Russia is increasingly getting rough in the International Forum, which is brewing diplomatic tensions akin to the cold war days.
As this has caused considerable polarisation in issues around the world, the western countries must work to evolve a truce with Russia.
What are the recent developments?
Spy Fiasco - Russia was suspected to be involved in a nerve agent attack on an ex-Russia spy, who was freed by a treaty and is living in exile in U.K.
Consequently the UK expelled many Russia diplomats in a sign of protest, and US, 14 EU countries and Australia followed suit in solidarity with the UK.
While this is the most dramatic and concerted purge since the Cold War years, it wasn’t totally unexpected as tensions were already brewing underneath.
Election Tampering - Even before the current expulsions, U.S. had slapped sanctions against multiple Russian individuals and entities close to Mr. Putin.
The sanctions were in context of alleged interference in the 2016 US presidential election through covert online propaganda, including fake news.
Other issues - Russia’s alleged nexus with Afghani Taliban that is threatening American operations have added to the crisis matrix.
Also, Mr. Trump accused Russia of aiding North Korean to circumvent UN sanctions and is undermining the international pressure exerted.
EU had also voted to extend sanctions prohibiting businesses from investing in “Crimea” (which was illegally annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014).
How does the future look?
US Perspective - US has been inconsistent in its stands towards Russia, as Mr Trump had continuously wavered his position vis-a-vis Russia.
Notably, despite harsh diplomatic actions, he congratulated Mr. Putin for his electoral victory despite sharp criticism from across party lines.
Some also feel that the expulsion of Russian diplomats was to distract investigations into Trump Campaign’s collusion with the Russians during the elections.
Russian Perspective - Moscow seems determined to tighten its strategic grip on global geopolitics, through all possible means to reclaim its stature.
It may continue to influence foreign elections, undermine western forces in Syria, and Afghanistan, or even collude covertly with North Korea and Iran.
Given the high stakes in these international engagements, it is imperative that U.S. and EU bring Russia to the negotiation tables to avert a crisis.
