Russia's Pivot To Asia: Issue 51

The main focus this past week has been the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation annual Heads of State summit, for which we have produced a wealth of introductory and analytical material for our readers. This turned out to be a pivotal event that is likely to dramatically influence global affairs, and we recommend taking time to go through the articles to fully understand the implications. That lead to numerous bilateral side meetings, including with China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Turkmenistan and Mongolia, with the latter meeting especially of note as the much-anticipated Power of 2 pipeline to China has finally been agreed between the three parties. That will increase Russia’s exports of gas to China by an additional 50 billion cubic meters of gas per year from Russia with transit through Mongolia. That is roughly equivalent to the volumes Russia currently exports to the European Union, its largest gas customer (despite sanctions). There are also important developments as concern the United Nations, as new impetus at reform is taking place, most directly with China’s introduction of an alternative ‘Global Governance Initiative’ that will create substantial debate within the UN itself as well as among the Global South. This week has seen dramatic changes take place. ​ With best regards; Russia’s Pivot To Asia