Abstract: This article is dedicated to the examination of the effect of sociocultural foundations upon the pace and character of the relationship between the countries. The key place in this work belongs to the role of theoretical grounds and practical aspects of sociocultural foundations of the relations between Russia and the European Union. It is demonstrated that currently the culture is the pivotal element within the integral system of the European Union, as well as its relations with Russia. Analyzing the impact of the culture upon the establishment and maintenance of Russia-European Union relations, the author underlines that the cultural diplomacy along with the establishment of cultural ties are the most efficient instruments in the modern world politics. The relevance of this research is substantiated by the presence of a serious crisis in Russia-European Union relations. Elucidating and comparing the possible vectors of development of Russian policy, the author underlines that there are no realistic alternatives to the Russia-European Union cooperation, and the betterment of relations between them can form upon creation and advancement of a common Russian – European sociocultural space.

Abstract: This article is dedicated to examination of hoe the modern codified legal system of the state of Romano-Germanic legal family correlates with the case law system of Great Britain. The author analyzes some common and distinct aspects of Anglo-Saxon and Romano-Germanic legal systems, as well as studies the shared experience and means that helped both systems to reach similar solutions for mutual problems. Comparative analysis of the corresponding legal systems is conducted with consideration of the current United Kingdom’s membership in the European Union, as well as the future Brexit. The article starts with the description of issues of the current legal space of the European Union, and then analyzes the core of the differences between Anglo-Saxon and Romano-Germanic legal systems. Relevance of this research is substantiated by the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. The author also explores the problems both sides are facing as a result of Brexit. For many years, the European Union assisted the convergence of Anglo-Saxon and Romano-Germanic law. However, currently Brexit leaves Ireland and Cyprus as the only two countries with Anglo-Saxon legal system in the European Union, which in turn, can lead gravitate the EU legislation towards Romano-Germanic legal family, with low consideration of the principle of Anglo-Saxon system of law.

Abstract: This article examines the questions of the impact of sociocultural grounds upon international relations, particularly the relationship between Russia and the European Union. The author considers the effect of cultural-value orientations upon establishing the relationship between the actors of world politics; reveals that in modern world the most effective instrument of international relations is the establishment of cultural links between the countries; demonstrates how the cultural diplomacy and extensive cultural connections between the countries assist the formation of a positive image of the corresponding countries, decrease the level of conflicts between the interacting state, as well as contribute to the mutual understanding between the nations. The article traces a brief history of the emergence of EU alongside the history of its relations with Russia. The author reveals and compares the potential paths of development of Russia’s politics, as well as underlines that Russia has no actual alternatives to its cooperation with the European Union. Relevance of this research is substantiate by the presence of severe problems in modern relation between the Russian Federation and the European Union. Examination of the sociocultural grounds of EU-Russian relations allows finding the ways for settling the existing conflicts. At the present time, the key method of possible resolution of the conflict between the Russian Federation and the European Union lies in the establishment of cultural connections that in future can result in formation of the common sociocultural Russia-European space.

Abstract:  
The goal of this work consists in description of the key conceptual positions of just war in the works of H. Grotius, Michael Walzer and Hadley Bull. The author comes to a conclusion that M. Walzer and H. Bull share the idea of H. Grotius on the necessity of the rules for war, law and right to war, and thus counterpose themselves to both, the Hobbesian (political realism) and Kantian (liberalism in the theory of international relations) traditions. However, H. Bull cannot be unambiguously considered the supporter of the just war concept, due to the fact that there is no clarity in understanding of which criteria must obtain the just war. Thus, the lack of unity among the authors regarding the criteria of just war is the important issue for the theory. The article examines the history of emergence and evolution of the just war concept in the works of different scholars; determines the key moments in the works of Michael Walzer; demonstrates the evolution of just war concept in the ideas of English school and its founder Hadley Bull. Despite the expectations of such thinkers as Francis Fukuyama about the end of history, the wars around the world have not stopped, whether it is war in Iraq, Syria, or Ukraine. Each party involved in the conflict claims its fairness, which makes the topic of just war especially relevant at present time.