ABSTRACT
Great powers prioritise other great powers and typically “notice” small states only when they are involved in international crises that periodically erupt in various parts of the world. Thus, the famous Swedish scientist R. Kjellen, considered the father of modern geopolitics, considered the dialectic of the relationship between small states and great powers at the beginning of the twentieth century. He thought that all great powers have an expansive nature and strive to become more powerful in different ways. Small states, however, are characterised by their desire to preserve the status quo in international relations (IR). Due to their size and geographic location, small states are destined to be ruled by major powers. They are reduced to “pulling chestnuts out of the fire for the giants,” that is, for the great powers, when it comes to international conflicts.
