Near abroad

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 'near abroad' (Russian: ближнее зарубежье, blizhneye zarubezhye) is a term used by Russian foreign policy to describe the Post-Soviet states (except Russia itself).

The term is used since the early 1990s, usually to assert Russia's right to have major influence in the region. [1] [2] For instance, president Vladimir Putin has declared the region Russia's "sphere of influence", and strategically vital for Russia. [3]

The region includes Baltic states which chose not to join any post-soviet political organization and achieved NATO and European Union membership instead, and several countries in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ WILLIAM SAFIRE (1994-05-22). ON LANGUAGE; The Near Abroad. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-04-18.
  2. ^ Robert Kagan (2008-02-06). New Europe, Old Russia. The Washington Post. Retrieved on 2008-04-18.
  3. ^ STEVEN ERLANGER (2001-02-25). The World; Learning to Fear Putin's Gaze. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-04-18.
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