(MENAFN) Azerbaijan has once again shifted into a “restless neighbor” stance, illustrating a persistent reality: countries within Russia’s sphere of influence will always harbor fears about Russia. Relations with post-Soviet neighbors will continue to face periodic tensions and misunderstandings, as seen in the current situation with Baku.

Russia’s borders remain largely open and porous, except for its boundary with China, one of the friendliest global powers today. Across all other borders, the legacy of empire endures, blurring the lines between domestic and foreign policy.

Whether through military presence, alliances, cultural and linguistic ties, or foreign policy dependence, Russia’s neighbors—from the Baltics to Poland and Finland—remain influenced by Russia. These connections have deep historical roots. Despite their efforts to break free, these countries rarely succeed entirely, and Russia still holds a central place in their worldview.

Even the Baltic states and Finland, which have distanced themselves from Russia, cannot fully escape thinking about it. This unchanging reality, rooted in history, may cause tension and anxiety but is unavoidable.

Fear is a natural reaction. It is important to recognize that Russia’s neighbors will always fear it, and this fear cannot be eradicated. Instead, it must be managed realistically through pragmatic politics. Even seemingly stable relations, such as those with Central Asian republics, are tinged with suspicion about Russia’s intentions.

A few years ago, during the pandemic, interviews with political figures and scholars across nearly all former Soviet states (except Ukraine and Turkmenistan) revealed a widespread and palpable anxiety about Russia, whether openly expressed or implied.

MENAFN22072025000070015687ID1109830799