Political and legal support of ensuring security and sustainable development of CIS member countries

Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg 195251, Russia

^* Corresponding author: skinx@inbox.lv

Abstract

CIS member countries are interconnected by both historical, cultural and economic components. Russia and China, as two global actors, influence the economic situation and security in the CIS. The purpose of the paper is to identify the dependence of the CIS member countries on Russia and China, as well as to identify dependence of the economic development of the member states on import of armaments. Applying a regional approach, as well as analyzing economic indicators, supplies of weapons and presence of the military industrial complex production and service enterprises, we can define Belarus and Kazakhstan as the states with the largest share of foreign (Russian and Chinese) investments and weapons in their home markets. The Russian Federation stands out in the general context of dominance throughout the CIS. There are also Russian geopolitical interests, which include protection of external borders by ensuring security and stability in the member states bordering third countries. Chinese interests are focused mainly in the border area, namely, Chinese interests in Central Asia. The growing influence of global actors in the region, which is ensured through their investments in industry, military supplies and setting up new production complexes, establishes an ever closer relationship among the nations of the region. Thus, such an influence may lead certain CIS member countries to closer integration with China and Russia in the future, namely, to create bilateral alliances with a higher degree of dependence on global actors in comparison with other CIS member countries.