The author writes:

• “The conflict, which is in fact a hybrid war, between Russia and the U.S. and Europe, can be seen as a condition that will make the ‘turn to the East’ no longer an option, but a necessity, and thus force the Russian state to take it seriously. ... [O]ne can make several assumptions that are directly related to what place relations with Asia will occupy for Russia in the coming years.”
  • “First, relations with China and, especially, other Asian states are still no way to resolve problems of an existential nature.”
  • “Second, Russia will have to solve the key tasks of national development on its own, without relying on external sources of technology, not to mention finances.”
  • “Third, it must be taken into account that even the most active ties in Asia cannot supplant relations with the states of the Islamic world, neighboring countries and, in fact, Europe, where not everyone is inclined to build walls on their eastern border.”
• “Relations with the Asian countries are indeed becoming not a choice, but a necessity. However, this does not mean the choice to pursue complete change in the most important guidelines affecting the national foreign and economic policy. Rather, it has an important tactical significance and, with due diligence on our part, can lead in the future to a more adequate Russian presence in world affairs, the center of which is increasingly shifting to Asia.”

Read the full article at the Valdai Club.

This item is part of Russia Matters’ “Clues from Russian Views” series, in which we share what newsmakers in/from Russia are saying on Russia-related issues that impact key U.S. national interests so that RM readers can glean clues about their thinking.

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