Mehdi Zakerian, in an interview with the website of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations about the  continued tension between the West and Russia over Ukraine, said: unlike the 20th century, which was two-sided, bipolar and conflicting, the global  system is homogeneous and multifaceted in some issues except the political sphere. On the other hand, there is a deep gap in the political and security dimension in the current world system, which Russia is trying to use to its advantage. The tension in the political dimension started with the territorial expansion, especially the expansion of NATO to the East to the point where even Russia and NATO’s third security ring tried to join this ring, so that maybe with the coordination of Russia, NATO’s actions to the East would be carried out, but some disagreements emerged which prevented its formation.

He added: After that, we saw the occupation of Crimea by Russia and then the military attack on Ukraine, which shows that the deep divide in the political dimension is still strong. The Russians also tried to have supporters for themselves in the same way that the West and America supported Ukraine, but they were not very successful in this regard. For example, Russia tried to bring China along with it, and now it is trying to bring North Korea and Vietnam along, but these are just a show of alliance. The Chinese withdrew with a special delicacy from the confrontation between Russia and the West, and other countries, except Belarus, did not support Russia’s attack on Ukraine one hundred percent. Therefore, what we are witnessing today from Russia in the expansion of diplomatic interactions and consultations is not coalition building, but to the extent of companionship and cooperation.

Emphasizing that the efforts of the West and the United States in providing financial support and military equipment to Ukraine continue, this expert on international issues said: This part of the ability of the West and the United States is an issue in which Russia has a serious weakness, therefore it should interact with countries that are partially compatible with Moscow’s policies, otherwise, it will not be able to continue this tension and conflict. Vietnam and North Korea did not approve Russia’s attack on Ukraine, and Putin’s visit to these countries is only in line with bilateral cooperation. In the best case, Russia can show a political trend along with itself in this challenge, which it has been in for two years, and not a political bloc. Russia knows very well that North Korea is not a reliable country in terms of security and political positions and measures, and sometimes makes decisions that create tension and increase costs, but today it is inevitably approaching this country, because it probably wants to use North Korean missiles in the Ukraine war. to neutralize the situation created by the West.

said: Since Ukraine enjoys international support, especially from the European Union the United States, Russia is trying to show that the war in Ukraine is not only Russia’s war and that this country is not alone in its war with Ukraine by expanding its interactions and relations with neighboring countries.

Regarding the continuation of European and American sanctions against Russia and Moscow’s response to the economic pressure it is facing, he said: sanctions cost every country, and Russia, like other countries, sooner or later will have to start a dialogue in order to end the sanctions issue. Of course, unlike the sanctions against Iran, Iraq and Myanmar, which had an international dimension, the sanctions against Russia do not have international dimensions, rather, they are sanctioned only by the European Union and the United States. Of course, it must be difficult and effective for Russia, which has significant international interactions in the financial and banking fields with the world, after all, the global economy is tied to European and American banks.

Referring to the upcoming political developments until the end of 2024 and its impact on the conflict between Russia and the West, this expert on international issues stated: the challenge between the West and Russia will remain strong, unless the American and European elections go in a direction where Republicans and rightists  take over In this case, although the tension may not end in Russia’s favor, it will probably give Putin some space to end the war while preserving Russia’s international prestige. But if political changes do not occur at this level, the challenge between the West and Russia will continue due to the developments that have occurred, including the extension of European and American sanctions against Russia and the continuation of Western financial and military support for Ukraine.

Zakarian said: Of course, it should be noted that if the Republicans in America or the right-wings come to power in Europe, they will not establish friendly relations with the Russians, because they also make decisions based on their national interests. Indeed, they may change the way they support Ukraine, but Russia is not going to have the upper hand.

He stated that Russia’s response to NATO’s Eastward expansion policy was to occupy its peripheral areas in the first step, but this approach cannot be successful in the long run, and stated: If Russia occupies the whole of Ukraine and even if Eastern Europe in terms of territory, Russia will not be sure of securing its western borders; Because today, territorial expansion to gain power is not as important as a competitive economy. Today, development and power lie in being able to get the necessary qualitative benefit from the little land that exists. As Switzerland and Norway have been able to increase their rank in the world in terms of economy and wealth with the qualitative productivity of their land. Even the Chinese have gone to increase their power in the economic sphere in order to neutralize the American pressure on them, so it is unlikely that Russia will be able to succeed in the future by continuing the current approach.

Zakarian said that China’s cooperation with Russia at some points after the attack on Ukraine was to get concessions from America. Therefore, Russia has to adapt its standards to global standards as much as possible.