The Russia-Ukraine conflict is the most radical international political change to date, and the most difficult political choice China has yet faced
When talking about external challenges for China–Russia relations, we should first clarify what they mean given the current political situation. These challenges can be considered from different perspectives.
At the macro-level, the main obstacles to China–Russia relations appear in a wide range of areas. Politically, it is visible in...
... maintenance of a constructive relationship between participating states. This point appears to have returned today, when during the Ukrainian crisis, the OSCE has proved to be the only institution of European security that could engage all parties of the conflict ... ... economic-ecological and humanitarian dimensions
[2]
. This comprehensive understanding went far beyond traditional notions of international security. Thus already at the time of its establishment, the OSCE was able to step into the future. It was its first ...
... alternatively, we are moving towards “
an age of entropy
”
[9]
, where international politics transforms into a system far more erratic, unsettled and devoid of behavioral regularities.
2. International institutions are playing catch-up
“The Ukrainian crisis – and prior to that, the crisis in the Middle East – underscored the evanescence of many post-Cold war institutions”
[10]
. Such post-Cold War institutions are no longer able to guarantee international security. Meanwhile, states are lending little weight to international law and are increasingly willing to use force unilaterally to protect their individual interests. The latter is often the result of the great powers’ individual ...
... currently not enough information about the visit in the media. Vladimir Putin’s press spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the meeting would focus on bilateral relations. Lately Russia has been stuck in a vicious cycle, including the situation with the Ukrainian crisis – the central issue on the Russian agenda regarding the European dimension of its foreign policy.
Russia is trying to resolve the Ukrainian crisis. This means that the systemic problems of European security must be addressed, since ...
The 2015 Riga Security Seminar devoted to the problems of preserving and strengthening security in Europe in the context of the Ukrainian crisis took place on April 9–10. The seminar was organized by the
Latvian Institute of International Affairs
and the
European Leadership Network
, with the support of the
Friederich Ebert Stiftung
and the U.S.
Nuclear Threat Initiative
...
An open letter from Ivan Timofeev to his American counterpart Robert E. Berls Jr.
Last week the
Moscow Times
published an open letter by Robert Berls, senior adviser for Russia and Eurasia at the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI). In his letter to the Russian colleagues, Mr.Berls expressed his concern over deteriorating relations between Russia and the West. RIAC Program Director Ivan Timofeev responded to his letter and wrote his own one that we publish on the
Russia Direct
and RIAC website. ...
Shuttle diplomacy exercised by European leaders gives us a phantom of a chance that we must not overlook
The first impression from the Munich conference is that relations between Russia and the West are beginning to resemble a game of chicken. It is as if two airplanes are rushing towards each other head-on, and both crews refuse to deviate from their planned route. The only way for one side to win is for his opponent to lose. It is a virtually impossible task to make concessions or for both opponents...
Instead of a new Cold War, someday we could face a real, large-scale military conflict
Since the crisis in Ukraine began, many have claimed that a new Cold War between Russia and the West already exists. This rhetoric, used even by high-profile politicians, in my opinion, is driven mostly by emotions and is meant to justify difficult positions taken by one or the other side.
I am convinced that no Cold War of the type we experienced in the second half of the 20th century can be repeated today....
... verge of invading Europe
[14]
. Despite the scrupulously collected and systemized data, the policy brief in question appears to be a piece aimed at making the mudslinging more convincing.
Russia's Attitude
REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Alexei Fenenko:
Is Ukrainian Crisis the Last for Russia?
As far as airspace encounters are concerned, Russia's official view, mostly responding to accusations, is normally presented by the Ministry of Defense, which traditionally focuses on adherence to international law ...
On October 23, 2014, the Russian International Affairs Council received a delegation of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (
CPAFFC
) to hold an expert meeting on
Russian-Chinese Relations in the Ukraine Crisis Context
.
The Chinese side was represented by CPAFFC Secretary General Zhou Xinzheng, Director of CPAFFC Department for European Relations Zhao Jun, CPAFFC Council members Wu Dahui, Mo Zhaojie, Chen Bo, Chen Shijie, Kong Xiangzhi and Chan Hiu Tung, as...