NATO-Russia Relations and Political Stability in Post-Soviet States, 2000-2024

The relationship between NATO and Russia has been a complex and often contentious issue since the end of the Cold War. The struggles for spheres of influence and control in ex-Soviet territories between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Russia have become trending issues in the contemporary global arena. In the most recent decade, NATO-Russia relations have become aggressive; both parties are at loggerheads over NATO expansion in post-Soviet states. This study examines the role of NATO-Russia relations in the political stability of post-Soviet states between 2000 and 2024. Specifically, the study ascertained whether the use of sanctions and counter-sanctions by NATO and Russia to pursue strategic objectives escalated economic crises in post-Soviet states. This study adopted the ex-post facto research design and the Power theory to analyze data generated through the documentary method. Consequently, with the aid of comparative analysis integrated within the content analysis, the study concluded that the use of sanctions and counter-sanctions by NATO and Russia to pursue strategic objectives has escalated economic crises in post-Soviet states. The study recommended that NATO-Russia relations must be based on constructive engagement instead of employing sanctions and counter-sanctions as economic weapons.