Perspectives from the Global South on Russia's war in Ukraine

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has highlighted a divergence on emphasis/priorities: in the West the emphasis is on the values at stake as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Western leaders talk of defending a rules based order. However other actors, for example members of the BRICS such as South Africa or India, often prefer not to frame the war in this way. There are a number of reasons for this, ranging from not wanting to be drawn into conflicts which they see as far removed from them in geographical and geopolitical terms, to their relations with Russia and/or China.  

Since the start of the war Ukraine has stepped up its diplomacy vis-a-vis the 'Global South'. 

Credit Suisse has described a 'Global West' facing a 'Global East '(Russia, China and their allies) while the Global South is reorganising to pursue its own interests. 

This panel explored various dimensions of this debate at a seminal time for the global order.  

Speakers:

Professor Toni Haastrup (Manchester)

Dr Volodymyr Dubovyk (Odesa National University)

Dr Soumya Mishra (King's College London)

Dr Natasha Kuhrt (King's College London, discussant)

Photo by Jade Koroliuk on Unsplash