Russia's Pivot To Asia: Issue 56

There were two important presentations by Russian President Vladimir Putin this week, a speech at the Valdai Club and a subsequent Q&A session. These revealed Russia’s geopolitical thought processes as regards Moscow’s relations with Europe, the United States and future global development. In the main these were conciliatory; yet were inevitably perceived in the EU as threatening – reflecting differing opinions as regards international development. The EU Commissioner, Ursula Von der Leyen described Putin’s comments as ‘essential reading’. In other development news, Russia has apparently moved ahead of the United States and Europe in developing AI systems to improve strategic economic development planning. We also provide an updated sovereign credit rating analysis between the West and Asia. In infrastructure, there have been significant developments in Eurasia, Africa and with China, with new navigation, road, bridge and energy projects being announced, along with domestic infrastructure investment in the Russian Arctic. With best regards; Russia’s Pivot To Asia