The Economist’s Post

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia coincided with multiple Russian air strikes on Ukraine and came ahead of this week’s NATO Summit in Washington, DC where Russia's war in Ukraine will be a key issue of discussion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that "It is a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world's largest democracy hug the world's most bloody criminal in Moscow on such a day." These developments highlight the challenges of sustaining India's longstanding commitment to "strategic autonomy" in its foreign policy in a climate of growing geopolitical polarisation. How long can New Delhi continue to square the circle of maintaining close relations with both Washington, DC and Moscow (or for that matter Israel and Iran)? So far the West has made an exception for India while being more critical of other countries maintaining close relations with Russia (e.g., China, Iran, North Korea). But it will become increasingly difficult to sustain this position if the conflicts in Ukraine (or the Middle East) escalate. I discussed these and other issues regarding Modi's Russia visit in multiple media interviews (The Associated Press, TIME, CBC, The Independent):

Modi’s recent visit to Moscow aimed to remind Putin that India is a time-tested ally of Russia, reduce Russian dependence on China and secure Russian support during any hostilities between India and China. Given the role of India in the West’s global ambitions, the White House raised concerns over the meeting while urging New Delhi to use its relations with Moscow to end the war in Ukraine. This indicates that India is drawing up a foreign policy that is “non-Western, but not explicitly anti-Western.” Managing Partner Zaid M. Belbagi writes on the significance of the recent India-Russia Summit for the US and China. Read more at https://lnkd.in/eu62625F

What if Russia wins? That's a significant "What if?" exercise, and one that's absolutely necessary. If #Ukraine emerges successful, a bruised and battered Russia will sulk back to Moscow and bide their time. If #Russia prevails, it will change the European political and military landscape, and not in a good way. "New conflicts could be on the horizon. To which old borders would Russian President Vladimir Putin like to restore the Kremlin’s empire? Finland, Poland, and the Baltic states were all once ruled from Moscow, and anyone with access to Kremlin-approved television can find Russian imperialist dreamers talking in these terms." It's safe to say - as it always has been - that Ukraine was intended to be a quick opening gambit. But, to what? There are so many "What ifs?" to this situation that it's difficult to say what Putin's #endgame might be. A complete reimagining of Eastern #Europe is not that difficult to imagine. So... what if?

Russia has begun to refer to itself as part of the “Global Majority” – countries of the non-Western world, for which Putin wants to become a beacon and a moral authority. Following in the footsteps of the USSR, these countries are pragmatic enough to accept his help, while maintaining a multi-vector foreign policy. In the Global South, he could bask in glory. Yet in former Soviet states in Central Asia, Putin is still the lord of a new empire built on the wreckage of the USSR. His expansionism scares off rather than convincing them, allowing China to be an alternative to lean on. Although the West feels war fatigue and the resources to support Ukraine are dwindling, this may not help Putin seriously to advance his expansionist agenda. For Ukraine 2023 hasn’t been a good year, with the offensive missing the target. Yet it doesn’t mean Kyiv is losing the war. For Putin, It is the case. In Ukraine he has lost a sphere of influence. Besides, the “new territories” Russia occupies in Eastern Ukraine are a huge burden on the budget, which does not yet bring any economic benefits. Worse, Russia’s future is more uncertain than ever if he remains in power for another decade.

China’s relations with Russia are not fixed, and they have been affected by the events of the past two years. Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, has just visited Beijing, where he and his Chinese counterpart once again emphasised the close ties between their countries. But the trip appears to have been more diplomatic effort by Russia to show it is not alone than genuine love-in. Shrewd observers note that China’s stance towards Russia has reverted from the “no limits” stance of early 2022, before the war, to the traditional principles of “non-alignment, non-confrontation and non-targeting of third parties”. #TSICommentaries #TSIWeekly20240331 #TSIUkraine #TSIChinaRussia #BestTSI2024 https://lnkd.in/exWTBKsb

#VantageOnFirstpostPM Modi to Visit Russia Next Month Amid Ukraine War & Growing Chinese Threat | Vantage on Firstpost The Kremlin says the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Russia next month. This will be PM Modi's first visit to Russia in nearly five years and also the first one since the invasion of Ukraine. During the bilateral visit, PM Modi is expected to reaffirm his commitment to the India-Russia relationship. Both countries could also sign a defence logistics pact to facilitate deeper military engagement. Since the beginning of the Ukraine war, the West has imposed hefty sanctions on Russia, which has driven Moscow to deepen its ties with China. Earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed their "no limits partnership" - a worrisome situation for New Delhi. How will PM Modi's visit to Russia help provide a counterbalance to the Chinese? Watch this report to know more. --- India | Narendra Modi | Russia | Vladimir Putin | Ukraine | Russia Ukraine War | Firstpost | World News | News Live | Vantage | Palki Sharma | News #india #pmmodi #russia #vladimirputin #firstpost #vantageonfirstpost #palkisharma #worldnews

Breakaway region asks Russia for protection - Remember how russia started their illegal invasion of first Crimea and now all of Ukraine? It started with pro-russians (controlled by Kremlin) appealed to Russia to "introduce measures to protect russians .... This is not 2014, this is from Moldova today.... Authorities in Moldova's Russian-backed breakaway region of Transnistria on Wednesday appealed to Russia to "introduce measures to protect Transnistria from increasing pressure from Moldova". This is written by Reuters. It is particularly about financial pressure, it appears. Transnistria borders Ukraine and has close ties to Russia's government, which has more than 1,000 troops stationed in the breakaway region. Several experts believe that Russia may try to use Transnistria to destabilize Moldova and challenge NATO. So russia now made their next move - to destabilize the next country and steal it.... and still some ask for Ukraine to give russia some of their territory for peace.... Remember russia do not want peace, they want Ukraine, Moldova, the Baltics and more... Wonder what the excuse will be this time NATO? Nazis? Suppression of russians? Historical maps? .... or some other russian BS PS Americans, remember putin also mentions Alaska.... that is part of russia too, according to the emperor... #russia #Moldova #war #NATO #EU #politics #armukrainenow #slavaukraini #Zelensky #ussenate #uscongress

via @PerilOfAfrica #buy #case #Putins #Report #Russians Most Russians back war in Ukraine and buy Putin’s case for it, report says: By WASHINGTON POST Source link Comment on this storyCommentAdd to your saved storiesSaveRIGA, Latvia — Russians are growing weary of the war against Ukraine but are divided about how much harm it has done and how to end it, according to a report based on polling and focus groups by the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center […] The post Most Russians back war in Ukraine and buy Putin’s case for it, report says first appeared on Peril Of Africa.

🇺🇦 10 years ago, Russia annexed Crimea. But to whom did Crimea belong historically? Lets have a look. --- ▶️ 1783: Russia incorporated Crimea into its empire, after having defeated the Ottoman Empire. Many Crimean Tatars, the local inhabitants, were driven out, while the first Russian settlers came in. ▶️ 1944: Once the Red Army retook Crimea from the German Wehrmacht, it deported the entire population of Crimean Tatars to Central Asia as punishment for collaboration with Germans. The peninsula was resettled with other peoples, mainly Russians and Ukrainians. ▶️ 1954: Crimea was transferred within the USSR from the Russian to the Ukrainian SSR. Russians then constituted 70% of the Crimean population. ▶️ 1992: Crimea declared its independence from Ukraine. The conflict was resolved in 1995, when Crimea received considerable autonomy in exchange for subordination to Ukraine. The legal status of Crimea as part of Ukraine was also backed up by Russia (Budapest Memorandum). Ukraine allowed Russia to continue basing its fleet in Sevastopol. ▶️ 2014: Russians still compromise ca. 66% of the Crimean population. Crimea saw intense demonstrations against the removal of the Russia-leaning Ukrainian president Yanukovych in Kyiv. Protests culminated in Russian forces occupying strategic points in Crimea, followed by an internationally unrecognized referendum on the reunification with Russia. --- 🗣️ In my opinion, once the peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine gain momentum to end the war, we will see a wide range of proposals regarding the legal status of the Russian-occupied territories. Will we eventually see the proclamation of an independent Republic of Crimea again? What do you think? Let me know in the comments ⬇️ Source: https://lnkd.in/dTniNkNZ, lpb-bw.de/ukraine-krim, https://lnkd.in/d6utCrqB, https://lnkd.in/d9eB5UWd #maxfactoftheday #Ukraine #Crimea #Russia #geopolitics #politics #war #worldaffairs #internationalrelations #defense #business #foodforthought #factfulness This is a personal post and does not represent the opinions of my employer.