Geopolitical Drivers of Russia's Military Intervention in Ukraine

This article addresses the necessity of re-evaluating the drivers behind Russia's 2022 military intervention in Ukraine in the context of a realistic approach. The central research question investigates the primary drivers of Russia's intervention, with a research hypothesis emphasizing the role of geopolitical factors. Drawing on John J. Mearsheimer's Offensive Realism theory, this study contends that the security dilemma within the international system places significant emphasis on geopolitical security concerns, which in turn shape Russia's military intervention policy. Through a qualitative research methodology, the findings reveal that the geopolitical drivers of Russia's intervention in Ukraine encompass several key facets: safeguarding national security, promoting imperialist nationalism and supporting the Russian diaspora, consolidating Russian hegemony in the post-Soviet Eurasia region, and seeking recognition of Russia's great power status within the international system. The significance of this research lies in its elucidation of the hierarchical positioning of these geopolitical drivers within Russia's security priorities. Furthermore, the study recognizes the overarching influence of Russia's great power status, which serves as a geopolitical umbrella that binds together the other components. Within the context of this study, geopolitical drivers refer to the key factors related to geopolitical security concerns that motivate Russia's military intervention in Ukraine.