Vladivostok, 12 September 2023 (TDI): Sergey Lavrov, the Foreign Minister of Russia, spoke on the subject of Russia’s involvement with the East and its economic possibilities on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.
The phrase “pivot to the East” is deceptive, according to Lavrov, and does not truly describe Russia’s long-standing commitment to the Eastern regions. He emphasized that Russia has never pulled away from the East in his speech.
Minister Lavrov said that almost twenty years after President Vladimir Putin entered office, Russia’s foreign, economic & investment policies have constantly acknowledged the enormous benefits that the East of the country and the Eurasian continent provide.
Lavrov noted that these benefits were not completely realized in the late 1990s, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when the Western dimension assumed precedence.
However, Russia’s Far East and Northern territories, the continent’s Eastern flagship, had already begun to draw increased attention even before contemporary developments.
Concrete investment programs were implemented, new transportation and logistical routes were established, ports were developed, and large investments in shipbuilding were made, including the construction of new ships, oil tankers, grain carriers, and freighters.
The Foreign Minister noted that Russia’s engagement in the East has accelerated significantly in reaction to Western sanctions.
He emphasized that the sanctions were imposed as a result of Russia’s refusal to support Western efforts to exploit Ukraine to weaken Russian security and eliminate Russian cultural influence on Ukrainian territory with historical links to Russia.
Minister Lavrov stated, “What we did in terms of economic development and foreign economic ties in the East started exceeding the Western dimension to a great extent.
The EU, NATO, and other European nations that have joined the sanctions are depriving themselves of the advantages they used to enjoy in the past.”
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He concluded by characterizing this trend as “historic and objective” and predicted that it would continue to strengthen in the future.
Despite external obstacles, Sergey Lavrov’s statements at the Eastern Economic Forum serve as a reminder of Russia’s commitment to encouraging economic development and collaboration in its Eastern regions.
The Russian government’s commitment to capitalizing on the immense potential of the East remains unwavering, and it is prepared to play a critical role in the country’s economic destiny.
About the Eastern Economic Forum
The Eastern Economic Forum is an annual gathering of political and commercial leaders from across the world in Vladivostok, Russia, to explore economic and business potential in Russia’s Far East and the Asia-Pacific region.
The forum’s goal is to encourage regional collaboration and investment while highlighting Eastern Russia’s economic potential.
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