RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA: FROM TRADITIONAL FRIENDSHIP TO NEW COOPERATION

This paper examines the evolution of relations with Russia from their origins in traditional diplomatic friendship to the multifaceted dynamics of contemporary strategic cooperation. It traces historical foundations, post–Cold War realignments, and the emergence of new defence, economic, and technological linkages. Drawing on academic literature, strategic commentary, and policy debates, the study analyzes how geopolitical pressures, elite foreign‑policy thinking, and shifting international structures shape the trajectory of bilateral engagement. The paper argues that while the relationship retains symbolic features rooted in historical solidarity, it increasingly reflects pragmatic alignments driven by security imperatives, energy interdependence, and the search