«The Mediating Role of Small States in Resolving Contemporary International Conflicts»
Students Name: Dumych Roksolana Andriivna
Qualification Level: magister
Speciality: International Relations
Institute: Institute of the Humanities and Social Sciences
Mode of Study: full
Academic Year: 2025-2026 н.р.
Language of Defence: ukrainian
Abstract: The modern system of international relations is characterized by a high level of instability, conflict and unpredictability. The growth of the number of international and internal conflicts indicates a crisis of collective security mechanisms and a decrease in the effectiveness of traditional institutions, such as the UN, OSCE, EU, in settlement processes. Under such conditions, the need to find new approaches and expand the circle of subjects that are able to effectively influence peacemaking processes is becoming more urgent. Against this background, small states, such as the Vatican, Qatar, Oman, despite limited military and economic resources, are beginning to play a special role, demonstrating activity in the field of international mediation and participating in conflict resolution. Study object is small states as real and potential mediators in resolving international conflicts Scope of research is the features and practical implementation of the mediatory role of small states (on the example of the Vatican, Israel, Qatar and Oman) in resolving modern international conflicts. Goal of research – study the mediatory role of small states in resolving modern international conflicts (on the example of the Vatican, Israel, Qatar and Oman). The paper comprehensively analyzes the mediating role of small states in the settlement of modern international conflicts that arise in the context of the growing instability of the international system, the crisis of collective security, and the decline in the effectiveness of traditional international institutions. The specific features of small states that contribute to their mediating effectiveness are considered: neutrality, flexible foreign policy, lack of direct geopolitical ambitions, orientation to international law, and the ability to build trust between conflict participants [4,5]. Considerable attention is paid to the analysis of practical cases, in particular, the peacemaking activities of Qatar, which acted as a mediator in the dialogue between the USA and the Taliban, in the internal political crises of Lebanon, Yemen, and Palestine; Oman, which became one of the key actors in the settlement of regional conflicts, including the negotiation process between the Houthis and the USA; and the Vatican, whose peace diplomacy successfully contributed to the restoration of dialogue between Cuba and the United States in 2014–2017 [1,3]. Special emphasis is placed on the significance of the experience for Ukraine, which, in the context of ongoing aggression by Russia, needs to form an effective strategy of diplomatic influence and find new partners in the field of peaceful settlement. The practice of small states demonstrates that even limited in power participants in international relations are able to play a key role in the formation of peace initiatives, the creation of negotiation platforms and mediation between the parties to conflicts. The results of the study confirm that the mediation activities of small states are a promising tool for strengthening international security and can be integrated into Ukrainian diplomatic practice. Their participation in conflict resolution in the future has the potential to become an important mechanism for stabilizing the world system and increasing the effectiveness of global peacemaking processes [2]. Keywords: small states, instability, conflicts, role of states, mediation References: 1. Бойко, І. І. (2009). Роль Ватикану у мирному розв’язанні міжнародних спорів. Вісник Академії адвокатури України, (3), 124–128. 2. Лендел, М. (2025). Позиція Ватикану щодо російсько-української війни (2022–2024). Травневі студії: історія, політологія, міжнародні відносини, 28–31. 3. Назарков, В. (2019). Специфіка й особливості зовнішньополітичної діяльності Катару та Оману. Вісник Львівського університету. Серія філософсько-політологічні студії, (26), 152–158. 4. Baldacchino, G., & Wivel, A. (2020). Small states: Concepts and theories. In Handbook on the politics of small states (pp. 2–19). 5. Keohane, R. O. (1969). Lilliputians’ dilemmas: Small states in international politics. International Organization, 23(2), 291–310.