2025 Issue №4

The article presents the results of a political science analysis of the relationship between cybersecurity and Russia’s information sovereignty, with a focus on the role of domestic digi­tal technologies in ensuring national security. Theoretical approaches to the concept of infor­mation sovereignty are outlined, along with key cybersecurity challenges facing Russia in the context of global threats, as well as the importance of developing indigenous technologies and infrastructure to maintain the state’s digital sovereignty. The contemporary legislative and institutional framework of cybersecurity in the Russian Federation is examined, including doctrinal documents and laws aimed at protecting critical information infrastructure and strengthening “digital borders.” Particular attention is paid to the geopolitical dimension of the issue—Russia’s cooperation with other states in the field of international information security and conflicts of interest in global cyberspace. The article substantiates the conclusion that strengthening cyber defense and achieving information sovereignty require a comprehen­sive approach that combines technological development, effective regulation, and international cooperation, while simultaneously ensuring the independence of the national digital space.

The study examines a model of relations with the European Union referred to as “de facto membership.” The high relevance of this format of interaction stems from the challenges cur­rently facing the EU, in particular issues related to its international actorness, as well as a number of EU initiatives aimed at establishing more flexible forms of cooperation, including in the field of foreign policy. The concept complements existing formats of differentiated inte­gration and external differentiation in cooperation with the European Union. The purpose of the study is to expand existing concepts of cooperation with the EU that go beyond standard de jure membership. Event analysis and comparative analysis were employed as the main research methods. As a result, the study identifies key elements of de facto membership, in­cluding alignment of foreign policy, conditionality of integration, the significance of the ener­gy component in economic interaction, independent initiatives by third countries to incorpo­rate the acquis communautaire into domestic legislation, the importance of a shared cultural identity, as well as quantitative indicators—namely, the orientation of more than 50 % of a country’s foreign trade toward the European market and the implementation of over 50 % of EU legal acts into national law. A comparative analysis is provided of Switzerland as a repre­sentative case of de facto membership and the United Arab Emirates as a country currently only negotiating a free trade agreement with the EU. The study substantiates the conclusion that the EU leadership prioritizes the political dimension of the de facto membership model in its relations with third countries, often at the risk of undermining further cooperation.