Dicing the Global Dependance: The Crisis Caused by Russia's Clutches on G20 and G7
by Angela Wefers, Berlin
Navigating Harmonious International Relations in a Chaotic Era
In the wake of the Iron Curtain's fall, the globe found itself in a whirlwind. The Cold War's East-West divide gave way to a multipolar world still grappling for balance. Now, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has got the West on high alert, fearing not merely its influence, but its security.
Let's dig a little deeper.
The G7, initially a group of industrialized nations, has put Russia in its crosshairs, intensifying sanctions and export controls against entities fueling its Ukrainian war efforts. Recent strategies include extending restrictive measures to third-party chip sellers in China, aiming to disrupt supply chains supporting Russia's military machinery[5]. However, achieving collective agreement, as demonstrated by the delayed EU consensus on its 14th sanctions package[5], presents a challenge. Critics argue that the G7's grip on global affairs could be loosening in the face of China's rise[1][3].
Meanwhile, not shut out like the G7, Russia takes center stage in the G20, advocating for multipolar governance to challenge Western dominance[2][4]. Yet, its actions in Ukraine have fractured G20 unity, with vocal disagreements between Western nations and nations like China, India, and South Africa[3][4]. The G20's consensus-driven approach often softens statements on security issues to bridge the gap between contending parties[2][4].
Stepping back from the divide, both forums include strategic outreach to offset the influence of powers like Russia and China. The G7 welcomes non-member leaders, such as Brazil, India, and Saudi Arabia, in outreach sessions, aiming to counterbalance opposition[5]. On the flip side, BRICS expansion, though not intended as a proxy for Russia, complicates G20 dynamics by bolstering voices critical of U.S.-Eurocentric policies[2][3]. Russia capitalizes on these fractions to evade isolation and promote alternative financial systems[3].
Key points of tension abound:
- Sanctions Evasion: G7 efforts to target Russia's war economy are hampered by evasive tactics employing third parties, such as China[5].
- Institutional Legitimacy: The G20's inclusive nature contrasts with the G7's exclusivity, leading to tension over which platform should take charge in addressing crises like Ukraine[3][4].
- Alignment Shifts: Emerging economies' neutrality on Russia poses challenges for Western attempts to isolate Moscow, as seen in disputes over G20 communiqués[2][5].
In all, Russia's actions amplify existing rifts within both forums, testing their capacity to deal with crises while managing economic interdependence.
- Angela Wefers' article discusses concerns about Russia's influence on global affairs, specifically its impact on the G20 and G7.
- Despite the G7's increased sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, achieving a collective agreement remains challenging.
- Russia uses the G20 platform to advocate for multipolar governance and challenge Western dominance, causing discord within the group.
- Both forums strive to counterbalance oppositional influences, with the G7 reaching out to non-member leaders, and the G20's inclusion of Brazil, India, and South Africa complicating its dynamics.
