Eastern Europe as a Strategic Frontier: Geopolitical Transformation, Security Reconfiguration, and Power Competition in the 21st Century

Abstract

The strategic significance of Eastern Europe has undergone a profound transformation in the early twenty-first century, evolving from a peripheral geopolitical space into a central arena of great power competition. This study critically examines the region’s reconfiguration in the context of shifting global power dynamics, with particular attention to the consequences of the Russia–Ukraine War. Drawing on theories from International Relations including realism, constructivism, and geopolitical theory the research analyzes how Eastern European [i]states have transitioned from buffer zones to strategic actors within the security architecture of NATO and the political framework of the European Union. The study employs a qualitative methodology based on policy analysis, elite discourse, and regional case studies, focusing on key states such as Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic States. It explores three interrelated dimensions: (1) the militarization and securitization of the region amid renewed deterrence strategies; (2) the consolidation of Eastern Europe as an energy and logistical corridor reducing dependence on Russia; and (3) the region’s role in mediating broader systemic rivalry between the United States and China. The findings suggest that Eastern Europe is no longer merely an object of great power politics but an active geopolitical subject shaping alliance cohesion, defense postures, and normative agendas within Euro-Atlantic institutions. Furthermore, the region’s growing agency contributes to the emergence of a more fragmented and contested international order. By situating Eastern Europe at the intersection of regional security and global power transitions, this study advances the argument that the region constitutes a strategic frontier whose importance will continue to expand in the evolving multipolar system.

Keywords: Strategic Position, Russia-Ukraine Dispute, Europe, Securitization and Weapon War