Russian counter-offensive in the international arena has lost momentum

Russia’s irrelevance in addressing most problems of crucial importance for the Global South, from investment to environment, is obvious and increasing, and Moscow’s propensity to conflict manipulation with diminishing set of instruments is disturbing for many stake-holders in stability in various conflict-rich regions. The irreducible ambition for the status of a major “pole” in the imaginary rules-free multi-polar world, which drives Russian foreign policy, rests on a diminishing resource base and a damaged reputation. Putin’s urge to play a central role in global affairs is set to be frustrated, and it can make his behaviour more erratic and dangerous.