The USSR and the Former Italian Colonies, 1945–50

Author: Mazov Sergei  

Publisher: Routledge Ltd

ISSN: 1468-2745

Source: Cold War History, Vol.3, Iss.3, 2003-04, pp. : 49-78

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Abstract

This article studies the motives determining Soviet leadership's actions concerning the former Italian colonies. Analyzing the body of documents from the Archive of Russian Foreign Policy (the Foreign Ministry Archive), the author came to the conclusion that Realpolitik imperatives clearly dominated ideological considerations on this issue. The architects of the Soviet foreign policy were interested in the geostrategic position of Libya, Somalia and Eritrea, rather than in the prospects for revolutionary development there. Soviet diplomacy showed remarkable persistence and flexibility (the official position was changed four times), trying to achieve a Soviet presence in the Mediterranean – a traditional priority region of Russian geopolitical aspirations.