This paper studies the state government of Ukraine. It analyzes the key factors which have been shaping the outlook of the Ukrainian elite for over two decades of the state development. The events going on in the southeastern areas in 2014-2015 and the approaches of the present Ukrainian powers to addressing this issue are studied.

The article provides information on transboundary watercourses and international lakes of the Russian Federation. We discuss the goals and objectives of environmental monitoring. Particular attention is given to the possibilities of satellite monitoring of transboundary water bodies of the Russian Federation.

The Great Silk Road (GSR) called so in the late 19^th century by German geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen started shaping in the 2^nd century B.C. In the minds of peoples the Silk Road is a generalized symbol of trade caravan routes crossing Central Asia, connecting until the 16^th century the Far East, in particular Japan, China, with Middle Asia. Appearance in the early 21^st century of new independent states in Central Asia along the GSR route was a powerful impetus for revival of the ancient trade route. In September 2013 Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, during his visit to the Central Asian countries offered the strategic concept of joint construction of the “economic corridor along the Silk Road” based on innovative cooperation in order to revive and consolidate the economic contacts among the Eurasian countries. Establishment of the modern analog of GSR, a powerful transport and pipeline corridor includes the integrated system of railroads and automobile roads, oil and gas pipelines, airlines, and sea lines.

Gagauzia is not an independent state. The article focuses on this issue due to the dynamic development of the political situation in the Republic of Moldova and the international situation. The authors try to present the problem of the functioning of the Authority's and assess future. To do this historical digression, showing the conditions under which formed the Gagauz autonomy. The authors do historical digression and show the condition under which was formed the Gagauz autonomy. In the article are analyzed the important factors determining events in the region, the interests of external actors - the European Union, Romania, Turkey and Russia. The authors examine media reports and give political commentary about what is happening in Gagauzia, often contrasting, which can correct some erroneous, black-and-white picture of the situation.

The article considers the primary evaluation of the shale gas resource potential in Kazakhstan, as well as defines the most problematic issues for the large-scale shale gas production over the state. The authors pay special attention to the national strategy of the Kazakhstani government in the sphere of the unconventional energy sources production, defining the possible technological and environmental problems for the shale gas extraction. The article also notes that implementation of the fracking technologies in the country could cause both positive and negative effects on the economy of Kazakhstan. Therefore, further steps in this direction should be based on the meaningful and comprehensive geological data regarding the shale gas potential.

This article analyses the problems of Russian world in center of ideological and political confrontation. The author describes the models of perception of the Russian world in the West, CIS and Russia.

The article analyses the function self-management as one of institution development civil society contemporary Russia.

From the time of disintegration of the former USSR and to the present time the Black Sea fleet was and still is in the focus of interstate relationships and political struggle. This paper studies the whole range of multiple political parties and national organizations that were active on the fleet in 1917-1918 and in the Sevastopol garrison.

The article is about the current issues of the legal regime of the Arctic. The author describes the situation around the Arctic region, the role of legal regulation in the development of the Arctic.

This paper analyzes the issues related to determination of the international legal status of the Caspian Sea, the positions of the Caspian states. Special attention is focused on the geopolitical processes in the Caspian region and policy of the non-regional states.