January 29, 2025

Russia Wants a New World Order

By: Kate Johnston and Nicholas Lokker

Russia has global and regional ambitions to revise the prevailing international order – viewing it as a reflection of Western hegemony. Moscow seeks to discredit key pillars of the liberal international order, assert an illiberal governance model overseas and enhance its status as a great power. By undermining key international and regional institutions, including the UN, carrying out hybrid and sabotage attacks in Europe, and coordinating its efforts with China, Russia is seeking a fundamental reshaping of the global order.

The challenge for the West is that Russia’s vision for a new world order is appealing to many states who feel that the liberal international order has placed them at a disadvantage and who are underrepresented in many multilateral institutions. In addition, countries in the Global South are frustrated by perceived Western hypocrisy in the selective application of supposedly global rules and norms. But a world divided into geopolitical blocs would struggle to find solutions to transnational challenges, and the erosion of the rules-based order could lead to increased conflict.

To tackle Russia’s attempts to overturn the international order the West must double down on a commitment to multilateralism, look inward to address accusations of double standards and call out the flaws and contradictions in Russia’s actions.

The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December struck a blow to Russia’s project to reshape the international order toward greater multipolarity. After nine years of military and economic support for the regime, Moscow — overstretched in Ukraine — abandoned the regime as rebel forces approached Damascus, offering no support beyond asylum for Assad and his family.

The rebel takeover has cast doubt on whether Russia will be able to go on accessing its air and naval bases in Syria, a fact that could limit its power in the Mediterranean and beyond. Meanwhile, Assad’s collapse also undermined Russia’s reputation as a reliable security guarantor for its partners.

Undermining the cohesion and enlargement of the EU and NATO is part of Moscow’s desire to enhance its status as a great power, discredit key pillars of the liberal international order, and assert an illiberal governance model abroad.

Yet despite this setback, Russia’s attempts to overturn the international order are still finding success elsewhere, and resisting Moscow’s efforts is no small order for the West. It will have to both safeguard multilateralism and address accusations of double standards.

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