When Will This Zap End? Speculating on the Struggle for a New World Order

Russia in Global Affairs. 2022. Vol. 20. No. 2. P. 10–23.

Prokhor Yu. Tebin

The paper analyzes the current crisis in Russia’s relations with Western countries and possible scenarios of further developments. The author concludes that the West is essentially at war with Russia as the very concept of war is not limited to a direct armed clash but suggests efforts by one power to compel the opponent to fulfil this power’s will. The current crisis was precipitated by the collapse of the Soviet Union, which heralded the West’s victory in the Cold War. Russia was not included in the Western bloc as a full-fledged member, and the West never intended to recognize Russia’s right to become an independent great power. The great power status is an objective necessity for Russia, but its potential does not allow it to confront the collective West on equal terms. One possible solution is further rapprochement with China which has the capability to claim the status of a second superpower.

Keywords: российско-американские отношения, война, war, national security, Russia-US relations, великие державы, Международная и национальная безопасность, great powers, коллективный Запад, collective West, bipolar system of international relations, multipolar system of international relations, многополярная система международных отношений, биполярная система международных отношений