Gvozdkov S. Evolution of the U.S. Position towards the Russia's Integration Projects in the Post-Soviet Area (1991-2014).

The dissertation studies evolution of the U.S. position towards Russia's integration projects in the post-Soviet area in 1991-2014. It analyzes U.S. administrations' foreign policy priorities towards post-Soviet states, which shaped their position towards integration of the post-Soviet area. The thesis describes principal features of Russia's integration policy, Russian-centric integration projects and structures in economic, political and security spheres. It also explores the U.S. position towards both Russia's and alternative projects of post-Soviet states integration. The work determines principal differences between American and Russian visions of integration prospects with the post-Soviet states' participation. George H. W. Bush's administration supported a foundation of the Commonwealth of Independent States, but contrarily to the Russian Federation considered it as a tool for the management of the Soviet Union disintegration, not a new integration project. During Bill Clinton's presidency, the United States did not support the CIS and other Russian Federation's integration projects. Additionally, Washington warned Moscow against using integration for the revival of former Russian imperial domination in the post-Soviet area. The first George W. Bush's administration was focused on cooperation with Russia and Central Asian states, considered as vital for successful anti-terrorist military operation in Afghanistan, and did not criticize Russia's integration projects. The second George W. Bush's administration turned particular attention to democratization processes. After democratic revolutions in Ukraine and Georgia, they were determined as the key US' partners in the post-Soviet area. Washington supported their accession to NATO that was strongly opposed by Moscow. 2008 Russia's attack on Georgia demonstrated its eagerness to prevent NATO expansion on CIS area.