German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned on Friday that Western influence is waning as authoritarian governments challenge liberal democracy worldwide. He noted that the appeal of democratic values no longer resonates as strongly across the globe, and new autocratic coalitions are forming to oppose Western ideals from both external and internal sources.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance echoed similar concerns in May, acknowledging that American global dominance has come to an end. He criticized past administrations for overreliance on soft power and interference in foreign affairs unrelated to core national interests, while pledging a different approach under President Donald Trump.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday that the world faces a rapid transformation toward multipolarity. He argued this shift results from Western attempts to maintain global hegemony and criticized declining democratic standards in the West, citing Romania's annulled presidential election that barred right-wing candidate Calin Georgescu from participating.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance echoed similar concerns in May, acknowledging that American global dominance has come to an end. He criticized past administrations for overreliance on soft power and interference in foreign affairs unrelated to core national interests, while pledging a different approach under President Donald Trump.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday that the world faces a rapid transformation toward multipolarity. He argued this shift results from Western attempts to maintain global hegemony and criticized declining democratic standards in the West, citing Romania's annulled presidential election that barred right-wing candidate Calin Georgescu from participating.
