The latest PRIF Report No. 145 „Plural Peace“ – Principles of a New Russia Policy reflects how Russia and the West got into an increasingly militarized confrontation and which paths could lead out of this political crisis. The annexation of Crimea about three years ago inflamed the tensions on both sides.
The authors Matthias Dembinski and Hans-Joachim Spanger initially discuss explanatory approaches given by Russia and the West for the escalation of the East-West conflict. While Russia blames the failed expansion policy of NATO, the West holds Putin’s authoritarian turn responsible for the current situation. The authors present a possible solution for the crisis, which involves a paradigmatic change on the Western side, and propose the concept of “Plural Peace” as an alternative policy model towards Russia. They show that mutual recognition is a prerequisite for constructive cooperation and focus on the long-ranging transformative force of setting a good example. Dembinski and Spanger conclude with proposals on how the concept can be implemented into political practice and especially how the current Western crisis management strategy can be transformed into durable crises settlement.
Download (pdf, 286kb): Dembinski, Matthias/Spanger, Hans-Joachim (2017): "Plural Peace" - Principles of a New Russia Policy, PRIF Report No. 145, Frankfurt/M.
The Report can be ordered at PRIF for 10 €.