Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
He believes Ukraine is being used as a “geopolitical battering ram”.
The Korean War from 1950 to 1953 was considered a proxy war between the US and the Soviet Union, as was the Vietnam War, the Soviet-Afghan War, and several other conflicts throughout history.
A proxy war is an indirect conflict between major powers, where they support smaller countries or non-state actors to promote their own strategic interests. The idea is that the major powers avoid direct engagement.
In the Vietnam War, for example, the Soviet Union did send over 3,000 soldiers to North Vietnam, but there were never any direct front-line infantry engagements against US forces.
Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, it has been debated whether the war in Eastern Europe is actually a proxy war between the West and Russia. The argument is that even though no Western forces are directly engaging Russian forces, the continued support of Ukraine from the West constitutes proxy warfare.
That being said, several experts, such as Dr. Vlad Mykhnenko from St. Peter’s College, argue that the war in Ukraine is not a proxy war, as Russia did indeed invade Ukraine.
However, it seems that Russia has a different opinion, although Russia’s Foreign Minister seems to think that the war has now moved beyond what can be called a proxy war.
No longer just proxy
According to the Ukrainian outlet Dzerkalo Tyzhnia, Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, recently claimed that Western nations are no longer acting indirectly but are now in open confrontation with Russia.
He described Ukraine as being used strategically against Moscow in what he portrayed as a broader geopolitical struggle.
The Russian foreign minister argued that Western expansion across Eurasia has contributed to instability. He said these moves have affected areas where Russia believes it holds “legitimate interests.”
Battering ram
Lavrov stated that efforts to weaken Russia have intensified into what he called an overt campaign.
He claimed that “the Kyiv regime and the Ukrainian state are being openly used as a geopolitical battering ram.”
He also referenced comments by European military officials about future preparedness. These remarks, he suggested, indicate that Ukraine is being used to buy time for Western forces.
“Some frank guys, I think in the Belgian General Staff or the German one, stated publicly that we are preparing for a war with Russia, and Ukraine is helping us win time,” Lavrov said.
“As they say, it couldn’t be any more frank.”
Stalled diplomacy
Lavrov’s comments come amid ongoing diplomatic deadlock.
Earlier negotiations in Geneva failed to produce progress, largely due to Moscow’s firm territorial demands.
He has previously emphasized that Russia’s military objectives remain the priority, rather than adhering to timelines.
As the conflict continues, statements from both Moscow and Western officials suggest little immediate prospect of de-escalation.
Sources: United24Media, Dzerkalo Tyzhnia, University of Oxford
