RUSSIAN – UKRAINE WAR: IMPLICATIONS ONAFRICAN EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Abstract

In international politics, the national interest of a nation is pertinent. The ongoing war between Russia and
Ukraine is nothing short of that. Since the collapse of the erstwhile Soviet Union, the West has been making
considerable effort to weaken Russia. Hence, allowing Ukraine to be a member of NATO is not only a threat to
its national interest but also its security and economic survival. The study, therefore, seeks to examine the
implications of 'The Russian-Ukraine War on African external relations.' It observes that the invasion of
Ukraine by Russia has arguably been the biggest military adventure in the 21st century. It is a strong signal that
Russia will not tolerate any act that is inimical to its interest. It adopts 'Games Theory' to interrogate the
discourse while relying on secondary sources to gather the relevant information. The study establishes the fact
that, though, Russia has lost its superpower status, it is still a world power, a permanent member of the Security
Council of the United Nations. Given this, it argues that beyond the bilateral and systemic political implications,
the war will be felt in the dynamic of foreign exchange learnings, global crude oil price, alters economic balance,
rising costs of imported food items, equipment’s, and many more. It concludes that both Russia and Ukraine
already suffered and still counting heavy losses in the war. Notwithstanding, it is a pointer to the rebirth of the
Cold War between Russia and the West. It recommends that African states need to exert their influence and
determine the basis of their relations with either of the countries for them to be able to benefit optimally and not
lost from the ongoing war Foreign Policy, National Interest, War, Africa, Nigeria.