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Abstract

This research study analyzes Putin's leadership and its efforts for Russian resurgence as a great power. In its desire to achieve its great power status back; Russia has formed a more assertive foreign policy. Hence, it deemed necessary for Russian policymakers to re-Sovietize its former republics gain its desired objectives. Ukraine appears to be an important state for the contemporary grand strategy of the Russian Federation. The annexation of Crimea in 2014, have certain key drivers, such as the large ethnic Russian population with the real grievances that had created instability, which made Russia step in and intervene. Putin desired to enhance Russia’s international stature and deterring Western involvement in its sphere of influence. Russia's foreign policy goals under Putin have been formulated upon the military adventures of the country, especially in its near abroad to engage the post soviet periphery in geo-economic and geopolitical ties with the Russian Federation. Putin seems determined to achieve a central position for Russia by using his political ideology and leadership as a source of his vertical power to affluence in the new geostrategic and economic pole of Eurasia. This study highlights Putin's keen interest in the former republic of Ukraine that holds a vital position that escalated after annexing Crimea while considering Ukraine's importance in the geopolitics of Eurasia simultaneously.