Title: Russia's Imperial Endeavor and Its Geopolitical Consequences
Abstract: The Russian economic reform, devised by Yegor Gaidar and his colleagues, is launched.The "shock therapy, " following the Polish model, is designed to liberalize prices and trade, to prepare and launch privatization, and to restore macroeconomic balance.One of the results of the reforms is an annual inflation rate over 2,600%.• December 12, 1993: A referendum is held on Russia's new constitution.At the same time, the State Duma and the Federal Council-the lower and upper chambers of the new bicameral parliament, the Federal Assembly-are elected.This is the first parliamentary election in Russian history that is not only multiparty, but also universal, equal, direct, and secret.• December 5, 1994: The Presidents of Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the Prime Minister of Great Britain sign the Budapest Memorandum.In return for Kyiv's renunciation of its nuclear weapons, the powers guarantee the inviolability of Ukraine's borders, its territorial integrity, and sovereignty.This is the second international agreement in which Moscow guarantees respect for Ukraine's borders.• December 11, 1994: The first Chechen war begins.The conflict is brought to an end with the signing of the Khasavyurt Agreement on August 31, 1996.• December 17, 1995: Duma elections are held.The Communists have the largest faction, but they control only just over a third of the seats, so they pose no real threat to the political will of the President.• June 16, 1996: Presidential elections are held with no winner emerging in the first round.In the second round, held on July 3, Boris Yeltsin wins by a significant margin (53.82%) over the Communist candidate, Gennady Zyuganov (40.31%).• May 31, 1997: The Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Partnership between Russia and Ukraine is signed.Clause 2 of the Treaty reiterates that the Parties shall respect each other's borders, territorial integrity, and sovereignty.This is Russia's third such guarantee.• August 17, 1998: Prime Minister Sergei Kiriyenko announces that the state is unable to pay the equivalent value of maturing short-term government bonds.Payments are suspended for three months.A week after the announcement, Yeltsin dismisses Kiriyenko, but his nominee is