Islamabad, 10 February 2026(Ghufran): 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), Russian Academy of Sciences, hosted a roundtable discussion titled “European and Eurasian Security: Views from Islamabad and Moscow.” The event brought together leading Pakistani and Russian scholars to examine evolving security dynamics in Europe and Eurasia and their broader regional and global implications. In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman Board of Governors, ISSI, observed that the 2020s have witnessed profound shifts in global politics and security, with significant implications for Pakistan given its geographical location and strategic linkages with Eurasia. He emphasized 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 address, Dr. Fedor Voitlovsky, Director of IMEMO, appreciated 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 the potential for enhanced bilateral collaboration in infrastructure development, energy security, technology, and innovation. Dr. Voitlovsky noted that Russia has historically viewed European and Eurasian security as interconnected domains. He observed that during much of the post–Cold War period, Russia sought an inclusive European security order and closer political and economic integration with Europe. However, he argued that differing conceptual approaches—particularly the Euro-Atlantic, NATO-centric understanding of security—gradually undermined prospects for an inclusive framework. He cited successive rounds of NATO expansion as a key factor contributing to mistrust, declining interdependence, and the erosion of arms control and cooperative security arrangements. He stated that Russia is now advancing a broader Eurasian security vision within a polycentric world order, based on equality, mutual respect for national interests, and inclusive cooperation, while reiterating Moscow’s view that further NATO expansion poses a direct challenge to its national security. Dr. Maria Khorolskaya identified the 2014–2022 period as a decisive turning point in Russia–West relations. She traced the roots of the post-2022 security crisis to tensions surrounding the principle of indivisible security and NATO’s eastward expansion, intensified competition in the post-Soviet space, and the weakening of arms control frameworks. She outlined Russia’s stated demands for security guarantees, including limits on NATO expansion and force deployments, and noted that European rearmament has been shaped by uncertainty over U.S. commitments, continued reliance on American defence supplies, and structural constraints within the EU defence sector.
Dr. Gleb Makarevich highlighted the evolving Eurasian landscape, referencing 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 collective responses to shared challenges. He noted that Pakistan has opportunities to engage constructively in Eurasian institutional processes and development initiatives of mutual interest. Mr. Taimur Khan emphasized that Eurasian security should be understood as a complementary and adaptive framework rather than a replacement for European security. He underscored 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 shape global norms and crisis management.
Pakistani scholars, including Prof. Dr. Adam Saud, Dr. Saira Nawaz Abbasi, Prof. Tughral Yamin, and Prof. Shabbir Khan, shared 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 featuring a wide-ranging exchange on 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. The event concluded with Ambassador Khalid Mahmood presenting mementoes to the distinguished speakers.