By Prem Sagar Poudel
Introduction: Russia’s Diplomatic Service Day and Contemporary Geopolitics
On the occasion of Russia’s Diplomatic Service Day, a special interview with His Excellency Aleksei Novikov, the Russian Ambassador to Nepal, sheds light on Russia’s current foreign policy, global affairs, and its stance on international issues. Ambassador Novikov’s statements highlight the ongoing geopolitical competition between the Western-led unipolar world order and the emerging multipolar global system driven by Russia, China, India, and other nations of the Global South.
Russia perceives itself as a counterforce to the Western-imposed “rules-based order”, advocating instead for a world system based on sovereignty and non-interference. According to Ambassador Novikov, Russia is actively redistributing its diplomatic and economic resources to strengthen its ties with the Global South, particularly with Nepal.
Russia’s Stance: Challenging Western Dominance
Ambassador Novikov’s views align with Russia’s long-held perspective that Western nations, led by the United States, seek to impose their ideological and political will on sovereign states. This reflects Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s assertions that Western powers have disregarded the United Nations Charter by enforcing unilateral decisions in global affairs.
The ambassador emphasized Russia’s role in alternative alliances that challenge Western influence, such as:
The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)
The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)
The BRICS bloc
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
Additionally, he highlighted Russia’s efforts to enhance cultural and educational ties with countries like Nepal, citing the growing number of Nepalese students studying in Russia as part of a strategic initiative.
A Potential Trump Comeback: Russia’s Expectations on U.S. Policy Shifts
While Ambassador Novikov did not explicitly endorse Donald Trump, he hinted at potential changes in U.S.-Russia relations under a Trump-led administration. Specifically, Russia sees Trump’s skepticism towards USAID (United States Agency for International Development) as validation of its long-standing criticism of the agency.
Citing Elon Musk’s recent remarks, where he labeled USAID as a “criminal organization,” Novikov argued that Russia’s decision to ban USAID in 2012 was justified.
However, despite acknowledging a potential thaw in relations, Novikov remained cautious, stating that the fundamental framework of Western policies—designed to contain Russia—was unlikely to change overnight.
The Ukraine War: Russia’s Unwavering Stance
Addressing the Ukraine conflict, Ambassador Novikov reiterated the Kremlin’s official position, emphasizing that the war is not merely a regional dispute but a Western-orchestrated strategy to weaken Russia and expand NATO’s presence.
He characterized the 2014 Maidan Revolution as a Western-backed coup, arguing that Ukraine has been used as a geopolitical pawn against Russia.
Russia’s conditions for a peace settlement remain unchanged:
Complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.
Ukraine’s permanent neutrality, ensuring that it does not join NATO or any military alliance.
Recognition of Crimea and other annexed territories as part of Russia.
Lifting of all Western-imposed sanctions on Russia.
These demands underscore Russia’s firm commitment to securing its geopolitical objectives and dismantling Western influence over Ukraine.
Implications for Nepal: A Shifting Geopolitical Balance?
While the discussion largely focused on U.S.-Russia tensions, Ambassador Novikov also hinted at Nepal’s growing significance in Russia’s diplomatic strategy.
As Russia seeks closer ties with the Global South, Nepal could witness increased cooperation in education, culture, and trade.
From a geopolitical standpoint, Nepal has traditionally maintained a balanced foreign policy with the West, China, and India. However, with Russia actively working to counter Western influence, Nepal’s strategic importance could grow significantly.
Notably, Nepal’s participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) opens doors for new economic and investment collaborations between Russia and Nepal.
Conclusion: Russia’s Diplomatic Trajectory in a Changing World
Ambassador Novikov’s statements reaffirm Russia’s long-standing foreign policy approach—one that challenges Western dominance and promotes a multipolar global system.
While Russia is intensifying its engagement with nations like Nepal, its success will largely depend on shifting global dynamics, particularly the future trajectory of U.S. foreign policy under a potential Trump administration.
For Nepal, navigating these geopolitical complexities will be crucial. While exploring new opportunities for collaboration with Russia, Nepal must also uphold its independent and multilateral foreign policy to maintain diplomatic balance.
