Pakistan helped avert Iran–US war, says Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi at SPIEF

Monitoring Desk: Leading diplomats, policymakers, strategic analysts, media professionals, and academics from Pakistan and Russia will participate in a high-level international webinar titled “Pakistan and Russia: Bilateral Relationship at the Cusp of Shifting Global Order” on June 9, 2026, at the University of World Civilizations (UWCM), Moscow.

The event aims to examine the changing geopolitical landscape and the future trajectory of Pakistan-Russia relations amid evolving global dynamics, regional conflicts, and emerging diplomatic realignments.

According to the organizers, discussions will focus on the implications of recent developments in the Middle East, particularly the impact of the US-Israel confrontation with Iran, Pakistan’s role in regional diplomacy and conflict de-escalation, and prospects for enhanced Russia-Pakistan strategic cooperation.

Opening Session The webinar will begin with inaugural remarks by Dr. Neelum Nigar, Director of the Center for Strategic Perspective (CSP) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), Pakistan.

A keynote address from a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation is expected to set the tone for the discussions, followed by a keynote speech by Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division).

Session I:

Strategic Cooperation and Eurasian Stability The first session, moderated by Dr. Roxolana Zigon, will feature presentations by senior diplomats and regional experts.

Former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister and veteran diplomat Ambassador Tariq Fatemi will deliver a lecture titled “Russia and Pakistan: Navigating Strategic Sustainability at the Cusp of Shifting Global Order.” His presentation is expected to explore opportunities and challenges facing bilateral relations in an increasingly multipolar world.

Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi will present “The Role of Pakistan in the Multipolar World Re-configuration: Islamabad Peace Talks as a First Milestone of the New Diplomacy.” He is expected to discuss Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives and its role in facilitating regional dialogue.

Russian scholar Dr. Natalia Zamaraeva of the Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, will address participants on “Russia and Pakistan: the Incentives for Reaching a Closer Strategic Partnership Through Trade, Connectivity and Humanitarian Ties.” Her lecture will focus on economic cooperation, connectivity projects, and people-to-people engagement.

Former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and former Ambassador to China and the United States, Ambassador Masood Khan, will present “Russia, South and Central Asia: Building a Long-term Strategic Stability on a Space of Greater Eurasia.” His remarks are expected to highlight regional security frameworks and Eurasian integration.

A question-and-answer session will follow before concluding remarks by Dr. Zigon.

Session II:

Sovereignty, Media and Strategic Communication The second session will be moderated by James Neish, host of World Tonight on AsiaOne News.

Former Pakistani Senator and diplomat Ms. Sherry Rehman will deliver a lecture titled “The Transformation of the National Sovereignty, Security, Governance and Leadership Concept of Pakistan in the Post-Iran War Era.” She is expected to analyze the implications of regional conflicts on Pakistan’s governance and security policies.

Dimitri Alexander Simes, Head of Sputnik International at Rossiya Segodnya, will speak on “The Strategic Communication and Media Ties Vacuum Between Russia and Pakistan: Reasons and Venues for Fulfillment.” His presentation will focus on strengthening media cooperation and information exchange between the two countries.

Renowned Pakistani journalist Talat Hussain will address the role of media in bilateral relations through his presentation “The Role of Modern Media in Assisting Russian and Pakistani Societies to Build Stronger Mutual Confidence, P2P and B2B Contacts.” He is expected to discuss media-driven opportunities for cultural, educational, and business cooperation.

Russian political scientist Leonid Savin, Chief Editor of Geopolitika.ru and founder of the Journal of Eurasian Affairs, will conclude the session with a lecture titled “The Illusions and Dilemmas of the Strategic Alignments at the Pivotal Moment of Global Transformation.” His analysis will examine changing geopolitical alliances and emerging global power structures.

Closing Session:

The webinar will conclude with remarks by Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), who will summarize key outcomes of the discussions and outline future directions for Pakistan-Russia engagement.

A formal vote of thanks will be delivered by Dr. Roxolana Zigon.

Key Issues Under Discussion Participants will examine a broad range of strategic issues, including:

Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions between Iran and the United States.

The future of the Islamabad peace dialogue initiative.

Russia’s role in regional and global geopolitical reconfiguration.

Prospects for a new strategic alignment between Pakistan and Russia.

Emerging concepts of sovereignty, governance, and leadership in a changing international order.

Development of new connectivity and logistics networks linking South Asia, Central Asia, and Eurasia.

Technological sovereignty and resilience against geopolitical and economic challenges.

Future foreign policy and national security planning between Islamabad and Moscow.

Opportunities for cooperation in science, innovation, technology, education, and investment.

Measures to strengthen strategic communication and media ties between the two countries.

Russian Participants Among the Russian participants are Dr. Roxolana Zigon, a prominent international relations expert and founder of the Foreign Policy Public Forum Diplomat Speaks; Dr. Natalia Zamaraeva of the Institute of Oriental Studies; Leonid Savin, noted Eurasian political analyst; and Dimitri Alexander Simes, senior international media executive and journalist.

Organizers say the webinar will bring together diplomats, scholars, strategic analysts, and international relations experts from both countries to generate practical recommendations for enhancing Pakistan-Russia cooperation in diplomacy, security, trade, technology, media, and regional connectivity amid a rapidly evolving global order.