Aug 2026· INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND MANAGEMENT RESEARCH· pp. 327· 0 citations
Abstract
The Russia–Ukraine War has emerged as one of the most significant geopolitical conflicts of the
twenty-first century, with far-reaching implications for international security, global governance,
and economic stability. This study examines the conflict through the lens of Realist theory, focusing
on the historical origins of the war, the strategic motivations of the key actors, and its implications
for international relations. A qualitative research design was adopted, relying on secondary data
obtained from peer-reviewed journal articles, policy documents, and scholarly publications. The
study finds that the conflict is primarily driven by power politics, security concerns, and balance
of-power dynamics within an anarchic international system. The findings further reveal that NATO
expansion, Russia’s perception of strategic encirclement, and Ukraine’s geopolitical significance
contributed significantly to the escalation of tensions. While Liberal and Constructivist
perspectives provide important insights regarding institutional failure and identity politics,
Realism offers the most comprehensive explanation of the conflict. The study concludes that the
Russia–Ukraine War demonstrates the continuing relevance of Realist theory in explaining
contemporary interstate conflicts and highlights the enduring importance of national interests and
security considerations in international politics. The study recommends strengthening diplomatic
engagement, improving security dialogue among major powers, and promoting cooperative
mechanisms to reduce future geopolitical tensions.
This study examines the implications of the Russian–Ukraine war for regional security in West Africa. The conflict, which began in 2022, has transcended its geographical boundaries to reshape global political and economic relations, revealing how interconnected and vulnerable regional systems have become in the twenty-first century. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study utilized data from scholarly publications, institutional reports, and verified media sources to trace the indirect but profound impact of the conflict on political stability, food security, foreign military influence, and regional cooperation in West Africa. Through this approach, the research offered a contextual understanding of how global power rivalries and supply chain disruptions translate into local insecurity, economic strain, and institutional fragility within the sub-region. The findings of the study indicate that the Russian–Ukraine war has had far-reaching effects on West Africa, primarily through economic, security, and geopolitical channels. It revealed that disruptions in global food and energy supply chains have intensified inflation, public discontent, and operational challenges for already underfunded security forces. The inability of several West African governments to cushion these shocks has heightened citizens’ frustrations, deepened inequality, and strained national cohesion. These pressures have allowed violent non-state actors to strengthen their foothold in rural and ungoverned areas, where weak state presence has created vacuums for parallel systems of governance. In these spaces, insurgent and extremist groups exploit socio-economic despair to consolidate control, thereby expanding the geography of insecurity across national borders. Furthermore, the study identified that the vacuum created by reduced Western engagement enabled Russia, through the Wagner Group, to expand its influence, often in exchange for political loyalty from transitional regimes. This shift in external alignment has marked a major reconfiguration of regional power relations, where regimes facing legitimacy crises increasingly turn to alternative global partners for survival. The study also found that cyber vulnerabilities and disinformation, influenced by Russian hybrid tactics, are increasingly shaping the information environment in West Africa. The study concluded that while the Russia–Ukraine war is not occurring on African soil, its consequences have destabilized already fragile states in West Africa, amplified governance weaknesses, and exposed the region’s structural dependency on global markets. It emphasized that these challenges, if left unchecked, could further undermine socio-political cohesion and regional stability. In response, the study recommends a regional strategy that prioritizes democratic accountability, economic diversification, and collective security frameworks. ECOWAS and the African Union must enhance their coordination, invest in cyber resilience, and develop community-centered counterterrorism policies that reflect local realities.
E. Demson, Esin Okon Eminue, Tony Johnson Ekpo· International Journal of Soc...· 0 citations
The Russia-Ukraine war has emerged as one of the most significant conflicts of the twenty-first century, garnering widespread attention from political analysts and scholars of international relations who are assessing the reasons for the conflict and also analysing the future course of the war. The conflict has generated significant debates regarding the sovereignty and integrity of a state, security and role of international organization such as United Nations and whether it is still relevant in the present scenario. This paper examines the conflict through the theoretical lens of the theory of Realism and Idealism in International Relations. Realism on one hand, emphasizes power politics, national interests and pursuit of strategic interests by a state while Idealism emphasizes on collective security, diplomacy and dialogue to maintain international peace and harmony among the nations.
A comparative analytical approach is applied in the study to evaluate how both the theories explain the reasons and the consequences of the conflict. Realism evaluates the conflict in terms of power politics and pursuit of strategic interests by the nation for the fulfilment of its national interests. From this perspective, Russia actions can be analysed as an attempt on its part to preserve and secure its national security and protect its strategic national interests in the face of perceived external threat by the expansion of NATO into the Eastern Europe and including Ukraine as its member.
In contrast, Idealism emphasizes the principles of international peace and stresses on the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for maintaining peace and stability. It also emphasizes on the utility of international organizations for maintaining peace and security. During the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict these principles were reflected as the United Nations repeatedly condemned Russia’s act of violation and aggression but Russia being a permanent member at the United Nations Security Council, these attempts by United Nations proved to be futile.
The following study presents the notion that both realism and idealism offer valuable insights into the conflict, though Realism tends to provide a stronger and viable explanation of the strategic motives behind the state actions while Idealism highlights the importance of international institutions, diplomacy and legal norms. The paper concludes that an elaborate understanding of the conflict requires consideration of both perspectives.
Ms. Nimisha Singh, Ms. Anushka Singh· International Journal of Res...· 0 citations
This research critically evaluates the interrelationship between the competition of major powers within Syria and the transitional regime. This study focuses is on the reasons for the failure of the mediation structures established under the United Nations. It employs a qualitative explanatory single-case study design and process-tracing methodology with the help of neorealism and proxy war theories. Its purpose is to examine the process of transforming a regional political conflict into a prolonged international proxy war of conflicting strategic interests of superpowers. It is argued that the effective resolution of the Syrian conflict and the process of political transition have been adversely affected by the Russian-American geopolitical competition. The conflicting strategic interests of the United States and Russia, continuous diplomatic vetoes, and parallel diplomatic initiatives have paralyzed the institutional role of the UN Security Council. This failure creates significant obstacles to resolving the Syrian conflict through an agreed international process. This paper also investigates the structural motivations behind the gradual weakening of the governance structure of the Assad regime to its collapse. It shows that the Bashar al-Assad regime's external aid lifelines have been disrupted as Damascus's main external patrons become engaged in other geopolitical theatres. It also examines the transformation of the proxy war policy by the United States and Russia into pragmatic diplomacy after the establishment of a new controversial transitional government. This study has shown that major power strategic confrontations, proxy alignments and geopolitical balances are having profound effect on state transitions in the current multipolar era.
Muhammad Shahid, Adeel Irfan· Research Journal of Human an...· 0 citations
The Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 spiraled into a full-scale military confrontation
between Russia and Ukraine, the aftermath of Russia’s Special Military Operation into the
Republic of Ukraine in 2022. The conflict did not ensue as an isolated incident; it was an
extension of the distrust in Russian-West European relationship that had its historical root
traced to the post WW2 period. The war between the two countries has global security
significance owing to its prospect of activating a new geopolitical military confrontation
between Ukrainian-backed American/western aligned countries and Russia and its allies on
one hand, the undermining of the essence of United Nations’ existence as the global peace
architect on the other hand, and the challenge of the world order as regards sovereignty
legitimacy of independent countries. This work examined the extent of global implications of
Russian-Ukraine prolonged conflict. The research was qualitative, deploying Conflict and
Geopolitical Strategic theory as research framework. Though Russia’s provocation into the war
could be adduced to several reasons, some of which are historical, political and security, prime
in its agenda is strategic and security concerns
Matthew T. Taiwo· International Journal of Soc...· 0 citations
This study examines the repercussions of the Ukraine war on the trajectory of Russian–Turkish bilateral relations, in light of the interests and objectives shaping the nature of this relationship on the one hand, and the divergence of positions regarding Russia’s war on Ukraine on the other. Turkey maintains strategic relations and economic and military partnerships with Russia, which has led Ankara to adopt a policy of neutrality during the war, out of concern for its interconnected interests with the Russian side. However, this does not preclude Turkey from continuing to play an active role within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), particularly as the war in Ukraine has contributed to reshaping the pattern of interaction between Russia and Turkey within an international environment characterized by escalating polarization and its impact on the balance of power. The study also highlights the central research problem concerning the extent to which both parties are capable of maintaining a strategic pattern of relations amid the ongoing international escalation and competition in the region.
Asst.prof. Rafid Ahmed Mohammed Amin· Misan Journal of Political a...· 0 citations
The ongoing confrontation between Russia and Ukraine serves as a compelling example of the complex interplay between geopolitics, cultural identities, and historical legacies in intricate international disputes. This article employs Samuel P. Huntington's concept of the “Clash of Civilizations” to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the multifaceted aspects of this enduring conflict. As historical precedents show, the conflict is a manifestation of protracted and ongoing acts of aggression. It highlights the significance of cultural and civilizational differences in shaping its trajectory. Given the evolving global dynamics of conflicts, it is increasingly important to understand various other factors which exploit theses differences and led to the deepening of the conflict. The aim of this research is to examine the underlying factors that have contributed to the Russia – Ukraine war, with a particular emphasis on cultural and theological differences between the two countries, as well as the impact of global power dynamics. The ongoing conflict between the two adversaries could be viewed as a manifestation of longstanding historical tensions rather than a single isolated event.
Maria Mansab, Fatima Zafar· Journal of European Studies· 0 citations
