Russia-Ukraine Crisis, NATO and Regional Security Matters -By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh

Building on the security concerns and achievements primarily in the Central Asian and Eurasian regions has been the main focus for Russia. The current global instability and rapidly changing geopolitical situation, combined with the Russia-Ukraine crisis, demand that Russia tightly strengthen its security, particularly along its borders with the Baltic and Europe. The Baltic States and European Union members are an inseparable part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), backing Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the former Soviet region. The Russia-Ukraine crisis, already in its third year since Feb. 2022, has to some extent shattered and impacted of the global economy and twisted relations between countries.

Within the context of ensuring regional stability and protection from unjustifiable conditions, and ultimately addressing the internal goals of sustainable economic transformations and providing better lives for its people, Moscow’s 13th international conference of highly-positioned representatives in charge of security issues turned out to be extremely significant. The conference, held on May 27-29 in Moscow, gathered many delegations, especially from Asia and Africa, in addition to the Central Asia and Eurasian region. More than 40 African delegations, including the African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), participated, according to the press service of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.

“Large-scale geopolitical changes have directly affected the interests of countries of the global South and East. The voice of African countries is being heard more and more clearly as they strive to conduct their foreign policy in the interests of their peoples and defend their right to freely choose how to move forward,” the Russian Security Council emphasized in an official statement ahead of the conference. “Russia has always helped its African partners in defending their sovereignty, national interests and their legitimate role in the system of international relations,” it added.

The 13th International Security Conference opened and reaffirming strong commitments to its significant status and authority. In a video-wired speech, President Vladimir Putin concretely underlined the substantial programme, with the main discussions dedicated to the prospects of establishing a new global security architecture. As for Russia, the approaches remain principled and unchanged. That is “the new security architecture must be equal and indivisible” – and that all states must receive firm guarantees of their security, but not at the expense of the security and interests of other countries.

Putin, however, believes that it is vital to make the whole continent a space of peace and stability, an example of sustainable economic, social, and cultural development. And that the foundation for creating such a universal security system could be the existing and well-established multilateral cooperation formats, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and many others. In essence, reference was made to the conference’s participating states of the Global South and East.

Today, it is especially important to preserve the truth, and this grossly reflected on a shared conviction for an integrated regional security, as Vladimir Putin again called for further deepening and broadening cooperation on security monitoring mechanisms, collaborated efforts for shaping a safer world, and for addressing existing and/or emerging global challenges.

Central Asian States, Eurasian States and African States have re-echoed those sentiments, framing statements around sustaining world peace and stability, as an essential ingredients for economic transformations. These States, together with Russia, strongly expressed unfairness over NATO’s expansion eastwards, shifting military operations closer to the borders of Russia. In addition, for instance, with plans of incorporating into the NATO alliance such countries as Finland, Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova.

In summing up the results of military technical cooperation in 2024, Putin reiterated the “defence industry keeps producing practically the entire range of military goods at maximum capacity.” The key priority remains the same, which is to meet all the needs of the units and detachments engaged in the Special Military Operation. Reminding here that ‘Special Military Operation’ was to de-militarize and de-nazify Ukraine, began in February 2022, under the presidential decree and on the approval of both State Duma (Lower Chamber of Legislators) and Federation Council (Senate).

In an assessment, Russia remains among the top five leaders of the global arms market and retains its leading export positions in many areas. This is another testimony to the high quality, reliability and effectiveness of the defence items we produce. Therefore, practically the entire range of Russian weaponry – from target acquisition and engagement systems to air defence systems, aircraft, unmanned systems and armoured vehicles – displays its effectiveness, undergoing rigorous testing not only on testing grounds or during drills but, crucially, on the ground and on the frontline, and in real combat. There is regular modernisation of the defence industry.

Russia considers the West’s emphasis on the principle of territorial integrity while completely ignoring the provision on the right of peoples to self-determination in the context of the Ukrainian conflict to be unacceptable, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at the conference. “We consider the West’s, as well as the heads of the UN Secretariat and other international bodies’ emphasis on the principle of territorial integrity while completely disregarding the right of nations to self-determination absolutely unacceptable,” he told the fully-packed hall of both local and foreign participants.

Lavrov recalled that the principle of self-determination became the international legal foundation for the decolonization process, bringing freedom to many countries in Africa and other regions of the world. “The international community has long provided a comprehensive response to the apparent conflict between the principles of territorial integrity and self-determination. In 1970, the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the UN Charter. It explicitly states that it is necessary to respect the territorial integrity of states whose governments represent the entire population living on a given territory and do not violate the right to self-determination,” Lavrov said.

Russia is witnessing attempts by NATO countries to militarize the Arctic region and Moscow’s reaction will be “both conceptual and practical,” Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at the opening of a plenary session of international socio-political hearings on the issues of shaping a single equitable security and cooperation system in Eurasia. That was two days after the International Security Conference.

“If we look at the continent’s north, we are registering brazen attempts to militarize the Arctic, seeking pretexts for deployment by NATO infrastructure,” he said. “These adverse trends require an adequate response, both conceptually and practically. We are confident that the majority of other Eurasian countries that cannot be satisfied with such a situation share this attitude,” the top Russian diplomat added.

According to Lavrov, Russia is not interested in an endless confrontation with any country. “Our interest is in ensuring reliable security, stability, and equal development conditions for all countries. We are confident that only this fair approach has the right to exist,” the Russian foreign minister emphasized.

The conference concluded with a few declarations. Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov and the Secretary of the Russian Security Council, Sergey Shoigu, unreservedly insisted that time was up for addressing the rising security threats and for maintaining global peace and stability. Both praised the high-level security participation at the conference, emphasizing the importance of examining and thoroughly assessing the security architecture. Belousov and Shoigu categorized NATO’s activities as provocations to Russia, and noted the strength of Russia’s military as well the consolidating regional security architecture. Both also noted persistent confrontation between Russia and the West in this new era of an emerging multipolar world.

In these crucial times, the biggest issue is resolving the Russia-Ukraine crisis. And Putin has been on a worldwide campaign trail, consistently establishing the fact that Ukraine comes under Russia’s control. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the former Soviet republics became independent states and claimed legitimacy for their territorial boundaries. Public opinion and sentiments are now directed at Beijing’s newly formed International Organization for Mediation, through consensus-building dialogue, that could influence, provide “Chinese wisdom” for resolving the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Several BRICS members, including Brazil, China, India, and South Africa, have made unsuccessful attempts at strategic peace initiatives during these three years with Russia and Ukraine.

The International Organization for Mediation body, headquartered in Hong Kong, aims to help promote the amicable resolution of international disputes and build more harmonious global relations. Beijing has touted the organization as the world’s first intergovernmental legal organization for resolving disputes through mediation, saying it will be an important mechanism in safeguarding the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. It also positioned Hong Kong as an international legal and dispute resolution services center in Asia. The establishment ceremony was attended by representatives from some 50 other countries and about 20 organizations, including the United Nations.

Without much doubt, Russia still faces remarkable and daunting challenges, and these have raised questions about its future. Russia wants to overcome the existing development roadblocks and make way for practical development, utilizing the resources and further collaborating with key friendly external players. Besides the questions discussed above, Russia views the United Nations as a unique institution, the present-day world still needs several operations. Meanwhile, Russia will soon come out with an initiative on holding a global forum that will emphasize the indispensable nature of the United Nations in today’s world, one of the decisions taken at the 23rd International Likhachev Scientific Readings.

Kestér Kenn Klomegâh has a diverse work experience in the field of policy research and business consultancy. His focused interest includes geopolitical changes, foreign relations and economic development related questions in Africa with key global powers.