure: The birth and death of communism in the twentieth century, New York 1989.

9. Brzezinski Z., Toward a Global Realignment. As its era of global dominance ends, the United States needs to take the lead in realigning the global power architecture, “The American Interest”, 17 April 2016, vol. 11, no. 6, https://www.the-american-interest.com/2016/04/17/toward-a-global-realignment/.

10. Brzezinski Z., The Great Chessboard: American dominance and its geostrategic imperatives, New York, 1997.

11. Brzezinski Z., The premature partnership, “Foreign Affairs”, March/April 1994, vol. 73, no. 2.

12. Buchholz K., Turkey makes way for Sweden’s NATO accession, Statista, 12 July 2023, https://www.statista.com/chart/26674/european-countries-by-year-of-joining-nato/.

13. Didier B., The Ukraine crisis or the revival of the Grand Chessboard’s geopolitics: Euro-Atlantic response to Russia’s assault, “Open Diplomacy” 2016, https://www.open-diplomacy.eu/blog/the-ukraine-crisis-or-the-revival-of-the-grand-chessboard-s-geopolitics.

14. Kirchick J., Finlandization is not a solution for Ukraine, “The American Interest”, 27 July 2014, https://www.the-american-interest.com/2014/07/27/finlandization-is-not-a-solution-for-ukraine/.

15. Khurshudyan I., Putin dreams of a Russian sphere of influence. Kazakhstan’s protesters are the latest to push back, “The Washington Post”, 8 January 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/01/08/russia-putin-kazakhstan/.

16. Lo B., The Ukraine effect: Demise or rebirth of the global order?, Lowy Institute, 11 May 2023, https://www.lowyinstitute.org/publications/ukraine-effect-demise-or-rebirth-global-order/.

17. Mackinder H.J., The Geographical Pivot of History, “The Geographical Journal” 1904, vol. 23, no. 4.

18. Mackinder H.J., Democratic ideals and reality. A study in the politics of reconstruction, National Defence University Press, 1996.

19. Masters J., Ukraine: Conflict at the crossroads of Europe and Russia, Council on Foreign Relations, 14 February 2023, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/ukraine-conflict-crossroads-europe-and-russia.

20. Orlandic S., Geopolitical perspective of the Russian Federation and Brzezinski’s readings of Ukrainian crisis, “Journal of Liberty and International Affairs” 2018, vol. 4, no. 3.

21. Schaffer N., What is a sphere of influence and how to leverage one for business, https://nealschaffer.com/what-is-a-sphere-of-influence/.

22. Villar O., Great power competition in Ukraine amidst the emerging US-China rivalry, “E-International Relations”, March 2022, https://www.e-ir.info/2022/03/09/great-power-competition-in-ukraine-amidst-the-emerging-us-china-rivalry/.

PDF: Download