The Caspian region as a sphere of realization of the national interests of the Russian Federation: a political and legal analysis

Abstract

In the context of the transformation of international relations and increasing sanctions pressure, the Caspian region acquires strategic importance for the Russian Federation. The relevance of the study is due to the need to rethink the role of the Caspian Sea not only as a resource base but also as a key node of the Eurasian transport and logistics architecture and a space of regional security. The purpose of the article is to identify key trends in the formation of the international legal regime of the Caspian Sea and the specifics of implementing Russia's national interests in the fields of transport, energy, and security. The study is based on a qualitative analysis of strategic documents of the Russian Federation (National Security Strategy, Foreign Policy Concept) and international legal acts. Institutional and comparative political analysis of the strategies of the Caspian states was applied, as well as a structural-functional approach to assess the potential of the INSTC (North-South Corridor). It has been established that the Convention of 2018 formed a unique legal regime that excludes non-regional military presence. It is shown that the interaction between Russia and Iran is becoming a driver for the development of alternative logistics routes. Risks associated with attempts by external actors to influence regional stability through «soft power» tools have been identified. It is concluded that the Caspian region is transforming from a peripheral zone into a system-forming element of Greater Eurasia. The prospects of Russian policy are linked to deepening infrastructural integration and strengthening collective security mechanisms, which requires a comprehensive approach to the development of border territories.