The “Russia’s Pivot to Asia” and Perspective Strategy of Multilateral Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region

Abstract

Russian diplomacy after the Ukrainian crisis of 2014 is in search of the most effective strategy that would meet the growing challenges of the modern world. The continued fragmentation (“creeping dismantling”) of the mechanisms and institutions on which the bipolar world has been built for decades requires a flexible and adequate foreign policy line that can be used to reduce risks and advance one’s own interests in an ever-changing situation. One of the elements of this strategy is a “turn to Asia” - a promising trend of Russian foreign policy, the consideration of which the author aims at. Based on the results of the analysis carried out in the article, the author comes to the conclusion that such a turn cannot be implemented within the framework of an inertial strategy - but it requires Russia to be active in building qualitatively new relations with other countries of the Asia-Pacific region (both bilateral and multilateral). It also appears that a “reversal” cannot be carried out within the framework of a tacking strategy - since tacking in foreign policy only reinforces the status quo, but does not help to move forward. The author believes that the best option of Russia’s strategy in the Asia-Pacific region is Pro-active construction - that is, building relations of multilateral partnership with all other countries in the region interested in maintaining its sustainable development, peaceful resolution of disputes, the development of interstate trade and cultural exchanges. Developing a strategic partnership with China, Russia is called upon and able to start a dialogue on partnership with other Asia-Pacific countries, using existing dialogue platforms (Asia-Pacific economic cooperation summits) to develop partnerships in different areas.