The Asia-Pacific Region Strategy in Russian Diplomacy

摘要

When the Western sanctions caused Russian relations with the Western countries to come to early a Cold War frostiness, Russia started it's a Pivot to East strategy to uplift its diplomacy with the Asia-Pacific region. After the collapse of the Soviet Union for the newborn Russia the idea of a return to Atlanticism was the predominant view in the beginning, advocating that Russia's adoption of the Western system was in accordance to its national interests. Kremlin believed that Russia's key partners should be wealthy developed countries with mature economies and democratic systems, i.e. the United States and West Europe. To win the trust and help of the West, Russia actively responded to the U.S. and European requests and made concessions on major issues including economic reform, reduction of strategic nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, The U.S. has regarded Russia as its vital geopolitical and has been squeezing Russia's geopolitical space through an eastward expansion of NATO. Therefore, Russia sought to rebalance and diversify its foreign relations as well as resume more active relationships with its neighbors and countries in East Asia. Pivot to East in Russian diplomacy does not equate with departing from the West but shows Russia's increased attention to a balanced foreign policy. A master of diplomacy, Russia takes full account of short - and long -term interests, doubly true for its Pivot to East.