RUSSIA-UKRAINE CONFLICT: GEOPOLITICAL SHIFTS AND WESTERN DECLINE

Abstract

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has become a defining geopolitical crisis with global repercussions. It highlights the deepening rift between the West—led by the U.S. and EU—and an increasingly assertive Russia, signaling a broader shift in the global balance of power. The war marks a decline in Western hegemony and the rising influence of emerging powers such as China, India, and Brazil in diplomatic, economic, and security arenas. It has also elevated the importance of energy security, technological warfare, and international institutions. This article explores the conflict’s impact on international relations, the role of emerging powers, and the evolving global power structure