Russia under Putin in the Eastern Mediterranean: The Soviet Legacy, Flexibility, and New Dynamics
Journal: Comparative Southeast European Studies
Year: 2022

Abstract Russia has become an important player in the Eastern Mediterranean during the presidency of Vladimir Putin, setting up a military presence in the Crimea, South Caucasus, Syria as well as naval facilities in the Mediterranean. Moscow deepened its bilateral relations with NATO members Greece, France and particularly Turkey and has been able to profit from the new dynamics that have emerged in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region. Russian policy towards the Eastern Mediterranean has