Article
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and Security in the Indo-Pacific

By : Tomiko Ichikawa

Page No: 290-304

Abstract
This article analyses the effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the international multilateral security structure and the response of Japan and “like-minded” nation-states. It argues that Russia’s action violates the most fundamental principles of international law and that the world has entered a new era in which the post-Cold War security assumptions no longer hold. Even the foundation of the United Nations-based security architecture is threatened. The invasion and its severe impact on the rules-based order will have major implications for security in the Indo-Pacific where China poses a similar challenge. It calls upon the US and the Quad partners to step up their collaboration to enhance the stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. In light of the limitations of the Security Council (as demonstrated by the Russian veto), it stresses that India and Japan should strengthen their cooperation on the Security Council reform. It argues that India, the world’s largest democracy, needs to take a firm position against aggression and play a significant role in promoting a rules-based order that respects other nation-states’ territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Author :
Tomiko Ichikawa is the Director General of the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA). She joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1985. She served as the Director of the West Europe Division, the Economic Integration Division (EU), Economic Policy Division, and the Non-proliferation, Science and Nuclear Energy Division. She has served in the UK and the Permanent Mission of Japan in Vienna.

DOI: http://doi.org/10.32381/NS.2022.05.03.1