EU and NATO identified as obstacles to Russia-Ukraine war settlement

International relations expert Hossam Al-Baqi'i asserts that the European Union and NATO are the primary obstacles to reaching a settlement in the Russia-Ukraine war. He suggests that Europe seeks to prevent a Russian victory and is reluctant to end the conflict while Russia continues to make territorial gains on the ground.

Al-Baqi'i noted that Russia has become convinced it is fighting NATO rather than just Ukraine. He further characterized Ukraine as having transitioned into a tool for fulfilling European interests rather than acting as a sovereign state facing an external enemy.

The expert also highlighted a strategic shift involving the United States, pointing to a visit by the U.S. intelligence director to Moscow in August to meet President Vladimir Putin. He described this meeting as a sign of the “deep state” returning to manage the Ukraine conflict file.