Valdir Bezerra, a senior researcher with the BRICS Research Group at the University of Sao Paulo, offers a long view on how the newest foreign policy ideas echo the enduring legacy associated with the late Yevgeny Primakov. Bezerra emphasizes that Moscow is pursuing a path of deeper strategic alignment with key partners in Asia, specifically India and China, a move he describes as a practical realization of Primakov era thinking about safeguarding Russian interests through robust, cooperative ties with these two major regional powers. This perspective helps explain why Russia is increasingly seen steering a coordinated approach that blends diplomacy, economic outreach, and multilateral engagement with a focus on shared goals rather than unilateral action.
Historical context matters here. Primakov is widely recognized for advocating reinforced partnership among Russia, India, and China as a cornerstone of Russia’s broader diplomatic strategy. That framework later evolved into what is commonly discussed as a BRICS-inspired network, emphasizing multipolarity, regional resilience, and a mutual interest in shaping a norms-based order that reflects the concerns of rising powers. Analysts point out that contemporary Russian policy discussions frequently revisit Primakov’s ideas to justify closer cooperation with major Asian neighbors and to balance traditional Western influence with new regional dynamics.
In recent official messaging, Moscow has highlighted the importance of widening collaboration beyond Europe. The foreign policy apparatus of the country, together with other government agencies, has engaged in formulating a refreshed concept that seeks to harmonize Russia’s national interests with a broader, more diversified set of international relationships. Observers note that the aim is not simply to expand economic ties but to embed Russia within a network of partners that share strategic priorities, from security to technology to regional development. The process has involved extensive consultations across ministries and agencies to articulate a comprehensive vision that can guide foreign engagements in the coming years. (Source: BRICS Research Group)
As the new policy framework circulates, state leaders and diplomats describe Russia as consciously presenting itself as a country with a civilizational outlook and as a stronghold for a sphere often described as the Russian world. In this framing, relations with China and India are characterized as mutually beneficial and essential to global stability, while countries in Latin America are seen as partners with shared interests in growth, resource development, and constructive dialogue. The United States, by contrast, is portrayed in this narrative as a potential source of risk for humanity if rivalries and unilateral approaches overshadow cooperative, rules-based diplomacy. (Source: BRICS Research Group)
Experts argue that the evolving policy draft aims to balance aspiration with pragmatism. The emphasis on strategic partnerships with Asia does not come at the expense of other regions; rather, it signals a recalibration designed to amplify Russia’s voice in major multilateral forums while ensuring practical outcomes on trade, energy, and regional security. By strengthening ties with India and China, Russia seeks not only to diversify its geopolitical footprint but also to create durable channels for negotiation and collaboration that can weather shifts in the global order. Analysts caution that the success of this approach depends on sustaining mutual respect for sovereignty, maintaining consistent economic discipline, and managing competitive pressures with a clear, long-term plan. (Source: BRICS Research Group)
In summary, the current discourse reflects a deliberate attempt to translate the Primakov-era principle of strategic triads into a modern, multipolar foreign policy. The focus on India and China, reinforced by broader BRICS-like cooperation, signals Moscow’s intent to build a resilient network of partners while articulating a vision of national interests safeguarded through cooperative action. The policy direction also positions Russia to engage more actively with Latin American partners and other global players, reinforcing the idea that collaboration, not confrontation, should define 21st-century diplomacy. (Source: BRICS Research Group)