International Organization

International Organization

Russia’s Strategic Multilateral Engagement in the Asia-Pacific: A Case Study of ASEAN and APEC

Authors
1 PhD Candidate in International Relations, University of Guilan, Guilan, Iran.
2 Associate Professor, Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Guilan, Guilan, Iran.
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Guilan, Guilan, Iran.
Abstract
Following Vladimir Putin’s third term as President, Russia began enhancing cooperation with regional organizations in the Asia-Pacific, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). While this initiative was not entirely new and had been pursued since the post-Soviet era under the “Primakov Multipolar System” concept, a notable shift has occurred: Russia’s focus has moved from Western institutions toward Eastern multilateral organizations. Accordingly, the central research question is: “What objectives does Russia pursue through cooperation with Asia-Pacific multilateral institutions?” The study’s findings indicate that although economic benefits given the regional and global economic influence of these institutions are a significant factor in Russia’s engagement, this cooperation must be understood within a broader worldview. Specifically, Russia’s interaction with Asia-Pacific multilateral organizations reflects a longstanding foreign policy vision aimed at transforming the international system from a U.S.-dominated unipolar order to a multipolar one. This research employs a descriptive-analytical methodology.
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