რუსეთ-ბელარუსის ურთიერთობები XXI საუკუნეში

This thesis examines Russia-Belarus relations in the 21st century. It attempts to demonstrate what has changed in relations between these two countries and to identify causes behind these changes. Research is mainly focused on cooperation in fields of military and security policy and energy policy. The thesis shows that change in foreign policy of Belarus aimed at reducing dependence on Russia is caused by growing perception of Moscow as a source of threat for Belarus and by reduced material support from Moscow to Minsk.
The topic is currently relevant firstly, because of Belarus’s role as a transit country of Russian hydrocarbon resources to European markets. Secondly, both Belarus’s importance as an actor of international relations and importance of Russia-Belarus relations is currently elevated due to on-going conflict in Ukraine.
The research question of this thesis is: Why did Russia-Belarus relations change in the 21st century? Research hypothesis is that reduced material support from Russia and threats originated from the conflict in Ukraine caused Belarus to change its foreign policy in search of more autonomy.
The dissertation uses qualitative research methods, namely content analysis and process-tracing.
Balance of threat theory is used as a theoretical framework. The research proves the viability of the presented hypothesis.