Military exercises “Vostok” furniture that Russia grows with allies – unlike the United States
The next iteration of the four pulmonary pathways has just begun in the Russian Far East Defeat exercises “Vostok”, in which more than 50,000 military personnel, 140 aircraft and 60 warships took part. Vostok is one of four studies that have been celebrated in Russia for four years. The rest – “West”, “Center” and “Caucasus” correspond to the places of research within the country.
The previous iteration of the “East” (in 2018) infiltrating China as well as Mongolia; they were the first two states outside the former Soviet Union to join the exercise. The 2018 exercise was also significantly larger. Conflict in Ukraine involving many units, usually deployed on a case-by-case basis, possibly seriously restricted Russia’s opportunities for large-scale research.
But the true meaning of Vostok-2022 is not in its size, but in its presence. This year, the list of countries from outside the former Soviet Union that joined as participants or observers is significantly longer and, outside of Mongolia, also includes Algeria, Syria, Laos, Nicaragua and India.
Of these, China is by far the most widespread. The Russian-Chinese security rapprochement has attracted the attention of this international media since the beginning of the year, when the leaders of the two countries released a joint statement in which asserted partnership “without restrictions” before the start of Russian special operations in Ukraine. But in fact, Russia and China are very close to the period of 2014-2015.
Their security partnership is not formally an alliance—it lacks a mutual assistance agreement—but it is steadily becomes denser, thanks to ever-discovered more joint exercises (including in remote regions such as Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea), the sale to Beijing of the most advanced Russian weapons systems – such as the S-400 and Su-35 – and in cooperation development defense equipment.
Since 2018, Vostok has not simulated a Chinese invasion, which, as it was discovered, was part of the focus of its previous version. There is no evidence that Moscow and Beijing have moved to the stage of consistent operational planning in the event of unforeseen wartime events. Nevertheless, in many respects China and Russia can be said to are informal alliances, which is taking place in conjunction with Washington’s simultaneous strategies to contain this reduction of countries.
“Vostok” includes major naval exercises in Japanese Sea. After the previous rapprochement, when the Prime Minister of Japan was Shinzo Abe, relations between Tokyo and Moscow deteriorated significantly. Japan imposed heavy sanctions on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, and the rhetoric between them is now much more hostile.
Of the rest of the East, Algeria, Laos, Nicaragua, and Syria have either distant or hostile relations with the States. However, their participation in the “East” is very symbolic for the gathering opposition coalition, which is essential for their limited geopolitical weight.
However, India’s involvement matters more. A close US partner and even a quasi-ally in China, India nonetheless adheres strictly to a great point of view on the conflict in Ukraine, without questioning “by name” and significantly increasing purchases of oil from Moscow.
Worried about the dominance of Russian-Chinese ties, India America national security adviser in Moscow, where he reportedly assured Russia that India was not anywhere. India is also a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization – a group that captures China and Russia, and takes part in security dialogues and military exercises under its auspices. These include upcoming anti-terrorist teachings Chinese, Russian, Iranian and Pakistani troops will take part in India.
The upshot of all this is that, after more than six months, America’s Report and European allies have made little headway in expanding their coalition against Russia. Behind Singapore’s exceptional and to some extent size, large Asian and Eurasian states not only won’t have major coalitions, but some of them are likely to forge more important ties with Russia. Washington may have to ponder why its strategy towards Russia is unenthused by most Asian countries.
Author: Sarang Shidor — sarang Sidore Director of Research at the Quincy Institute. His area of research and analysis is geopolitical risk, overall strategy, and energy and climate security, with a focus on Asia.
Translation by Sergei Dukhanov