In an interview with the website of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, Kazem Sharif Kazemi, referred to the allocation of a new European aid of one billion euros to Ukraine for the purchase of missiles, as well as the most extensive package of German military support for Ukraine and clarified: The effects and consequences of the recent war in Ukraine for the US and The European Union have been entirely different, to such an extent that the United States not only did not suffer much from this war but also brought benefits to that country.

He added: Now, the management of disputes in the war conditions in Ukraine and their non-emergence has prevented Europe from continuing the protests more seriously. The differences between the members of the European Union are also evident. Still, the crisis is so big and serious, and the future of global geopolitics is so unclear that it has caused such differences and faults to become inactive.

The expert on Europe affairs reminded: The European Union is supposed to allocate 18 billion euros in loans to Kyiv this year to help fill the budget gap of about 3 to 4 billion dollars per month. In addition, the US financial aid, IMF loans, and bilateral aid will also help compensate for other parts of this budget deficit in Ukraine. Ukraine has announced that it needs another 18 billion euros in 2024, and considering that the European Union plans to review its budget in June, it should be seen how Europe will be able to compensate for this deficit in Ukraine’s budget.

Sharif Kazemi, referring to the continuation of the military and financial aid of the European Union, despite the many problems of the member states, continued: Ukraine has been important for Europe since the beginning of the collapse of the Soviet Union. Therefore it has always tried to distance this important country from Russia as much as possible and bring it closer to the norms of Europe and put increasing and multifaceted pressure on Russia and limit it can also be evaluated in this framework.

Recalling that some Western theorists believe that Russia without Ukraine cannot have global influence and role-playing and will only be a limited regional power, he noted: Europe is doing its best to ensure that Ukraine will not lose the war and will not fall under the control of Russia. Some European analysts said that with the outbreak of the Ukraine war, Russia lost Ukraine forever. If this war leads to peace and a ceasefire in any way, Europe and the West have this trump card that separation and coldness will become dominant in the relations between Ukraine and Russia because the narratives created by the Western media and the economic, historical, and public effects it made, seem to remain in the historical memory of the majority of Ukrainian people for years.

The expert on Europe affairs, stating that with the outbreak of the Ukraine war and its consequences, Europe has been wholly weakened in the strategic field, added: Until the public opinion in the European Union does not gain the necessary power to pressure the governments to change their approach, considering the current conditions and the role and interest of the US in the continuation of the war, dispatching financial and military aid to Ukraine will continue and European countries will not have a fundamental change in their strategies.

He reminded: Unless the pressure of public opinion, anti-war power, anti-current economic conditions, prevailing inflation, and massive migrations can limit the actions of European countries. It is clear from the national policies of European Union countries that some countries have more economic problems, more public protests, and generally have more severe and different considerations in relations with Russia. However, they do not have serious objections to this practice at the national level of the Union and show less support for the Union’s anti-Russian measures.

Sharif Kazemi said: Under the current conditions, the US interests are still in the continuation of the war. The psychological and political atmosphere, especially in the first few months of the beginning of the war, was so intense that no country, media, or political activist dared to express an opinion about negotiations and a cease-fire because, in this case, would be condemned to support Russia and, in their view, the Russia aggressive policies, and this situation can be seen in the announcement of more flexible positions by the Hungarian and sometimes French authorities, who emphasized the need to pay attention to the ceasefire.

He stated: Continuation of financial and military aid from Europe and in the shadow of the threat of war expansion can strengthen the anti-war and anti-immigration movements and put Europe in a difficult situation. On the other hand, the issue of the war in Ukraine has become an unpleasant and erosive issue in the public opinion of Europe, and this situation is intensifying. The objections to the principle of Europe’s entry into the war and especially its effects from the immigration and economic dimension are visible. The evidence shows that European public opinion is managed in this field, and the recognition of its control and direction is prominent. In other words, the multi-layered narration of the war is essential along with the major war in the field and directly affects the parties’ resilience.

Sharif Kazemi emphasized: If the current conditions continue, European countries with the US centrality will continue to pressure Russia. Although Ukraine has somehow become a burnt land, they are trying to place this country within the framework of European influence and the West. With the continuation of this war and the spread of its consequences, Ukraine will be subject to Western policies for decades and will become more distant from Russia.

According to the expert on Europe affairs, with the continuation of military support for Ukraine, this war will not end shortly; unless new essential variables such as China’s profound role in mediation, increase in inflation in the European Union, and the spread of anti-war and immigration protests can play a role in creating the conditions for the start of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Otherwise, the US desires to continue the war and weaken Russia and Europe. The authorities of European countries are still determined to continue military aid to Ukraine.