President Vladimir Putin has emphatically highlighted Russia’s strategic pivot to Asia, showcasing the “unprecedented” strength of its relationship with China. On the eve of the SCO Summit, Putin detailed the deep economic and political bonds that now define the Moscow-Beijing axis, positioning it as a cornerstone of Eurasian stability.
The economic dimension of this pivot is stark. Putin revealed that bilateral trade has surged by roughly $100 billion since 2021, cementing China’s role as Russia’s top economic partner. This is further bolstered by a strategic decision to conduct nearly all trade in rubles and yuan, deliberately moving away from the US dollar.
This partnership extends beyond economics into a shared geopolitical vision. Putin emphasized their “common stand against discriminatory sanctions” and their similar views on regional and international security. This alignment allows them to present a united front in multilateral forums, challenging the Western-led global order.
The upcoming SCO summit serves as a platform to institutionalize this pivot. Putin’s vision of a “fairer, multipolar world order” with a robust Eurasian security architecture is predicated on the strength of the Russia-China alliance. The gathering in Tianjin will be a key moment to advance this agenda with other regional powers.
Russia’s Pivot to Asia: Putin Highlights Deepening Ties with China
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