Trump’s Anti-Zelenskyy Stand Advances Authoritarian Forces Worldwide

Source: The post Trump’s Anti-Zelenskyy Stand Advances Authoritarian Forces Worldwide has been created, based on the article “Multiple bullies at work, out to create a ‘multipolar world’” published in “The Hindu” on 3rd March 2025.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Context: The article criticizes the rise of an “illiberal international” led by leaders like Trump, Putin, and others, threatening democracy. It urges defending universal human rights and supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression and authoritarian influence.

Why is Donald Trump Criticizing Volodymyr Zelenskyy?

1. Donald Trump criticizes Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling him a “dictator” with a “4% approval rating.”
2. Trump suggests peace with Russia is possible only if Zelenskyy steps down.
3. This aligns with Vladimir Putin’s goal of installing a pro-Russian government in Ukraine.
4. Trump’s stance reflects John Mearsheimer’s view that Ukraine’s democracy threatens Russia.
5. Trump and his allies, like J.D. Vance, support authoritarian models in Europe, opposing liberal democracy.
6. They favor an “illiberal international” challenging universal democratic values and human rights.

What is John Mearsheimer’s Perspective on Ukraine’s Democracy?

1. Political scientist John Mearsheimer views Ukraine’s pursuit of a liberal democracy as an existential threat to Russia.
2. He argues that the geopolitical realities of living next to a powerful Russia make a democratic Ukraine unfeasible.
3. Mearsheimer suggests that Ukraine must consider Russian interests closely to avoid provocation and conflict.
4. He defines the situation as “great-power politics,” where smaller nations must align with the interests of neighboring great powers.
5. In his opinion, the ideal of Ukrainians choosing their political system freely is not realistic in the current multipolar world order.

How Does Russia Influence Neighboring Nations?

1. Support for Authoritarian Regimes:

• Russia backs authoritarian leaders in neighboring countries like Belarus and Kazakhstan to maintain control and suppress democratic movements.
• Example: Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has openly preferred a dictatorship, which has been brutal in suppressing democratic protests with Russian military support.

2. Influence in Political Policies:

• Russia’s influence extends to promoting policies that align with its interests, discouraging neighboring countries from adopting Western democratic standards.
• Example: In Belarus and Kazakhstan, Russia’s support has helped enforce regimes that limit freedoms and crack down on opposition, mirroring Russian domestic policies.

What is the Goal of the “Illiberal International”?

1. The goal of the “Illiberal International” is to establish a world order that favors authoritarian values over democratic norms.
2. Leaders like former U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán promote this vision.
3. They oppose universal human rights and push for national policies that reflect authoritarian ideals, like Hungary’s declared aim for an “illiberal democracy.”
4. Examples include Trump’s support for right-wing groups in Germany and Orbán’s refusal to honor international warrants against authoritarian leaders.
5. This group undermines democratic institutions and supports laws that restrict freedoms, such as those banning “gay propaganda” in Russia.

Why is Defending Ukraine Important for Global Democracy?

1. Countering Authoritarian Influence: Defending Ukraine is crucial to resist the spread of authoritarian regimes led by Russia and supported by figures like Trump and Orbán.
2. Support for Democracy: Ukraine’s fight symbolizes resistance against Russia’s push to install a pro-Russian government that opposes liberal democracy.
3. Global Political Stability: A free Ukraine promotes stability and counters the “multipolar world” ideal where major powers dominate smaller neighbors.
4. Example of Belarus and Kazakhstan: The suppression of democracy in Belarus and Kazakhstan with Russian support highlights the threat posed to democratic systems by authoritarian powers seeking to expand their influence.
5. Impact on the EU and U.S.: Strengthening Ukraine helps prevent the rise of far-right movements and illiberal policies in the EU and the U.S., promoting broader democratic governance.

Question for practice:

Examine how the rise of the “illiberal international” challenges universal democratic values and influences the geopolitical situation in Ukraine.