(Washington) – New revelations from the Institute for the Study of War have exposed Russia’s efforts to manipulate global opinion by cloaking its imperial ambitions in rhetoric designed to appeal to the Global South and East. According to George Barros, a senior analyst at the Institute, the Russian regime under the direction of the Russian dictator continues to push for domination of the international order with support from China and Iran, all while pretending to promote a fair and multipolar world.
Russia, Barros explained, portrays its goals as noble and inclusive, seeking to unite underrepresented nations against the Western-led liberal system. In reality, the Russian dictator’s agenda remains selfish, expansionist and deceptive. The regime only welcomes alliances with countries that align strictly with its geopolitical desires. The so-called multipolarity is merely a smokescreen designed to gain sympathy and buy-in from countries who do not yet see the true face of Kremlin manipulation.
Negotiations between the Trump administration and Russia during the latter’s earlier phases of aggression toward Ukraine revealed the true scope of Russian demands. While initially requesting recognition of control over four Ukrainian regions—which they still do not fully occupy—the Kremlin’s true objectives are far more aggressive. In recent weeks, Russian officials have begun invoking the term “Novorossiya” or “New Russia,” which refers to an imperialist concept encompassing large portions of southern and eastern Ukraine, including areas such as Poltava, Mykolaiv, and Odesa.
These ambitions do not stop at Ukraine’s borders. The Kremlin is also pushing broader demands including the demilitarisation and so-called denazification of Ukraine, a rollback of NATO borders to 1997 lines, and even regime change in Kyiv. The increasingly explicit nature of Russian demands has revealed the Kremlin’s long game: total subjugation of Ukraine and the eventual dismantling of Western institutions that oppose their authority.
Barros noted that the longer negotiations drag on, the bolder the Kremlin becomes. Initially, American envoys such as Steve Witkoff —acting under United States President Donald Trump—misunderstood the depth of Russian intent. By offering limited concessions, they inadvertently encouraged Russia to broaden its demands. Kremlin officials responded to these perceived signals with even greater territorial and strategic aspirations.
A troubling aspect of this strategy is Russia’s proficiency in using non-military tools to control states. Barros highlighted how Georgia became a laboratory for Kremlin interference. Following a military invasion in 2008 and years of hybrid influence operations, pro-Russian elements gained significant power in Georgian politics. The same tactics are now being deployed in Ukraine and other neighbouring countries.
Should Russia entrench itself in Ukraine, Barros warned, it may later conscript Ukrainians to fight future Kremlin wars, potentially against NATO members. Ukraine’s strong civic nationalism remains a major obstacle for Russia’s control, but the Kremlin’s deep-rooted manipulation strategies, including propaganda, political subterfuge, and proxy use, remain potent and dangerous.
Russia’s global strategy also involves challenging the post-World War Two international system. The Russian dictator’s Eurasian security vision, recently outlined in a Kremlin address, seeks to dismantle the rules-based international order and replace it with a power-sharing bloc dominated by Russia, China, and Iran. Though dressed in egalitarian language, this new system excludes any country that does not conform to Moscow’s imperial goals.
The Fake Multipolar World Russia Is Selling Iran and China (Video)
Asia Pacific, Commentary, Politics and Russia
(Washington) – New revelations from the Institute for the Study of War have exposed Russia’s efforts to manipulate global opinion by cloaking its imperial ambitions in rhetoric designed to appeal to the Global South and East. According to George Barros, a senior analyst at the Institute, the Russian regime under the direction of the Russian dictator continues to push for domination of the international order with support from China and Iran, all while pretending to promote a fair and multipolar world.
Russia, Barros explained, portrays its goals as noble and inclusive, seeking to unite underrepresented nations against the Western-led liberal system. In reality, the Russian dictator’s agenda remains selfish, expansionist and deceptive. The regime only welcomes alliances with countries that align strictly with its geopolitical desires. The so-called multipolarity is merely a smokescreen designed to gain sympathy and buy-in from countries who do not yet see the true face of Kremlin manipulation.
Negotiations between the Trump administration and Russia during the latter’s earlier phases of aggression toward Ukraine revealed the true scope of Russian demands. While initially requesting recognition of control over four Ukrainian regions—which they still do not fully occupy—the Kremlin’s true objectives are far more aggressive. In recent weeks, Russian officials have begun invoking the term “Novorossiya” or “New Russia,” which refers to an imperialist concept encompassing large portions of southern and eastern Ukraine, including areas such as Poltava, Mykolaiv, and Odesa.
These ambitions do not stop at Ukraine’s borders. The Kremlin is also pushing broader demands including the demilitarisation and so-called denazification of Ukraine, a rollback of NATO borders to 1997 lines, and even regime change in Kyiv. The increasingly explicit nature of Russian demands has revealed the Kremlin’s long game: total subjugation of Ukraine and the eventual dismantling of Western institutions that oppose their authority.
Barros noted that the longer negotiations drag on, the bolder the Kremlin becomes. Initially, American envoys such as Steve Witkoff —acting under United States President Donald Trump—misunderstood the depth of Russian intent. By offering limited concessions, they inadvertently encouraged Russia to broaden its demands. Kremlin officials responded to these perceived signals with even greater territorial and strategic aspirations.
A troubling aspect of this strategy is Russia’s proficiency in using non-military tools to control states. Barros highlighted how Georgia became a laboratory for Kremlin interference. Following a military invasion in 2008 and years of hybrid influence operations, pro-Russian elements gained significant power in Georgian politics. The same tactics are now being deployed in Ukraine and other neighbouring countries.
Should Russia entrench itself in Ukraine, Barros warned, it may later conscript Ukrainians to fight future Kremlin wars, potentially against NATO members. Ukraine’s strong civic nationalism remains a major obstacle for Russia’s control, but the Kremlin’s deep-rooted manipulation strategies, including propaganda, political subterfuge, and proxy use, remain potent and dangerous.
Russia’s global strategy also involves challenging the post-World War Two international system. The Russian dictator’s Eurasian security vision, recently outlined in a Kremlin address, seeks to dismantle the rules-based international order and replace it with a power-sharing bloc dominated by Russia, China, and Iran. Though dressed in egalitarian language, this new system excludes any country that does not conform to Moscow’s imperial goals.
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Published in Asia Pacific, Commentary, Politics and Russia
Amnon J. Jobi is sole Editor in Chief at The Daily Reformer®. He writes like it is 1998.
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