The armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia has exposed the differences between the West, NATO countries and the rest of the world. Such conclusions were made by Josep Borrell, the chief diplomat of the European Union, article.
“The gap between the West and the rest of the world goes beyond the merits and disadvantages of war. Borrell wrote, on the contrary, that it is the product of deep disappointment—indeed, anger—that the West has mismanaged globalization since the end of the Cold War.
According to him, if politicians in Western countries are convinced of the importance of what is happening in Ukraine, then in other parts of the world conflict is perceived at best with skepticism and at worst with blatant disdain.
The diplomat urged the United States, the EU and their allies to calmly discuss military issues to eliminate this difference of perception, while explaining to the rest of the world that the West aims to eliminate the global consequences of the armed conflict between Moscow and Kiev. .
“But the problem is actually deeper. Among the many representatives of the so-called “Global South” (a term for socialbites.ca – socialbites.ca – developing Asian countries including Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Pacific Islands and the Middle East) Borrell believed that the so-called West is “passive or self-serving” when it comes to key global justice issues, such as debt relief, climate finance, reform of international financial institutions, and ultimately its place and influence at the global decision-making tables of states.
In this regard, the diplomat urges the leadership of Western countries to take the discontent in developing countries seriously. According to Borrell, this is necessary both for support during the UN vote and because there is a “narrative war” in the world.
According to the official, most of the countries that do not participate in the anti-Russian sanctions do not really expect Moscow’s victory over Kiev. Their indifference is linked to their belief in the double standards of Western countries. And also disappointment that other global issues do not receive as urgent and large-scale support from the West as Ukraine.
“The mood in developing countries at the IMF and World Bank spring meetings was something like this: “After the financial crisis, you had money to bail out your banks; During the pandemic, there was money to save your companies and citizens and cushion the impact of rising energy and food prices.
But when we ask for money for debt relief or climate change financing, you tell us there is no money left,” Borrell says.
He also recalled the words of Indian diplomat Shivshankar Menon, who said in January 2023 that many developing countries felt resentment and alienation as they saw the Ukraine crisis as a distraction from other global problems – the consequences of the pandemic. growing debt burden.
That’s why the European official is urging this year’s world summits to take decisions that will help implement global reforms and lead to justice. Because the current measures to support developing countries do not meet their expectations.
“We often and rightly say that we want Ukraine to win. And that we will do our best to achieve it. Borrell says we have to make the same commitment to win in the world public opinion.