Russia and the United States have swapped world leadership roles.
(Baonghean.vn) - In an analysis article for Project Syndicate, former Spanish Foreign Minister Anna Palacio commented that Russia and the US have switched roles on the international stage, with the US gradually losing its position, while Russia is playing the role of a factor ensuring stability in the region.
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| Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump at the US-Russia Summit in Helsinki (Finland) in 2018. Photo: CNN |
Since the annexation of Crimea and Moscow's military intervention in Syria, Russia has been seen as a "danger" on the international stage. However, over time, Russia has gradually become a "player" with great influence on global affairs, said former Spanish Foreign Minister Palacio.
According to Ms. Palacio, the most important step in normalizing relations between Russia and the West was Kiev's signing of the "Steinmeier Formula". "This is considered an important victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin in his efforts to revive Russia as a world power," Ms. Palacio said.
The "Steinmeier Formula" was proposed by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to resolve the most crucial and most difficult content to implement the Minsk Agreement. That is the special status for the two Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Lugansk, which have declared themselves the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) and the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR).
The former Spanish Foreign Minister pointed out that Russia's growing influence is rapidly emerging due to the fact that the US is gradually losing its world leadership role. Citing a specific example of an attack on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, Ms. Palacio said: "While President Donald Trump only mentioned threats on Twitter, Russia has shown itself to be the one who ensures stability in the region with concrete actions."
According to Ms. Palacio, the US continues to be considered the "main player" in geopolitics, but "it just continues to be maintained as a habit, not determined by logic."
"Washington has not shown leadership, rejecting major global initiatives such as the Iran nuclear deal or the Paris climate agreement. This has had a negative impact on the world situation," Ms. Palacio added.
In contrast, according to the former Spanish diplomat, Europe, and especially Russia, is playing the role of a systematic mediator on the international stage. This is very important for the process of resolving conflict situations at hot spots.
