Jump directly to page content

Search suggestions appear when at least 2 characters are entered. Use the arrow keys to navigate through the suggestions.

Global impact

Russia’s war against Ukraine has massive global repercussions and is fuelling the polarisation of the international system. The war has become increasingly international in scope. On the one hand, the West is deeply involved through its military, political and economic support for Ukraine. On the other, a support group has also formed around Russia. Russia obtains weapons from Iran and North Korea. North Korean soldiers are directly involved in the fighting. China and other countries are helping Russia to evade Western sanctions and to continue obtaining vital goods for its defence industry.

Russia’s war against Ukraine is having a destabilising effect on other conflict regions. In the Middle East, Moscow sided with Hamas following its terrorist attack on Israel in October 2023. Russia has since been using Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip for its international propaganda. The US–Israeli war against Iran, ongoing since 2026, is closely intertwined with Russia’s war against Ukraine through the parties involved and their armaments cooperation. Moscow’s military cooperation with North Korea strengthens the North Korean ruler Kim Jong-un, and has a visibly negative impact on stability on the North Korean peninsula.

Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian ports continue to pose a risk to global food security. The war is also having an impact on the energy markets. The disruption of economic relations between Russia and the West as well as Western sanctions have changed international trade. Russia is seeking to strengthen international structures in which the West is absent. This is one of the factors seriously weakening the UN and other institutions of the post–World War international order.

Contact

Publications

Load more