World Politics News   Articles for World Politics Course

Any attempt to persuade Russia that the costs of invading Ukraine are higher than the benefits depends on the ability of the West to implement economic sanctions that penalize the invasion.  There are reasons, however, to believe that Russians have insulated themselves from such measures by disguising their wealth in offshore banks that hide the identity of the owners of the wealth.  In this situation, the interests of economic elites in avoiding state scrutiny trumps the national interests of preventing armed aggression.  That conclusion suggests a global elite with no national loyalties at all.

The US Ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, gave a strong speech to the UN Security Council condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  Definitely worth a read.  Russian President Putin gave a press conference which has dampened the fears of an immediate Russian-Ukrainian conflict.  In the press conference, Putin said that Russia had no intention of annexing any Ukrainian territory.  The global reaction seems to be one of relief, but one should be careful about Putin’s honesty in such circumstances.  He obviously has bought himself some time and dampened the furor, but there has been no change in Russia’s ability to do precisely what he said he would not do.  Always watch capabilities, and not rhetoric.