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A superpower is a cold war term. When people today say that Russia aspires to have this status, I interpret it in the following way: they want to undermine trust in Russia, to portray Russia as frightening, and create some kind of image of an enemy. ... Russia is in favor of a multipolar world, a democratic world order, strengthening the system of international law, and for developing a legal system in which any small country, even a very small country, can feel itself secure, as if behind a stone wall. ... Russia is ready to become part of this multipolar world and guarantee that the international community observes these rules. And not as a superpower with special rights, but rather as an equal among equals.

Vladimir Putin#19

PoliticsRussiaLawInternational lawEqualityInternational relations

About this quote

What does it mean?
He rejects the superpower label, calling for a multipolar world where all nations are equal under law.
In plain terms
Russia wants equal status in a multipolar, law‑based world, not special superpower rights.
What can you take from it?
Promote a fair, multipolar international order.

Where it applies

  • global governance
  • international negotiations

Putting it to work

  • law‑based multilateralism
  • equal representation

Questions to consider

  • How to enforce equal treatment?
  • What mechanisms ensure multipolar balance?

Another view

Achieving true equality among nations is difficult.

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