Today, tense diplomatic relations between Russia and Ukraine. Once fraternal countries are actively folding all agreements among themselves. From the Ukrainian side there are constant accusations of aggression from Russia. Politicians talked about curtailing diplomatic relations. Many citizens do not quite understand what the consequences of this will be. We will try to make out what the rupture of diplomatic relations between countries means. Which states do not support the relationship and why, find out in the article.
Breaking Diplomatic Relations: Reasons
First, what are the reasons. The main ones in international politics are:
- Military, economic or other support of hostile states. An example is the country in the post-Soviet space. Azerbaijan and Armenia are in conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. Belarus and Kazakhstan officially support Azerbaijan in this confrontation. All this leads to curtailing diplomatic relations between them and Armenia. The matter, most likely, will not reach a complete break, since countries are united by obligations under the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Customs Union.
- Violent change of political regime. For example, the events on Maidan led to the overthrow of incumbent President Yanukovych. It is with these events that the cooling between Ukraine and Russia is associated.
- Division or unification of the country. An example is the partition of Korea into the Republic of Korea (South) and the DPRK (North). Surprisingly, small and proud Estonia still does not recognize the DPRK as a state. It is not clear how this fact affects the lives of North Koreans.
- Military clashes in the past. As an example, the same DPRK and the United States. Few people know, but our country is still at war with Japan.
- Change of ideology. For example, Cuba after the revolution severed all relations with the United States.
- Territorial claims. For example, a similar relationship occurred between England and Argentina because of the Falkland Islands.
The reasons may be different. It is important to know the consequences of breaking up diplomatic relations. This will be discussed later.
Effects
So, two states “quarreled”. We list the consequences of the severance of diplomatic relations:
- Mandatory recall of a diplomatic mission.
- The gap of all previously reached agreements.
- The impossibility of concluding economic, political international treaties.
- Lack of direct contact between governments.
The gap does not mean war
It is difficult to predict what the rupture of diplomatic relations in a given situation will lead to, but this does not mean that countries are at war. In addition, the gap does not lead to military conflicts, as it was before. The world is global, in it there are more than two hundred independent countries. What does breaking diplomatic relations between countries mean? It depends on specific examples.
The relationship between Russia and Ukraine
For example, take the deterioration in relations between Russia and Ukraine. The accession of the latter to the European Association automatically means a break in trade relations between our countries. This is understandable, Ukrainian goods have customs privileges in Russia. The opening of borders to European goods will lead to them pouring into Russia without any restrictions. We are not ready for this yet. Our technical capabilities do not allow today to compete with European products, even in the domestic market.
The situation between Ukraine and Russia was aggravated by Euromaidan and, as a result, the overthrow of the legitimate President Yanukovych. The new government proclaimed anti-Russian rhetoric.
If everything continues in the same vein, the answer to the question of what means the severance of diplomatic relations with Russia will be: nothing, since negative consequences will come without it. However, there are situations where economically countries continue to be partners. Let's look at some examples.
The gap is the end of the partnership?
Now about what the rupture of diplomatic relations between countries means from an economic point of view. States may not communicate directly with each other, but they may cooperate with the mediation of third countries. This is reminiscent of a childhood quarrel in a company when two friends stop talking to each other, but don't stop talking with a third friend. As a result, they begin to "talk" through a third comrade. It’s about the same with states. They cease to contact directly with each other, but there are intermediaries who earn on this.
An example is coal deals between Russia and Ukraine. Russia bought coal in the Donbass and resold it to Ukraine. Kiev could not buy minerals directly from Donetsk, as this would mean official recognition. But it also cannot refuse coal, it will jeopardize energy security. Kiev authorities recently announced that they will soon abandon the Donbass coal and will buy it from South Africa. We will not draw political and economic conclusions; it is important for us to understand what the rupture of diplomatic relations in practice means.
Similar breaks happen often. Previously, this was connected with the division of the world into two systems: capitalist and socialist. The revolution and regime change in a single country completely led to the breakdown of all agreements with many countries. An example is Cuba, Iran, Vietnam, China, etc. However, there were exceptions.
Recognized - become an enemy
In international politics, the severance of diplomatic relations is associated with the constant territorial claims of some countries against others. Often suffer from this third state, which have nothing to do with the problem.
A vivid example is the conflict between Senegal and Taiwan. It all started in 2005, when Senegal signed an agreement with China, while simultaneously recognizing that Taiwan is Chinese territory. In response, Taiwan froze all financial projects in the field of irrigation, agriculture, healthcare, and education. Senegal responded with countermeasures.
This example shows that a third country, which has nothing to do with the conflict, was artificially drawn into it. Similar cases occur frequently. In recent years, disputed territories have only increased: Kosovo, Crimea, Abkhazia, South Ossetia. Diplomatic recognition of Crimea as part of our country will automatically lead to a breakdown in relations with Ukraine, recognition of Abkhazia as an independent republic will immediately lead to protest from Georgia. The territorial “redistribution” involuntarily draws other countries into the conflict. It’s impossible to stand aside. Many on this lost not only political points, but also multimillion-dollar economic contracts. And if everything is more or less defined with “frozen” disputes, then new conflicts are a real challenge to international diplomacy.
Rupture of relations between the USSR and Albania
A unique case occurred in 1961. Little and proud Albania began to make claims of the USSR regarding the exposure of the Stalin personality cult. Khrushchev reacted to this by breaking up diplomatic relations. The Soviet embassy was recalled from Tirana, and the Albanian one from Moscow. Until 1990, Soviet citizens forgot that there is such a socialist country as Albania. There was not a single word about her in the media. Only in 1990 did the countries reconcile, although the Soviet government tried to do this earlier, in 1964.
International convention
What does breaking diplomatic relations mean in terms of international law? The main document reflecting the provisions is the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Key points:
- The state in whose territory the diplomatic mission is located, in the event of a breakdown in relations, must ensure the safety of the departure of diplomats and members of their families.
- Guarantee the integrity and integrity of the consulate (extraterritorial right). Curiously, such a mission is entrusted to the state even in the event of a full-scale war.
- In the event of a breakdown, international treaties must be implemented. This rule is almost never respected.
The gap in diplomatic relations: the significance and consequences of the folding of the consulate
It is a mistake to say that the recall of the embassy is a trifle measure. This is actually not the case. The functions of the consulate are extensive:
- Legalization of official documents.
- The function of the registry office for immigrants who do not have citizenship in the host country.
- Issuance or extension of the term of passports.
- Issuing a visa for citizens of the country in which the consulate is located.
- Notary functions.
- Legal advice, representation in court, etc.
In fact, the functions of the consulate are extensive. What will the severance of diplomatic relations mean? First of all, it will negatively affect ordinary citizens. A “native” consulate is sometimes the only hope for citizens who find themselves in a difficult situation in a foreign country. In addition, the diplomatic mission issues visas and entry permits. If there is a visa regime between countries, then the consulate is the only tool for migrant workers and tourists.
