Ukraine and Russia: An Evolving Marriage of Inconvenience.

GEOPOLITICS; INTERNATIONAL relations, 1989-; UKRAINIAN foreign relations, 1991-; RUSSIAN foreign relations, 1991-; KUCHMA, L. D. (Leonid Danylovych), 1938-; PUTIN, Vladimir Vladimirovich, 1952-; SEPTEMBER 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001

UKRAINE; RUSSIA

The article discusses the strategic partnership between Ukraine and Russia. After Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin ascended to the Russian presidency in 2000, he set out to reestablish Russia's influence in the near abroad, protecting its military, economic and political interests. The problems between the two encompassed a wide range of economic, military, political, and humanitarian concerns, fuel being the most important. As an aftermath of 9/11 terrorists attacks the relations between Russia and the U.S. warmed isolating Ukraine from the West. To fill this gap Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma turned to his friend Putin, who recognized the opportunity to strengthen Russia's position in Ukraine.