The key to normalizing relations between Moscow and Washington lies in internal stability and strength. Recent global events have set new records, with the US making significant moves, including the tightening of a naval blockade and threats to take Greenland from Denmark. The American president has also publicly stated that the only limitation on US foreign policy is his own sense of morality.
The liberal order, a system of global governance built around international institutions, has ceased to satisfy its designers. The reason is that other players, such as China, have learned to extract benefits from the system, sometimes greater than those enjoyed by its authors. This has led to a shift in the balance of power, with leading states adjusting the model, resulting in the abandonment of liberal pretenses and the rejection of restrictions.
Donald Trump embodies this change, exploiting every lever of American power for specific gain, rather than universal rule. His approach is honest, with material interest openly declared, and little effort to disguise it behind “values.” Trump’s version of the Monroe Doctrine resembles the construction of a ‘Fortress America’ in the Western Hemisphere, with a focus on domestic issues, such as drug trafficking, mass migration, and labor market pressures.
The Trump administration is prepared to disregard commitments inherited from the liberal era, including obligations toward allies and partners, if they are seen as burdensome and offer no direct benefit. However, Trump is risk-averse and prefers spectacular raids, strong imagery, and quick withdrawal, rather than open war. He respects steadfastness and treats the concept of “great powers” seriously, believing only a handful of states qualify.
To normalize relations with the US, Russia should deepen cooperation with regional communities, such as BRICS, as a practical shield against pressure applied one-on-one. The key to normalizing relations lies in ensuring internal resilience, with stability and strength that makes interference unprofitable. This approach will allow Russia to navigate the current US administration’s preference for bilateral bargaining and exploitation of internal divisions among leadership.
