Table of Contents

APSC Answer Writing (Daily) based on Assam Tribune – 23/02/2026

For APSC CCE and other Assam Competitive examinations aspirants, practicing Daily Answer Writing is vital. This blog covers the most important Main question and its model Answer from the Assam Tribune today (23-02-2026).

GS Mains Model Question

Paper: General Studies – II (International Relations | Global Governance | Energy Geopolitics)

Q.The prolonged Russia–Ukraine conflict has exposed both the limits of economic sanctions and the internal contradictions within multilateral groupings such as the European Union.

Critically examine the geopolitical and energy implications of the war, and discuss how India should navigate the evolving global order.
(15 marks)

Model Answer

Introduction

Four years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the conflict remains unresolved, reshaping Europe’s security architecture and global energy markets. As reported in The Assam Tribune (23 February 2026), Hungary’s threat to block the European Union’s 20th sanctions package over oil supply concerns highlights growing internal divisions within the EU. The war has thus become both a geopolitical confrontation and a stress test for multilateral solidarity.

Body

A. Geopolitical Implications

1️⃣ Reconfiguration of European Security

NATO expansion with Finland and Sweden joining.
Increased military spending across Europe.
Renewed emphasis on collective defence mechanisms.

2️⃣ Multipolar Realignment

Russia deepening ties with China and parts of the Global South.
Emergence of bloc-like formations reminiscent of Cold War dynamics.

3️⃣ Sanctions as Strategic Tool

EU imposed successive sanctions targeting finance, energy, and technology sectors.
However, unanimity requirement gives member states veto leverage, as seen in Hungary’s stance.

4️⃣ Hybrid Warfare & Technology

Extensive drone usage and cyber operations mark transformation in warfare patterns.

B. Energy Geopolitics

1️⃣ European Energy Diversification

Reduced reliance on Russian gas.
Increased LNG imports from the US and Middle East.
Strategic vulnerabilities exposed during supply disruptions.

2️⃣ Price Volatility & Inflation

Global crude price fluctuations impacted developing economies.
Fertiliser and food supply chains disrupted.

3️⃣ Pipeline Politics

Druzhba pipeline remains critical for Central European energy security.
Energy transit routes have become geopolitical bargaining chips.

C. Limits of Economic Sanctions

Sanctions have not decisively altered battlefield dynamics.
Russia adapted via alternative trade networks and currency mechanisms.
EU’s unanimity-based sanction mechanism reveals institutional rigidity.

D. India’s Strategic Navigation

1️⃣ Strategic Autonomy

Maintained neutral stance; calls for dialogue and diplomacy.
Continued energy imports from Russia to ensure domestic stability.

2️⃣ Energy Security Imperative

Discounted Russian crude mitigated inflationary pressures.
Balanced engagement with US, EU, and Russia.

3️⃣ Global South Leadership

Advocates peaceful resolution and respect for sovereignty.
Positions itself as mediator rather than partisan actor.

E. Way Forward

Promote diplomatic ceasefire initiatives through multilateral forums.
Diversify energy basket with renewables and strategic reserves.
Strengthen resilience of global supply chains.
Reform multilateral institutions for greater flexibility in crisis response.

Conclusion The Russia–Ukraine war underscores the fragility of collective security mechanisms and the limitations of sanctions as coercive instruments. While Europe grapples with internal contradictions, the conflict accelerates the transition toward a fragmented multipolar order. For India, calibrated strategic autonomy—balancing moral diplomacy with pragmatic energy security—remains essential to safeguard national interests in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.

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