Historical and legal announcement of the formation of supranational military-political unions in a multipolar world

Анотація

The purpose of this work is to research the historical and legal aspects of the formation of supranational military-political unions in a multipolar world, focusing on the concept of the Baltic-Black Sea Axis. The authors analyze the idea of the Baltic-Black Sea Axis as a geopolitical union that envisages cooperation between countries from the Baltic to the Black Sea and adjacent regions. It is noted that attempts to create similar international organizations have been discussed for over 100 years, but they rarely take on the character of full-fledged “unions” or “alliances”.

The paper traces the development of the idea from the medieval route “from the Varangians to the Greeks”, associations with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and the “Polish-Lithuanian-Ruthenian Commonwealth” project. The development of the concept intensified in the late 19th – early 20th century, especially after the First World War, when “borderland states” sought ways to defend national interests. Initiatives of Finnish and Estonian diplomats, as well as Ukrainian figures such as Julian Bachynsky, Mykola Mikhnovsky, Mykhailo Hrushevsky, and Symon Petliura, are highlighted. Particular attention is paid to the Bulduri Conference of 1920, which, despite a developed program for a defense and economic union, did not lead to its full implementation due to “insurmountable differences”.

The Polish “Intermarium” project of Józef Piłsudski is also considered, which, although ambitious, faced fears of imperialism and Polonization from neighboring states. The authors emphasize that the idea of a Baltic-Black Sea Union gained “a second wind” after the collapse of the USSR, mentioning initiatives by the presidents of Ukraine and Poland.

The study identifies potential advantages of creating such a union: geostrategic location, economic complementarity, and shared historical and cultural ties. It is emphasized that such an association could neutralize Russia’s influence, integrate Eastern and Western Europe on democratic principles, and create a powerful Eastern European center of political influence within the EU. The economic potential of such a union is estimated as significant, with a combined GDP that could exceed Russia’s GDP, placing the union among the top ten global economies. Specific infrastructure and energy projects that could strengthen cooperation in the region are discussed.