After the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union, the concept of the New World Order emerged, emphasizing international cooperation, democratic principles, and human rights. The United States and the European Union are working together to create an economic framework focused on open markets, international trade, a climate-friendly economy, and enhanced cooperation. Increased awareness of climate change posed immediate threats to global well-being and integration into the New World Order concept. The official ratification of the Paris Agreement in 2015 represents an important step in the implementation of new regulations in both the economic and political spheres, focusing on the core goals of sustainable development.
The inclusion of countries such as China and Russia in the world economy at the beginning of the XXI century was considered to benefit both Western countries and newcomers, assuming that these countries would eventually experience political reforms, market economies, and democracy. values.
However, Russia and China see themselves as losers rather than winners in the coming New Sustainable World Order.[1]. They view the change in the World Order as unfairly favoring Western powers, leading to fear of being marginalized or losing power on the world stage. In addition, both Russia and China have economic systems that are not fully compatible with the principles of sustainable development, and as a result, they consider these changes as a threat to their economic interests and growth potential. Historical tensions and geopolitical rivalry between Russia and China, on the one hand, and the Western powers, on the other, have prevented a change of mind, as they have interpreted these changes as a strategy to maintain dominance rather than promoting real global cooperation. Additionally, they saw the integration of the global climate agenda and the protection of human rights as violating their sovereignty or interfering in their internal affairs, all under the guise of promoting stable values and democracy. Finally, with technological advancement often considered a driving force in the New Sustainable World Order, both China and, in particular, Russia saw themselves at a disadvantage compared to the West in terms of innovation and competitiveness.
This feeling was exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which served as a test of the strength of the existing World Order. It is clear that Russia’s goals were not so much to annex Ukrainian territories, but above all to reshape the World Order and fix Russia’s leadership based on energy, fossil fuels, and the country’s strategic competitiveness.
This was first expressed by Putin in his infamous speech at the Munich Security Conference in 2007. In this speech, Putin spoke about Russia’s thousand-year history, emphasizing its long-standing right to pursue an independent foreign policy. He strongly asserted Russia’s prominent role in the New World Order that emerged after the fall of the USSR and vowed to prevent Ukraine and Georgia from joining NATO. The subsequent violence in Georgia in 2008, and the events that took place six years later, including the annexation of Crimea and the conflict in Donbas, showed concrete actions taken in line with Putin’s earlier declarations.
In a strong and united way, the European Union has embarked on a decarbonisation journey driven by shared principles of sustainability and resistance to climate change. Their determined pursuit of green goals includes a strong commitment to rejecting the use of fossil fuels, especially coal, oil, and gas. In addition, the EU has implemented trade tax barriers, such as the Carbon Board Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). This unstable situation of Europeans acted as a catalyst, encouraging other economies, especially the United States, to make radical changes in energy, heavy industry, transportation, and to strengthen investments in new research and development.
Nevertheless, these radical changes have brought a powerful existential crisis to Russia’s elite. In particular, the EU’s decision to refuse to use fossil fuels after 2040 threatened the economic and political stability of the Kremlin as the government budget was filled by the export of raw materials including gas and oil or finished products that depend heavily on fossil fuels. In addition, the wealth of the Russian oligarchs, who provide significant support to the current political regime, is closely related to the export of these valuable resources.
In addition, the Russian state has become accustomed to living in a state of perpetual war for the past few decades. From the Russian-Afghan conflict in the late 1970s and early 1980s, to the Russian-Chechen wars in the 1990s, the subsequent Russia-Georgia war in 2008, the early stages of the conflict with Ukraine in 2014, and the full scale ongoing. The war with Ukraine since 2022, the state’s involvement in armed conflicts has become the norm in Russian society. They see war as an opportunity to gain political influence, to gain economic benefits by controlling world markets, or to strengthen their economy by capturing and using the resources of other nations. As a result, calls for action have come from countries but Russia’s political elites have no choice but to take action in an armed way.
For Russia, establishing itself as a first-class country both geographically and economically is important but using military power to achieve this has not proven to be effective. Therefore, Russia has offered another vision of a New World Order based on fear, instability, a return to the arms race, and the power of arms. Instead, Western countries are promoting the creation of a New World Order based on the principles of democracy, respect for the rule of law, sustainable development, and climate protection. In this proposed directive, it is not the ownership of natural resources that will determine a country’s standing within the global community, but rather its commitment to democracy, human rights, environmental protection, and sustainable development. Profit-based interests will no longer rule; instead, collective welfare that includes climate protection, and protecting democracy around the world will come first.
If Europeans and the Western world as a whole shape a new global system based on human values and environmental protection, using the ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) agenda through regulatory requirements, and changing social and business behavior models, then Ukrainians. today they defend their values on the battlefield. Despite the ongoing war, the Ukrainian government is implementing a series of reforms to integrate sustainable development into all processes at the government level, including political, economic, and social aspects. Ukrainian business leaders are transitioning to a values-driven strategy, where environmental protection, efficient use of resources, employee welfare, inclusiveness, and diversity are priorities. This change is important not only for Ukraine but also for the establishment of a New Sustainable World Order, where these principles and actions will play an important role in shaping a prosperous and equitable future for all.
Notes
[1] The “New Sustainable World Order” refers to a global paradigm shift that focuses on creating a balance between economic development, environmental protection, and social equity. This concept considers international cooperation to address pressing global issues such as climate change, resource scarcity, and inequality, by promoting sustainable practices and policies. It aims to prioritize the goals of sustainable development, ensuring the long-term health of the environment, economic prosperity, and social well-being for present and future generations.Further Studies in E-International Relations
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