The detention of a tanker as a verdict on russia’s geopolitical influence
russia’s reaction to the detention of a vessel flying the russian flag in the North Atlantic has revealed the main thing: the kremlin is no longer capable of influencing geopolitical processes.
▫️ Through propaganda narratives, russia is trying to distance itself from the incident, claiming that the tanker is “allegedly not russian.” It is said to have only a “temporary registration” under the russian flag and therefore supposedly has no formal connection to russia. The logic is simple: if the vessel is “not entirely russian,” then the blow to the reputation of a “great power” supposedly does not count.
▫️ Equally “strong” is the response of russia’s ministry of foreign affairs, which merely called for the “humane treatment of russian citizens” on board the tanker. In other words, the issue has been reduced to a minimum consular matter.
▫️ Some russian politicians comment on the situation in an even more “threatening” manner, promising to “sort it out,” “wait a bit,” and protect property “primarily through diplomatic channels.”
Against this backdrop, calls by certain propagandists to “strike back” look particularly contrasting and marginal. Notably, for some reason, they propose striking Ukraine or Europe.
This chaotic rhetoric only underscores one thing: there is no real instrument of response. russia no longer influences global processes. Its flag offers no protection, its fleet provides no deterrence, and its threats do not work. All that remains is to invent excuses for a domestic audience.
