As recently as 2020, the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) (Hanns W. Maull) associated multilateralism with China and Putin. However, since Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, it has become clear that nothing is further from Putin's mind than a policy of mutual respect. Thus, the concept of a multilateralist foreign policy appears to have failed miserably, or at least to be in a deep crisis—the starting point for the Frankfurt-based group of authors led by Gunter Hellmann to sensitively examine the concept of multilateralism for its sustainability prospects (2022).


As appropriate and meritorious as this continuation of the concept of multilateralism appears in the face of global challenges, I believe it is insufficient as a foreign policy perspective. Opportunities for understanding are always measured by the respective level of civility: If an aggressive actor operates according to the logic of power, opportunities for understanding only arise if this actor is countered by sufficient countervailing power. Otherwise, attempts at dialogue become a farce, even reinforcing the actor's aggression – an insight that, in foreign policy terms, can be understood as a continuation of Helga Haftendorn's guiding principle of security and détente.

In light of this, the conclusion of Realistic Multilateralism emerges: Good foreign policy operates with an awareness of the dominant logics of action and levels of civility. This is precisely what enables it to pursue multilateralist goals creatively and effectively.

Volker Prittwitz/Berlin