Small States and the War in Ukraine

The War in Ukraine signals a return to sphere of influence politics and
great powers’ use of military instruments against their weaker neighbors.
The consequences for small states are negative. Although some small states
will find new opportunities for hedging and brinkmanship, most small states
will see their chances of shaping international agendas reduced as they
increasingly focus on defensive aims. To meet these challenges small states
must work together to promote their shared interests: 1) A modus vivendi
between the great power, which minimizes the risk of great power war as
well as the annexation and invasion of smaller states, 2) a rule-based
international order; 3) a relaunch the United Nations as the central arena for
debates on international society among sovereign states.