To become a global soft power, Canada should sever diplomatic relations with Russia

The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, like the annexation of Crimea, and the occupation of Georgia and Moldova before it, is the latest phase in the defining ideological struggle of the 21st Century: between countries governed by the rule of law, in favour of building and maintaining a rules-based international system, and lawless states that seek to revert to an anarchic world order where only the strong survive. As a stable country blessed by geography, Canada bears the burden of leadership and the opportunity to become a global soft power. To become a global soft power, Canada must first break free from the shadow cast by its allies. Yes, it is imperative that Canada continue strengthening NATO’s Eastern flank, because this is an instance where our strategic objectives intertwine with that of our partners—notably, defending our sovereignty and safeguarding our common values. Nevertheless, there are also instances where interests and objectives diverge between partners—such as when Canada chose to maintain diplomatic and economic ties with Cuba despite American disapproval. When it comes to Russia, Canada has followed in the footsteps of the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States for far too long. For a rich and multicultural country of 38 million people, pursuing a policy of “follow the leader” is strategically ambiguous and short-sighted. Although strategic ambiguity provides Canada with the flexibility to pivot as soon as its partners request, it also renders the government incapable of responding to international crises because our short- and long-term objectives are not clear—let alone our own. This short-sightedness and lack of strategic clarity undermines Canadian credibility and prevents Canada from becoming a global soft power. To illustrate one example of Canada’s short-sightedness and strategic incoherence, consider Parliament's decision to condemn Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine as the genocide of the Ukrainian people. This was, undoubtedly, the correct assessment of Russia's conduct in Ukraine. However, given Canada’s strategic ambiguity and lack of clear objectives, the Canadian government did not follow through with the next logical step: severing diplomatic relations with Russia. Maintaining a diplomatic and economic relationship with a regime that commits genocide sets a disturbing legal and political precedent for the Canadian government. It weakens Canadian credibility by tarnishing Canada’s reputation as a champion of the rules-based international order and a proponent of human rights while laying the foundation for “never again” to become “again” and “again” and “again.” Canada’s strategic ambiguity has further implications for our credibility, both domestically and internationally. In June, Canadian diplomats were reprimanded by their superiors and chastised by domestic media for attending an event at the Russian Embassy in Ottawa. In July, the Ukrainian World Congress announced it was suing Canada for carving out a sanctions exemption to return a repaired turbine so Russia could continue exporting gas to Germany. The list goes on and on, but one thing is certain: strategic ambiguity has weakened Canadian credibility while emboldening Russia to extract further concessions from the West. The case for severing diplomatic relations is strengthened by examining Canada’s economic relationship with Russia. Economically, bilateral trade with Russia is valued at $1-billion USD—equivalent to less than 0.2 per cent of our total GDP. If $1-billion USD is the value that the Canadian government places on the genocide of the Ukrainian people, cities like Mariupol and Volnovakha being reduced to rubble, and the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II, then shame on Canada. Our allies have a different set of interests and objectives at stake. On the one hand, Germany is energy-dependent on Russia, and their bilateral trade is valued at $40.3-billion USD. On the other hand, the United Kingdom and the United States, like Russia, are nuclear powers. In addition to needing MI6, the CIA, and the Federal Security Service to continue operating out of their respective embassies and consulates for the purpose of gathering intelligence, they must also collaborate on multilateral issues such as reviving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Unfortunately, Canada does not have a seat at any of those tables. And contrary to Canada, our partners have not officially qualified Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine as genocide. Russia's Ambassador to Canada Oleg Stephanov speaks with The Hill Times on April 27, 2022 at the Russian Embassy in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia Canada has determined that Iran and North Korea do not meet the ethical threshold required to maintain diplomatic relations. For all their brutality, the repressive regimes in North Korea and Iran pale in comparison to the carnage unleashed by Russia in Ukraine. Why, then, does Canada continue to maintain diplomatic relations with Russia? How far must Russia go for Canada to re-evaluate the behaviour it will tolerate from other states? To become a global soft power, Canada must break free from the shadow cast by its allies, abandon its policy of strategic ambiguity, clarify its short and long-term objectives, and re-evaluate the behaviour that it will tolerate from other states. There are two concrete ways in which Canada can lead from the front. First, by sanctioning the 6,000 people who constitute the backbone of the Putin Regime as per Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation. Second, by expelling the Russian ambassador to Canada, Russian intelligence operatives, and the rest of their diplomatic corps from Canada. Resumption of diplomatic relations must be contingent on Russian withdrawal to the Feb. 24 status quo. Until then, we have nothing to discuss with them. The stakes are high, and other revisionist powers are watching. George Monastiriakos is a lawyer licensing candidate, rapper, investor, and traveler who writes about politics and global affairs. He can be contacted at 1-514-812-0958 or by e-mail at gmona027@uottawa.ca.

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To become a global soft power, Canada should sever diplomatic relations with Russia

How far must Russia go for Canada to re-evaluate the behaviour it will tolerate from other states before severing diplomatic ties?

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