Pakistani and Russian Scholars Exchange Views on Evolving Eurasian Security Dynamics
ISLAMABAD : The Centre for Strategic Perspectives (CSP) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) of the Russian Academy of Sciences, hosted a roundtable discussion titled “European and Eurasian Security: Views from Islamabad and Moscow.”
The dialogue brought together Pakistani and Russian scholars to examine evolving security dynamics in Europe and Eurasia and assess their wider regional and global implications.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman of the Board of Governors, ISSI, said the 2020s have witnessed profound shifts in global politics and security, carrying significant implications for Pakistan due to its geography and strategic links with Eurasia. He stressed the importance of informed and nuanced dialogue on these developments and reaffirmed ISSI’s commitment to sustained engagement with leading international research institutions, including IMEMO.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Fedor Voitlovsky, Director of IMEMO, expressed appreciation for the long-standing partnership between IMEMO and ISSI, describing it as a valuable investment in strengthening academic, political, and economic cooperation between Russia and Pakistan. He highlighted potential areas for enhanced collaboration, including infrastructure development, energy security, technology, and innovation.
Dr. Voitlovsky noted that Russia has traditionally viewed European and Eurasian security as interconnected rather than separate domains. He said that during much of the post-Cold War period, Moscow sought an inclusive European security order and closer political and economic integration with Europe. However, he argued that differing conceptual approaches, particularly the NATO-centric Euro-Atlantic security framework, undermined prospects for inclusivity. He identified successive rounds of NATO expansion as a key source of mistrust, declining interdependence, and the erosion of arms control and cooperative security mechanisms, adding that Russia is now advancing a broader Eurasian security vision within a polycentric world order based on equality and mutual respect for national interests.
Dr. Maria Khorolskaya described the period from 2014 to 2022 as a decisive turning point in Russia–West relations. She traced the post-2022 security crisis to tensions surrounding the principle of indivisible security, NATO’s eastward expansion, intensified competition in the post-Soviet space, and the weakening of arms control regimes. She said Russia has sought security guarantees, including limits on NATO expansion and force deployments, while noting that European rearmament has been influenced by uncertainty over US commitments, continued reliance on American defence supplies, and structural constraints within the EU defence sector.
Dr. Gleb Makarevich highlighted developments in the Eurasian security landscape, citing initiatives such as the Eurasian Economic Union, its linkage with the Belt and Road Initiative, and the concept of the Greater Eurasian Partnership. He described this framework as flexible and development-oriented, encompassing economic integration, security cooperation, and responses to shared challenges, and noted that Pakistan has opportunities to engage constructively in Eurasian institutional processes.
Mr. Taimur Khan said Eurasian security should be viewed as complementary and adaptive rather than a substitute for European security. He noted that Pakistan approaches Eurasian security pragmatically, focusing on regional stability, economic development, connectivity, and strategic autonomy, while remaining attentive to developments in European security that influence global norms and crisis management.
Pakistani scholars, including Prof. Dr. Adam Saud, Dr. Saira Nawaz Abbasi, Prof. Tughral Yamin, and Prof. Shabbir Khan, shared their perspectives on the implications of European and Eurasian security dynamics for South Asia, regional connectivity, and emerging geopolitical alignments.
The discussion concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session covering NATO–Russia relations, arms control, Eurasian institutional frameworks, and the impact of great-power competition on regional and global stability. The session was moderated by Dr. Neelum Nigar, Director CSP, ISSI, and concluded with the presentation of mementoes to the speakers by Ambassador Khalid Mahmood.
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