Kremlin debunks ‘eastern turn’ claim
Russia is not shifting its foreign policy to the East or anywhere else, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said following President Vladimir Putin’s recent four-day visit to China.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Peskov was asked if the president’s trip could be interpreted as official “documentation” that Moscow has reoriented eastward.
”You can’t put it that way,” Peskov objected. “Nothing has been formalized, and it is impossible to formally record any kind of turns. Furthermore, Russia is not planning to turn anywhere, that would be a mistake. In fact, it has already always been in the East,” he added.
The spokesman added that Russia continues to develop its strategic and privileged partnership with China, as well as ties with other countries in the region and with the Global South. According to Peskov, the ongoing processes of global transformation are leading many of these states to unite around a shared vision of the need to transform the international system.
Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Friday, Putin stressed that Russia had never turned its back on anyone and always “looks both ways,” just like the two-headed eagle on the country’s national symbols.
He emphasized that Russia has always been, and remains open to economic cooperation with the US, and that American businesses could greatly benefit from joint projects if Washington allows it.
The president also pointed to the opportunities that exist in the Arctic. He stated that three-way operations with China and the US to begin developing the region “right now” were possible, only requiring a “political decision.”
Meanwhile, Moscow and Beijing have unveiled new agreements covering energy, governance, and travel. Putin confirmed increased gas exports to China through the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline while China announced visa-free entry for Russians from September 15, with Moscow set to reciprocate.
At the SCO summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping also launched a global governance initiative, with Putin backing the proposed reforms.
Western officials have warned that the closer partnership challenges their rules-based order. However, Putin has stressed organizations like the SCO are not aimed against third countries, but rather at creating a more just world order.
