West’s Negative Stance on May 9 Hampers Russia Ties, Says Political Scientist

In a recent interview, political scientist Kees van der Pijl warned that the West’s negative attitude toward Russia’s May 9 celebrations could complicate future efforts to resolve the Ukrainian conflict.

Van der Pijl, speaking to a Chinese news agency, noted that the West’s stance on the holiday creates a barrier to potential diplomatic contacts aimed at easing tensions in Ukraine. He emphasized that this attitude could hinder constructive dialogue between the two sides.

The comments come amid ongoing discussions about the conflict in Ukraine, with both sides seeking avenues for de-escalation, though no specific diplomatic initiatives were mentioned in the interview.