Information on the thesis

The thesis provides a comprehensive analysis of the study of the phenomenon of
“frozen conflicts”, reveals the main causes of their occurrence, as well as searches for
mechanisms and means of their political settlement.
Analyzing the problem of “frozen conflicts”, a special emphasis is placed on
their consideration through the prism of the “hybrid war” and “hybrid confrontation”.
This is explained by the fact that the “classical” forms of warfare have become a thing
of the past, the goal of today’s conflicts is not so much the conquest of new territories,
but the maximum spread of geopolitical influence, using political, economic,
informational, religious and other levers of influence as a method of struggle.
This is particularly evident in the works we have considered in the thesis: “The
World Hybrid War: the Ukrainian format”, “Donbass and the Crimea: the price of
return” by Volodymyr Horbulin and the work “The hybrid war: to survive and defeat”
by Yevhen Mahda. We single out a number of factors, the realization of which allowed Russia to
commit aggression against Ukraine, the most influential are the following: “facade
democracy” and greater concentration of power; declarativity of security policy;
economic, financial and transit dependence of our state; strategic disorientation of
international policy; “gaps” in the information space.
It has been proved that the problem of “hybrid war” is typical not only for
Ukraine; in fact the entire territory of the former Soviet Union is characterized by
conflict-related issues and a number of “frozen conflicts”.
Thus, analyzing the reasons for the emergence of the Trans-Dniester, Abkhaz-
Ossetian and Nagorno-Karabakh “frozen conflicts”, it is noted that along with the
complicated internal ethno-political contradictions that have been forming within these
regions for a long time and eventually led to an armed confrontation, there is also an
external factor, which directly affects the process of resolving each of these conflicts.
It is presented mainly by the position of the Russian Federation, which directly affects
the process of resolving these conflicts solely on the basis of its geopolitical interests
and objectives.
In the thesis, a certain tendency is singled out in the development of the Trans-
Dniester, Abkhaz-Ossetian and Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts. It is noted that in the late
80s and early 90s there was an active phase of conflict deployment, accompanied by
fighting, numerous victims and significant destruction. A characteristic feature of this
period is the direct intervention in the course of conflicts of Moscow, which actively
advocates on the side of separatist entities, providing them with comprehensive
military, economic and political support. As a result, attempts and efforts on the
peaceful resolution of conflicts have not received a proper result.
In addition, the thesis emphasizes the lack of a clear and unambiguous position
on the part of the West and the United States on the settlement of “frozen conflicts” on
the post-Soviet territory. It is, therefore, stated that the presence of these factors created
and keeps on creating favourable conditions for Russia to use these conflicts in their
interests, thereby strengthening their influence both at the regional and global levels.
In the thesis particular attention is paid to the study of Kosovo and Cyprus
“frozen conflicts”. In the issues of the Kosovo problem, a special emphasis is placed on the
ideological component in the confrontation between Belgrade and Pristina. It
emphasizes the significance of Kosovo for the Serbian national culture. It was in
studies revealing that there are two key periods in the relationship between the
conflicting sides. The first period, connected to the figure of the then head of
Yugoslavia, J. B. Tito, is characterized by a sufficiently liberal policy of the then higher
Yugoslav leadership. A characteristic feature of this period was the Deserbianisation
of Kosovo, which in fact created favourable conditions for the future spread of radical
aspirations in the circles of Kosovo Albanians. The second period is related to the
figure of S. Milosevic, and is determined by the authoritarian and nationalist position
of the Serbian leader, in his desire to revive the lost greatness of the Serbian state,
which eventually led to the final disintegration of Yugoslavia and the emergence of
numerous wars and conflicts on its former territories.
Exploring the Kosovo conflict, the emphasis in the work is on the analysis and
importance of the role played by the West and the United States in resolving conflicts
in the Balkan Peninsula.
The place and role of Kosovo in the global geopolitical system, after gaining
independence, is revealed, as well as the risks which today arise as a result of the
decision are emphasized.
In detail, the thesis analyzes the problem of finding mechanisms and forms for
resolving the Cyprus “frozen conflict”. The historical peculiarities that led to an armed
confrontation on the island are revealed, which resulted in its split into two parts,
namely, the Republic of Cyprus, which controls the southern part of the island and the
self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The study highlights the main
reasons that hinder the peaceful resolution of the conflict, as well as the steps which
will contribute to the final settlement of the Cyprus crisis. The influence and role of
Greek and Turkish factors in the issue of the Cyprus conflict are considered.
The paper analyzes the methods and possible ways of resolving the Russo-
Ukrainian armed conflict. Particular attention in this context is paid to the “Croatian
experience” of the liberation of the occupied regions, and the study of the activities
of the international peacekeeping mission in the areas of confrontation is of particular
interest.
It has been proved that the Russian armed aggression against Ukraine led not
only to the occupation of the Crimea and part of the territories of Donetsk and Lugansk
regions, but also attested a crisis and institutional weakness that manifests itself both
in the politics of certain European countries and among the Western international
structures and organizations.
Key words: conflict, political conflict, armed conflict, “frozen conflict”,
international conflict, ethnic conflict, war, armed aggression, “hybrid war”, EU,
NATO, Russia, peacekeeping mission, conflict resolution, political agreement.