Putin’s Russia – The Eastern Axis: How Is Moscow Seeking New Allies Beyond the West?

How did an unremarkable KGB officer become one of the most powerful and controversial leaders in the world? In this special series of the 4 Minutes podcast, we closely follow Vladimir Putin’s rise to power – from his childhood in Soviet Leningrad to his intelligence career and the key moments of his rule that reshaped Russia and the world. What events shaped his policies? What are the roots of the current conflict? And what does the future hold for Russia?

Join us for this compelling series and understand how Putin’s Russia came to be. 🎙️

Transcript

In this episode, we take a close look at how Russian foreign policy has shifted in recent years from traditional ties with the West to a strategic search for new partners in China, India, Iran, Africa, Latin America, and other regions collectively known as the Global South. After 2022, when full-scale war broke out in Ukraine and the West responded with harsh sanctions and diplomatic isolation, it became essential for Vladimir Putin to find new allies, trade partners, and political supporters. This geopolitical shift is not merely tactical – it is structural, and it reflects Russia’s effort to reshape its global image and role.

The most crucial player in this new alignment is China. The relationship between Beijing and Moscow has deepened significantly in recent years. Although the two countries have different historical and ideological foundations, they share a common goal: resisting American dominance and promoting a multipolar world with multiple centers of power. China has become Russia’s largest buyer of oil and gas, as well as a key partner in technology and diplomacy. During the war in Ukraine, China officially maintained a neutral stance, but in practice continued trade and refused to join Western sanctions. Beijing has also supported certain Russian narratives, such as criticism of NATO and claims of Western provocation.

At the same time, it is important to note that China clearly holds the upper hand in this partnership. Russia, which historically sought to be a global power on equal footing, now finds itself in the role of a weaker partner – selling its raw materials at discounted prices in exchange for essential industrial components and political support. In some areas, such as digital infrastructure and surveillance technology, Russia is increasingly adopting Chinese models.

Beyond China, Moscow has been cultivating relations with other countries outside the Western bloc. India holds a unique position – it is a democratic nation that cooperates with the United States and Europe, but it also maintains long-standing military and energy ties with Russia. During the war in Ukraine, India refrained from condemning the invasion, continued to purchase Russian oil, and took a pragmatic, economically driven approach. For Putin, it is strategically important that a major and growing economy like India still views Russia as a valuable partner, even if purely for practical reasons.

Another key direction of Russian foreign policy is the Middle East, particularly Iran. Both countries face Western sanctions, both have authoritarian regimes, and both share animosity toward American global influence. Cooperation between Moscow and Tehran has taken tangible form – from weapons exchanges to joint military coordination in Syria. Iran has supplied Russia with combat drones used in Ukraine, while Russia has provided military expertise and political backing to the Iranian regime. This partnership, born of shared isolation and opposition to the West, represents a new type of strategic alliance.

Russia is also attempting to expand its influence in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. In Africa, Moscow uses a combination of diplomatic initiatives, military contracts, and private military groups like the Wagner Group to strengthen its position. In countries such as Mali, the Central African Republic, and Sudan, Russia presents itself as an alternative provider of security – one that does not impose Western-style conditions related to human rights. In Latin America, Russia revives Cold War-era relationships with Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua, offering military and economic support in exchange for loyalty in the UN and other international forums.

The West often underestimates the depth and scope of these partnerships. For many Global South countries, the war in Ukraine is not perceived as their war. They see it as a conflict between white powers, one that does not directly concern them. Russian propaganda actively exploits this view, portraying Moscow as a defender of national sovereignty against colonial and morally hypocritical Western dominance. This narrative resonates in some governments and among certain populations, especially where historical distrust of the West runs deep.

Russia is thus attempting to help reshape the international system to make space for authoritarian regimes, alternative trade routes, and new geopolitical alliances. This process is not without its challenges – dependence on China is growing, and many of these relationships are based on pragmatism rather than loyalty. Still, this represents a crucial strategy for Russia to survive isolation and maintain its status as a global power in a world changing faster than ever before.

Thank you for listening.