GPPi comments about stance on Crimea among rising powers

As the rhetorical battle over the fate of the Crimean peninsula between Russia and the West heats up, rising powers are siding with the G‑7. But this should be no reason for complacency, writes GPPi’s Thorsten Benner in an opinion piece for Deutsche Welle Online published 15 March 2014. Benner argues that the Western countries should foster trust with rising powers in order to build a common ground over issues of sovereignty and intervention.

Ahead of the referendum in Crimea on March 17, the G‑7 leaders called Moscow support for Crimea’s bid to join the Russia Federation a violation of international law. Russian president Putin counters that the current government in Kiev is illegal because it usurped power by force. Putin accuses the new government of taking ​“illegitimate decisions on the eastern, southeastern and Crimea regions.” That, said Putin, forced Moscow’s hand. ​“Russia cannot ignore calls for help, and it acts accordingly, in full compliance with international law.”

According to Benner, Brazil, India and China have voiced little or no backing in Russia’s favor. But this should not fool Western powers into believing that rising powers are buying their arguments. Rather, they find the West’s defense of sovereignty and territorial integrity ironic considering the US, French and UK intervention in Libya as well as the NATO intervention in Kosovo.

In Benner’s analysis, Brazil, India and China assume that the West – like Russia – is likely to bend international law to suit its own interests. Thus, it is paramount for the G‑7 powers to build a common ground on these issues, and particularly on the ​“Responsibility to Protect.” This, with the leadership and initiative of Germany, could help isolate Russia in the international arena should it continue putting forth claims as it is currently in the Ukraine.

Read the full article on Deutsche Welle online.