Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine is at the heart of the world developments. Regarding Russia’s dispute with the United States, NATO and European countries over Ukraine, it is necessary to pay attention to some points:

First point: There are two general views on Russian military operations in Ukraine: on the basis of the first glance, the Russian government is the main culprit in what is happening in Ukraine. This view holds that Kremlin is encroaching Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity with an aim of restoring power and grandeur of the former Soviet Union. This view is mainly published and republished in Western political circles and media.

Second view, which stands opposite to the first point, believes that events in Ukraine are the result of actions and policies the origin of which should be traced back to the United States and Europe. According to this view, which is largely realistic and logical, the United States is the main driver of the war and conflict in Ukraine. Although, the Russian military operation in Ukraine, which is considered as a violation of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and has put pressure on the Ukrainian people with the spread of instability, insecurity and economic crisis, is completely a rejected and indefensible measure.

Second point: NATO expansion to the east and western borders of Russia is the most important context for the conflict in Ukraine and Russian military operations in that country. Preventing NATO from expanding to the east and hindering deployment of its equipment on Russia’s western borders is one of the main clauses of Russia’s foreign policy, national security and military doctrines, as it is seen as a fundamental threat to its security and territorial integrity.

NATO’s expansion to the east is a fundamental “red line” for Russia, especially its president who is a calculating politician and, as was to be expected, its violation has provoked a strong reaction from Russia in Ukraine.

Third point: The United States, despite being aware of Russia’s real and constant sensitivities to NATO’s presence near its borders, has always sought to expand NATO to Russia’s western borders. As a result of US attempts, 14 countries out of the former Soviet republics have joined NATO since 1997. Recently, the United States was trying to bring Ukraine into NATO.

The White House has taken advantage of NATO expansion eastward as a low-cost tool to disrupt Russian peace. In this regard, NATO’s tense actions on Russia’s western borders should be considered as one of the main factors in exacerbating the crisis in Ukraine. What is a “principle” for Putin himself, is to prevent NATO from expanding eastward at any cost.

Moscow cannot remain indifferent to the “violation” of its security red lines. Russia knows that if it falls short of crossing its main red line against the United States and the West today, it will certainly be under NATO security and military siege on all sides in the near future.

Fourth point: In the Ukraine crisis, the deception of Ukraine by the United States, NATO and some European countries can be clearly seen. Ukraine, once the world’s third-largest nuclear power, is now almost alone on the battlefield with Russia.

In response to Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, the US administration has officially announced that ‘it will not send troops to Ukraine to fight Russia’. US President Joe Biden in a statement, while emphasizing that ‘they suffer from illegal and unjustified attacks of the military’, called on the world to ‘pray for the people of Ukraine!’ NATO and the European Union have stated the same US positions in another literature.

Public opinion, the political elite, and the Ukrainian government must be well aware of the fact that the US view of Ukraine was an “instrumental” one. The White House, on the path of competition with Russia, has abandoned Ukraine. Ukrainians should be aware that for years they have been a toy in the policies of the United States, some European countries and NATO.

This is a great lesson for all the countries that have turned to NATO and the United States in the West and the East. The United States even betrays its partners and leaves them alone at critical junctures. Today, it does not matter what will happen to Ukraine and its people. What matters is the American national interest that must be maintained. Ukraine must also pay for it.

Fifth point: Simultaneously with the Russian military operation in Ukraine, we are witnessing strengthening of the armaments and military capabilities of the United States and NATO member states in Eastern Europe, including Poland, Romania and Hungary. This is primarily to increase military threats and pressure on Russia, rather than to help Ukraine.

The United States and Europe, on the one hand, want an end to Russia’s military operations in Ukraine, and on the other hand, they are intensifying provocative factors against Russia! Strengthening the military power of the United States and NATO members in Eastern Europe is a factor that not only does not prevent the tension in Ukraine to ease, but also leads to the expansion of the depth and scope of the crisis and the beginning of another round of military conflicts!

Therefore, what is happening in Ukraine, while it will pose challenges for Russia, must be traced back to US expansionist strategies in the periphery of Russia and the international system. The United States is primarily responsible for all that is happening in Ukraine by constantly inciting NATO’s expansion into Russia’s periphery and trying to militarize Eastern European countries.

Final point

The policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran towards the crisis in Ukraine is based on its national interests and security. The Islamic Republic of Iran, while rejecting resort to war and shedding the blood of innocent people, also condemns the provocative actions of the United States, NATO and some European countries in the periphery of Russia, especially in Ukraine, and considers it a provocative for fanning the flames of war and conflict in the region with an aim of taking political, economic and military-security advantage.