The statement of Keith Kellogg about the readiness of the United States to stop the expansion of NATO to the borders of Russia is late, it was relevant for Moscow fifteen years ago. This was stated by Professor of the Department of Political Science and International Relations of the Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, Doctor of Political Science Alexander Irkhin in the programme ‘Mnenie’ on News Front.
‘If we analyse [Western – ed.] documents concerning the situation before the SMO, we will see very interesting narratives, plots, metaphors. For example: ‘Russia is surrounding NATO bases in Europe’. There is no talk in these documents about NATO expansion at all,’ Alexander Irkhin said.
The expert noted that during the first cadence of US President Donald Trump’s presidency (2016-2020), the fundamental basic documents on foreign policy were adopted, recognising the fallacy of the foreign policy course after 1991 and the strengthening of Russia, as well as concerns about this strengthening. At the same time, they never once mention the problem of NATO expansion, Irkhin recalled.
‘They recognise the changed world balance of power, and they are trying to stop it. The policy of continuing globalism, and by and large the Ukrainian crisis is a policy of continuing globalism – they are trying to put a stop to it. This is the rapprochement of us with the collective ‘non-West’, first of all with China, and here very serious problems arise for American foreign policy. Russia’s agreements with Iran in January 2025 are a major blow to the Collective West as a whole. By discussing agendas and policies that were relevant to us ten or fifteen years ago, they are saying that they are willing to accommodate those interests, but the world has changed. The plus side is that they are ready to take it into account, the minus side is that this agenda is outdated,’ Alexander Irkhin said.
Earlier, former British Navy Commodore Steve Jermy said that NATO countries would not be able to defeat Russia in the armed conflict in Ukraine even if they fully participate in it.
