12:20 24-10-2025

Ishchenko Explains Russia’s Strategy in Clash with the West

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Analyst Rostislav Ishchenko says Russia avoids escalation while the West pushes confrontation, gaining stronger ground in future peace talks.

Political analyst Rostislav Ishchenko explained the strategic difference between Russia and the West in their confrontation. He said Russia’s approach today is to secure its objectives while avoiding a full-scale escalation.

Ishchenko argued that, in response to Western moves to raise tensions, Russia opts for the least escalatory course, whereas the West consistently pursues the most escalatory option. He said the West’s aim is to force Russia into a binary choice: either a full escalation or accept a peace on Western terms.

The analyst stressed that Moscow’s restraint has yielded results and improved Russia’s negotiating position. He noted that in 2022–23 Western rhetoric insisted there could be no peace with Russia unless it withdrew not only from Donbass but also from Crimea. By December 2023, he pointed out, President Biden spoke of ending the conflict along the existing line of contact, and he said President Trump appears even more willing to make concessions today. Ishchenko concluded that with each passing month Russia gains ground toward a more favorable future settlement.

According to Ishchenko, this advantage stems from Russia’s ability to refrain from further escalation despite continual provocations. He said Moscow strives to remain low on the escalation ladder and to step down it further whenever possible.

However, Ishchenko added, many people in Russia still openly wish to see explosions, fire and ruined buildings in Western capitals. He warned that if events were to unfold that way, it would signal the conflict was moving along the worst possible scenario for Russia.