TTLV: Russia-Ukraine relations 2014-2020

1. Student's full name: Nguyen Ba Tai. 2. Gender: Male.

3. Date of birth: May 1, 1990.

4. Place of birth: Hoa Binh City, Hoa Binh Province.

5. Decision No. 3617/2018/QD-XHNV dated December 4, 2018, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, recognizing the student.

6. Changes in the training process: None.

7. Thesis title: Russia-Ukraine relations during the period 2014-2020.

8. Major:International Relations; Code: 8310601.01

9. Scientific supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen An Ha - Institute of European Studies, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.

10. Summary of the thesis results:

The thesis has clarified the close historical relationship between Russia and Ukraine, from their shared origins in the ancient Russo state to their modern status as Soviet republics, closely bound together by a common communist ideology. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the US and its Western allies continued to increase their influence, intervention, and attempts to draw Eastern European countries, especially Ukraine – a country of particular importance to Russia. Ukraine's gradual withdrawal from Russian influence and its orientation towards joining the EU and NATO strained Russia-Ukraine relations, culminating in the crisis of 2014.

This thesis has contributed to clarifying the current state of Russia-Ukraine relations from 2014 to the present, encompassing all aspects: political-diplomatic, security-defense, economic-trade, cultural, and social… which have consistently been characterized by confrontation and conflict. Although relations between Russia and Ukraine have seen some positive changes since Ukrainian President V. Zelensky came to power, the outlook for bilateral relations until around 2030 is still not expected to see any breakthrough changes.

This thesis assesses the current state of tension in Russia-Ukraine relations and how it has affected the planning and implementation of policies in each country, as well as its impact on the regional and international situation, including Vietnam. Based on the prospects of Russia-Ukraine relations and these impacts, the thesis offers several recommendations for the implementation of foreign policy in international relations in general, and for Russia and Ukraine in particular, for Vietnam in the coming period.

11. Practical applications: Vietnamese Party and State agencies, research institutions, and universities can refer to the content of this thesis to gain a broader perspective on the relationship between Russia and Ukraine in particular, the strategic competition for influence between Russia and the US and the West in general, and its impact on the world and Vietnam.

12. Future research directions: I will continue to delve deeper into the competitive activities and strategic friction between major powers, especially between Russia and the United States and Western countries in the coming period, and propose countermeasures for Vietnam.

13. Published works related to the thesis:

- Nguyen Ba Tai (2019), “Russia’s Foreign Policy in 2019”,People's Public Security World Overview Magazine - Special Issue "Closing a Decade of Turmoil", pp. 17-18, No. 153 (December 2019). (ISSN 0866 - 7446)./.

1. Full name: Nguyen Ba Tai 2. Sex: Male.

3. Date of birth: May 1, 1990.

4. Place of birth: Hoa Binh

5. Admission decision number: 3617/2018/QD-XHNV dated December 4, 2018.

6. Changes in academic process: No.

7. Official thesis title: Russia - Ukraine relations between 2014 - 2020.

8. Major:International Relations9. Code: 8310601.01

10. Supervisor: Assoc.Prof. Dr. Nguyen An Ha, Institute for European Studies – Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.

11. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

The thesis clarifies close historical relationship between Russia and Ukraine, from mutual origin of ancient Rut nation to Soviet Union membership in morden period, the two countries also share common basis of communist ideology. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the US and its allies continued to improve their influence, interfere and entice Eastern European countries, among which Ukraine played a very important geographic position and (political) role to Russia. Russia - Ukraine relationship has become tense, especially the 2014 conflict, as the result of Ukraine's tendency to escape the Russian orbit and join the NATO.

The thesis contributes to clarify the current confrontation and conflict of the relationship between Russia and Ukraine from 2014 in terms of politics and diplomacy, national security and defense, commerce and economy, society and culture. Russia - Ukraine has had positive changes after V. Zelensky was favored relationship President of Ukraine, however, the relationship between the two countries until 2030 has not been expected to have prospect of breakthrough changes.

The thesis asses the effects of Russia - Ukraine tension on the planning and implementation of strategies of each country as well as to the regional and international situation including Vietnam. The thesis gives recommendations for the implementation of Vietnam's foreign policy towards each Russia and Ukraine in the coming time.

12. Practical applicability:

Party, State, research agencies and universities of Vietnam can refer the thesis to have an insight into Russia - Ukraine relationship in particular and strategic competition between Russia and the US and Western countries in general and its effects on Vietnam and the world.

13. Further research directions:

Further work includes strategic competition and friction between major powers, especially between Russia and the US and Western countries in the coming time and policy recommendations to Vietnam.

14. Thesis-related publications:

- Nguyen Ba Tai (2019), “Russian foreign policy 2019”, Panoramic World Magazine of Ministry of Public Security - Topic “Shut a decade of turmoil”, pg 17-18, VOL.153 (December 2019). (ISSN 0866-7446)./.