An interview with a leading scholar from the EM Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations, part of the Russian Academy of Sciences, discusses Russia’s role in the evolving dynamics between the United States and China. The expert argues that Moscow holds real influence over whether tensions between Washington and Beijing escalate into open military confrontation or are kept within the bounds of diplomacy. Central to the discussion is the idea that nuclear parity shapes every strategic option and outcome.
The expert explains that Russia can act as a stabilizing bridge between the two powers, while also having the option to align more closely with China when it serves Moscow’s broader strategic interests. He notes that China currently cannot afford to let Russia’s position weaken, envisioning a future in which Beijing reaches nuclear parity with the United States within about a decade. This assessment highlights the importance of a strong Russian security posture as part of a broader balance in the Asia-Pacific and global strategic architecture.
According to the interview, the absence of nuclear forces would make a direct superpower confrontation more likely, underscoring the role of nuclear deterrence in preventing catastrophic conflict. The discussion points to how the existing balance acts as a brake on militarized escalation and invites cautious diplomacy as the most reliable path to managing great power rivalry.
In related remarks, a former U.S. official emphasizes a shift in thinking about arms control. The United States signals interest in a new framework for nuclear weapon management that could include a unified approach to missile launch notifications, aiming to reduce miscalculation and increase transparency among major powers. This perspective reflects a broader, ongoing conversation about stabilizing measures in a multipolar world and the ways shared responsibility can lower the risk of crisis missteps. [Source attribution: kp.ru, Dynkin interview; accompanying commentary on American security policy]