Ukraina, ett land som står emellan två världar : Realistiskt och liberalistiskt perspektiv på Rysslands och EU:s ställning gentemot Ukrainakrisen. En kvalitativ jämförande fallstudie.

Sammanfattning: This thesis is a qualitative comparative case study aimed at exploring the viewpoints of two opposing international relations perspectives, realism and liberalism. The aim is to pursue an interpretation of the study through the use of theories. Realism focuses on state security, military power and the survival of the state. Liberalism reflects on the worldviews, identity and ideas. The theories present four main principles in each theory of the conflict and the contradictions between the theory’s point of view give the study a deeper interpretation of Russia’s and EU’s position in the Ukraine conflict.   The study has shown that both Russia and the EU have potential explanations in terms of IR-theories. Realism and liberalism complement each other, showing that the positions of Russia and the EU are equal and different, which shows similarities and differences in theory. These two perspectives provide explanations for the Ukrainian crisis from two different levels. Realism provides the main explanation at the individual level and the individual actors and liberalism provides the main explanation at the general level and on the international arena.