Authors

Discussion

The prevailing narratives in international relations scholarship often pivot around great power dynamics, emphasizing the polarization wrought by the Russo-Ukrainian war as a standoff between Western and anti-Western blocs. This paper diverges sharply from traditional great-power-centric analyses by foregrounding an emergent, innovative paradigm: the strategic ascendance of small states amid global upheaval. Contrary to assumptions that such states are mere pawns or collateral in great power conflicts, this study reveals their deliberate and calculated embrace of neutralism, positioning it not as an act of passive detachment but as a dynamic, assertive stance within the international order. This neutralism serves as a form of strategic agency, allowing these small states to wield influence disproportionate to their size by deftly maneuvering within the global order rather than aligning unequivocally with dominant powers. Through a judicious blend of diplomatic flexibility and economic ingenuity, small states have leveraged the Russo-Ukrainian conflict to amplify their roles in critical areas such as energy, trade, and diplomacy, carving out new spaces of influence and actively shaping the discourse across global forums. More than mere observers, these states are now pivotal actors, harnessing their neutralism to not only safeguard but maximize their national interests. In doing so, they are not only safeguarding autonomy but redefining the limits and possibilities of international influence. This paper argues that the strategic adaptability afforded by neutralism enables these small states to engage in global resource and market negotiations with an efficacy that often eclipses traditional powers in specific arenas. As the Russia-Ukraine conflict catalyzes shifts within the global order, the influence of small states highlights a latent counterforce within the international system, challenging the prevailing Western-centric hierarchy and offering a pointed critique of mainstream international relations theory’s preoccupation with great powers. By elevating small states as proactive agents of multipolarity, this paper posits that they are reshaping the global order itself, positioning themselves as indispensable architects of a future international system where the rules are more diverse, the centers of influence more dispersed, and the opportunities for impactful diplomacy broader than ever.