Structural transformation of the geopolitical location of the South of Russia in modern conditions

This article is characterized features of the modern geopolitical situation in Southern Russia as the union of the three federal districts in the country, based on the dynamics of political events in recent years. Among the main features of the geopolitical situation of the South of Russia the author identifies a large number of neighboring countries, frontier subjects, the proximity to breakaway state formations, seaside location, the impact on the Region of activity of international political, economic and military alliances and organizations as geopolitical actors. South of Russia appears to us as a set of three federal districts - South, North Caucasus and Crimea (formed in March 2014 after joining the Crimea Sevastopol to Russia). The area of the South of Russia - 618.4 thousand km (3.6% of the territory of Russia), the population - 26 million persons (18% of the population of Russia). Leading position in the area of the territory and population as part of the South of Russia takes the Southern Federal District. Crimean district is the smallest in the south of Russia and in the whole country. The main features of the geopolitical position of the South of Russia are as follows: 1. Localization territory of subjects the South of Russia along the border of the country. Of the 15 subjects of the South of Russia 12 subjects are located at the landlubber state border of Russia. 2. Along the borders of the South of Russia are located the breakaway state entities such as Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Lugansk and Donetsk people's republics. 3. South of Russia has a wide output in the Black Sea, Azov Sea and the Caspian Sea. The legal status of these water bodies are not fully resolved and require further negotiations 4. A significant impact on the region has interstate economic, political and military alliances and organizations. Leading positions here remain the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Eurasian Economic Union, contributing to the strengthening of integration relations in the former Soviet territory. The worrying implications has accession of Ukraine and Georgia in association with the European Union, as well as the activities of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization near the boundaries of the South of Russia 5. In the South of Russia is spread impact vectors of geopolitical development of many countries, which include this territory in the zones of its influence. The most actively pursue its policy in the region, Turkey and the United States, as geopolitical rivals Russia. 6. Was expanded area of maritime boundaries in the South of Russia at the expense of joining the Crimea. However, no direct communication by land between the Crimea and mainland of Russia is problematic factor geopolitical situation in South of Russia. In summary, it can be noted that the specificity of the geopolitical position of the South of Russia are the complexity of the localization structure, diversity and contradictions of factors influencing it, the dynamic changes. The territory of the region is in the zone of attention many states and international organizations, which in the future will facilitate actively to their impact on the development of the situation in the regions of the South of Russia. At the same time the presence of a large number of neighboring countries, placement along the border, strong territorial contingence of the South Russian subjects with neighboring countries, including the breakaway territories, wide access to the seas will contribute to strengthening of the transit potential of the geopolitical situation in the region in the implementation of foreign policy and economic relations with other regions.

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