In a recent statement, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Alexander Grushko, has voiced concerns over the possible involvement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, if Washington seeks to “legitimize” its actions, as reported by the German News Agency. Grushko made this remark at the sidelines of the 16th Eurasian Economic Forum in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, which was relayed by Novosti agency on Saturday.
Grushko pointed out that currently, NATO doesn’t seem keen on taking a forefront position in this issue. However, the scenario might change if the United States feels the need to legitimize its stance or actions in the region, possibly bringing NATO into the fray. According to the Deputy Minister, there exists no communication between Russia and NATO at the moment, including discussions regarding the Middle East conflict.
Elaborating further, Grushko stressed that Moscow clearly sees NATO’s intent as globalizing the alliance and expanding the scope of the Washington Treaty on the ground. He added that NATO had long formulated plans for interaction with partners in the Middle East, but many forms of such cooperation have been stalled due to contradictions between Israel and the Arab world. Efforts might be made to revive this cooperation and boost the alliance’s standing in the region, leveraging already established bases in several countries.
Grushko continued, explaining that the primary Western player in the Middle East is the United States, which acts when it deems necessary, without seeking permission from its allies. He cited the war in Iraq as an example, where two NATO countries vehemently opposed the American operations. Yet, whenever Washington needs to legitimize its actions, it tries to gather as many countries as possible to support its cause.
The Eurasian Economic Forum gathers business representatives, diplomats, heads of Russian and Italian commercial and public institutions, and key public figures on a single platform. Traditionally organized by the Russian Roscongress Foundation, the St.
Petersburg International Economic Forum, and the non-profit Italian We Know Eurasia Foundation, the forum serves as a conduit for dialogues and discussions that transcend geographical and political boundaries.
This development hints at the fragile equilibrium of international alliances and the ever-complex geopolitical landscape. With the Middle East being a historical hotspot for geopolitical tensions, the potential involvement of NATO, as speculated by Russia, could present a new chapter in the enduring saga of East-West relations.
