The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with Russia’s Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) of the Russian Academy of Sciences, hosted a high level roundtable discussion on European and Eurasian security, bringing together Pakistani and Russian scholars to examine evolving geopolitical dynamics and their regional and global implications.
The event, organised by the Centre for Strategic Perspectives (CSP), was titled “European and Eurasian Security: Views from Islamabad and Moscow.”
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman of the ISSI Board of Governors, noted that the current decade has witnessed profound shifts in global politics and security, with significant consequences for Pakistan due to its strategic location and linkages with Eurasia.
He stressed the importance of informed and nuanced dialogue on emerging challenges and reaffirmed ISSI’s commitment to sustained engagement with leading international research institutions, including IMEMO.
Delivering the opening address, IMEMO Director Dr. Fedor Voitlovsky appreciated the long-standing partnership between the two institutions, describing it as an important platform for strengthening academic, political, and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Russia.
He highlighted opportunities for expanded bilateral collaboration in infrastructure development, energy security, technology, and innovation.
Dr. Voitlovsky observed that Russia views European and Eurasian security as interconnected domains.
He said Moscow had long sought an inclusive European security framework after the Cold War but argued that NATO-centric approaches and successive rounds of the alliance’s expansion eroded trust and weakened arms control mechanisms.
He added that Russia is now promoting a broader Eurasian security vision based on equality, mutual respect, and inclusive cooperation within a multipolar world order.
Dr. Maria Khorolskaya described the period between 2014 and 2022 as a turning point in Russia–West relations. She linked the current crisis to NATO’s eastward expansion, intensified rivalry in the post Soviet space, and the weakening of arms control frameworks.
She also noted that European rearmament has been driven by uncertainty over US commitments and structural limitations within the EU’s defence sector.
Highlighting emerging economic and strategic frameworks, Dr. Gleb Makarevich discussed initiatives such as the Eurasian Economic Union, its linkage with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and the concept of the Greater Eurasian Partnership.
He said these mechanisms offer flexible and development oriented avenues for regional cooperation and present Pakistan with opportunities to engage in mutually beneficial projects.
Pakistani scholar Mr. Taimur Khan said Eurasian security should be viewed as complementary to European security rather than a substitute.
He noted that Pakistan’s approach remains pragmatic, focused on regional stability, economic development, connectivity, and strategic autonomy.
Other Pakistani experts, including Prof. Dr. Adam Saud, Dr. Saira Nawaz Abbasi, Prof. Tughral Yamin, and Prof. Shabbir Khan, shared their assessments of how European and Eurasian security developments could impact South Asia, regional connectivity, and emerging geopolitical alignments.
The roundtable concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session on NATO–Russia relations, arms control, and great power competition. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Neelum Nigar, Director CSP, and ended with the presentation of mementoes to the visiting scholars.
