The long-cherished Russian ambition of being a peer competitor to the United States is incompatible with the reality of new world power contests. The main adversary for Vladimir Putin’s Russia is, in fact, Europe, which is resolutely upholding liberal-democratic norms. The Kremlin may hope for further erosion of transatlantic ties, but in the confrontation with a reenergized and rearming Europe, it is a designated loser.
Baev, Pavel K. (2026) Is Trump reshaping the world order?, Brookings Commentary (11–12). 2 February.