Global stability is at its weakest point since the end of World War Two, according to Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia’s foreign intelligence agency (SVR). Speaking to state news agency RIA, Naryshkin said the world is undergoing a “qualitative transformation” of the international order, with major powers locked in a fierce struggle to shape the rules of the future. His remarks reflect Moscow’s long-held narrative that global tensions are rising due to Western dominance and resistance to emerging multipolarity.
Why It Matters:
Naryshkin’s warning underscores growing fears of a new geopolitical divide, as conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Asia test the balance of global power. The call for “compromise to avoid a major war” comes at a time when Russia remains isolated over its invasion of Ukraine and relations between Moscow and the West are at their lowest in decades. His comments also fit into Russia’s broader effort to frame itself as a stabilizing power amid what it sees as a crumbling Western-led order.
While Naryshkin emphasized the need to adapt peacefully to the changing world order, he again blamed Ukraine’s leadership under President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for obstructing peace efforts echoing the Kremlin’s consistent justification for its ongoing war.
Western officials have dismissed such claims, arguing that Moscow alone is responsible for prolonging the conflict through continued military aggression.
What’s Next:
The remarks come as global tensions intensify over Ukraine, U.S.-China rivalry, and instability in the Middle East. Analysts see Naryshkin’s statement as both a warning and a signal that Russia expects deeper polarization but also seeks to present itself as open to dialogue, provided its geopolitical interests are recognized.
With information from Reuters.
