&quot;An Examination of the Tension-Causing Factors Between Russia and Ukraine within the Framework of Russia&#039;s Security Documents”

Mrhosseini, Seyed Mohsen; Emran, Said Hussain

doi:10.22034/igq.2026.520192.2035

"An Examination of the Tension-Causing Factors Between Russia and Ukraine within the Framework of Russia's Security Documents”

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Seyed Mohsen Mrhosseini ¹

Said Hussain Emran ²

¹ Yazd University, Yazd, Iran

² Yazd University, Yazd. Iran

10.22034/igq.2026.520192.2035

Abstract

The military invasion of Ukraine by Russia on February 24, 2022, represents a critical geopolitical challenge of the contemporary era. This study aims to identify and explain the underlying factors of the tensions between Russia and Ukraine, as articulated in the key security documents of the Russian Federation: the National Security Strategy [1], the Military Doctrine [2], and the Foreign Policy Concept [3].

The research methodology is based on a qualitative content analysis of these official documents and complementary library resources. The findings reveal that the tensions stem from three primary factors: Russia's desire to revive the concept of "Russkiy Mir" (Russian World) to maintain cultural and ethnic influence in neighboring regions, its pursuit of a multipolar world order to reduce Western dominance, and its growing apprehension over NATO's eastward expansion, which it perceives as a direct threat to its borders.

This research concludes that these tensions are rooted in Russia's structural security outlook, and their persistence is dependent on further developments in the country's broader policies.

Keywords

NATO'

s Eastward Expansion, Russia,, Russian World, Security Documents, Ukraine

Subjects