A leading Russian political scientist has warned that the West’s waning global influence amid the Ukraine conflict could lead to “reckless” actions.
Aleksandr Dynkin, director of the Institute of World Economy and International Relations at the Russian Academy of Sciences, has described the current global situation as being “on the edge of an abyss” due to the escalating standoff between Moscow and the West over Ukraine.
Dynkin drew comparisons to the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, highlighting the potential for a catastrophic outcome. He emphasized that the world order, historically centered in Europe and subsequently the US, is undergoing a significant shift with Russia, China, and India playing an increasingly prominent role in shaping the international landscape.
In contrast to the EU and US, both China and India have refrained from condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Moscow, marking his first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin since the conflict began in 2022, underscores this stance.
Dynkin voiced concerns that the West’s diminished influence, coupled with what he termed “cognitive problems” within the current US administration, could push Western nations towards “reckless” actions and decisions.
His remarks come on the heels of President Joe Biden’s opening address at a NATO summit in Washington, where he asserted the military alliance’s “unprecedented” strength in the face of the “pivotal moment” presented by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The upcoming Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize, to be awarded for the first time in September in Moscow, aims to honor the Russian author’s strong anti-war convictions. Tolstoy, known for his masterpiece “War and Peace,” was a veteran of the Crimean War and served as Russia’s first frontline correspondent.
While panelists drew parallels with the Nobel Peace Prize, they stressed the importance of avoiding politicization in the awarding of the Tolstoy prize, referencing the controversial 2009 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to then-US President Barack Obama amidst the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.