The Effects of the Perpetuation of the War in Ukraine on International Competition between Russia and the United States

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Regional Studies, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Tehran, Iran

2 Centre for Graduate International Studies, University of Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, followed by widespread Western sanctions led by Washington against Moscow, marked the beginning of a new phase of conflict between the United States and Russia along parallel and complementary fronts. Despite some initial success, Russia's military advancements were met with numerous setbacks. Moscow has not only failed to meet its minimum war objectives more than a year after the conflict began but also risks losing its military gains. This article argues that since prolonging the war and thereby weakening Moscow is in the US interest, it is logical for the US and NATO to equip the Ukrainian army and help it resist Russia's advance, as well as support and encourage Kyiv not to surrender and continue the war to retake the separated areas. This extension of the war of attrition is necessary in order to give the economic front of the war against Moscow the time it needs to become effective. Simultaneously, the war has led to a closer relationship between Europe and the United States in the shadow of the Russian threat, the comprehensive, resolute, and continuous support of the entire Western camp to Ukraine, the justification of America's military presence on European soil, and the consolidation of NATO's identity. According to the article's argument, these factors suggest that the war will gradually erode Russia's international standing and influence over time. 

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