Russia-RD: Diplomatic distance little concealed | Almomento.net

The Russian embassy is established in a climate of cautious thaw, where the diplomatic distance observed during the visit of Foreign Minister Lavrov underlines the complexity of navigating the waters of a world order in transformation.

Hence, “by the eye of good bucket” it is easy to interpret this cold reception as a “message” directed to the United States, with which he reaffirms his loyalty and dependence on the Dominican government towards the hegemon of the north.

The limited public interaction and the lack of effusivity in the reception suggest a deliberate strategy so as not to send equivocal signals to Washington, reinforcing the idea that the relationship with the United States remains essential.

The palpable coldness

The recent visit of the Russian Foreign Minister, Serguéi Lavrov, to the Dominican Republic, marked by the inauguration of the Russian Embassy and the celebration of 80 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations, has exposed a palpable coldness in the official treatment of such a distinguished visitor, which evidently contrasts with the reception and protocol that was observed in the previous visit of the US Secretary of State. Adventurers to affirm what is evidenced as a clear prioritization of the relationship with the United States.

This contrast, far from being a mere issue of protocol, reflects the geopolitical vision that influences Dominican foreign policy and its narrow conception of the multipolar world that predominates globally, although the opening of the Russian embassy, ​​would seem to be nuanced by strategic prudence, where the search to diversify relations does not eclipse the traditional alignment with Washington.

The comparative analysis of both visits, as exposed by the review of a prestigious local medium, reveals an official behavior pattern that is very intended to disguise, does not go unnoticed, because while the arrival of Marco Rubio was received with great splendor, the presence of Foreign Minister Lavrov was limited to a simple ceremonial.

Rubio’s agenda included private meetings, official lunches and joint press conferences, underlining an atmosphere of collaboration and openness. In contrast, Lavrov’s visit that was characterized by the absence of a press conference, a brief presidential meeting and without official tribute, and the lack of joint statements to the media, as stated and how the protocol commands.

This disparity in the treatment suggests that, although the Dominican Republic recognizes the importance of maintaining diplomatic ties with Russia, it does so with a reserve that contrasts strongly with the warmth demonstrated towards its American ally, so it is not ventured to interpret this cold reception as a “target message” addressed to the United States, reaffirming the loyalty and dependence of the Dominican government towards its main commercial partner and political hegemon.

The Russian Embassy: A cautious thaw in a new geopolitical panorama

The opening of the Russian Embassy in Santo Domingo, although late after eight decades of formal relations, is part of a geopolitical context where the influence of powers such as China and Russia is reconfiguring the panorama of Latin America and the Caribbean. For Moscow, establishing a permanent diplomatic presence in the Dominican Republic represents a strategic movement to strengthen ties in a region historically under the influence of the United States, seeking to project its influence and diversify its alliances.

However, for the Dominican Republic, facilitating this opening under a conservative and traditionally aligned government with Washington, it could be interpreted as an act of pragmatism. In an increasingly multipolar world, it could also be interpreted that the Government of the Dominican Republic seeks to optimize its foreign relations, exploring possible economic or strategic benefits without this decision meaning to compromise its historic alliance with the United States.

The cautious reception of Serguéi Lavrov, in this sense, could be a manifestation of this pragmatism. The Dominican government, although it allows and recognizes the importance of Russian diplomatic presence, maintains a distance that seeks to balance its interests with the expectations of its main ally.

The limited public interaction and the lack of effusivity in the reception suggest a deliberate strategy so as not to send equivocal signals to Washington, reinforcing the idea that the relationship with the United States remains essential.

The Russian embassy, ​​therefore, is established in a climate of cautious thaw, where the search for new alliances does not imply an abandonment of the traditional ones, and where the diplomatic distance observed during the visit of Foreign Minister Lavrov underlines the complexity of navigating the waters of a world order in transformation.