Vestnik RUDN. International RelationsVestnik RUDN. International Relations2313-06602313-0679федеральное государственное автономное образовательное учреждение высшего образования «Российский университет дружбы народов имени Патриса Лумумбы» (РУДН)10680Research ArticleUkraine in Western Geopolitical ConceptsKurylevK PTheory and History of International Relations Chairkuryljov@yandex.ruPeoples’ Friendship University of Russia150420134203109092016Copyright © 2013, Kurylev K.P.2013The article investigates the main geopolitical approaches of the Western researchers to the Ukraine. The author draws attention to their contradictory assessments of the Ukraine. On the one hand, the Western analysts attach great significance to this state due to its unique location. On the other hand, such location is regarded as insecurity and a kind of hindrance for being any important political actor. The Western geopolitics consider Ukraine not as an independent geopolitical unit with its own foreign policy interests, but only as an object for increasing pressure on Russia.UkraineRussiaEuropeEurasiageopoliticsnational interestsforeign policyinternational relationsУкраинаРоссияЕвропаЕвразиягеополитиканациональные интересывнешняя политикамеждународные отношения