THE FIRST EUROPEAN WAR OF THE THIRD MILLENNIUM: PROLOGUE OR EPILOGUE? (political notes on the Russian-Ukrainian war of 2014-2022)

The article examines the course and consequences of the first (and so far only) European war of the new century - Russian-Ukrainian in the time interval of 2014-2022. The main definitions of this war, which does not have a single meaningful interpretation on the part of the scientific, information-analytical and mass media community, are given. The main international and institutional consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war are detailed. The conclusion is formulated that security structures of the XX century are inefficient regulators of armed and force interstate relations of the 21st century. Some geoeconomic and geopolitical consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine are revealed. The new accents of NATO development, new dimensions of the geopolitical behavior of China and Turkey, a new vision on the security prospects of humanity on the part of English-speaking countries, primarily Great Britain and the United States, are detailed. The uncertainty of the future of the Russian Federation, which is at a crossroads of sorts, is emphasized. It is emphasized that the consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war, in view of their scale and global security and political resonance, will have increased importance for the affirmation of a new system of international relations, the formation of which will take place with the participation of Ukraine. In general, it is proven that the world has irreversibly entered a new phase (epoch) of development, which denies the logic, rationality, experience, and legal basis of past historical periods.