17-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Asean sees Russia as ‘balancer' amid US-China rivalry, say analysts
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the upcoming East Asia Summit in October this year, a key Asean platform for strategic dialogue with major external partners. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA : As tensions between the US and China intensify, Asean member states are increasingly looking at Russia as a potential 'third power' or 'balancer' to diversify their strategic partnerships, say analysts.
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said the unpredictability of US President Donald Trump's administration has shaken confidence in Washington's reliability as a long-term partner.
'Whether you are an ally, a close friend, or even an adversary, Trump doesn't differentiate. Asean needs other superpowers,' he told FMT.
As a result, Azmi said, he expects Asean to move closer to Russia under Malaysia's chairmanship, particularly in the economic, geopolitical, security and defence spheres.
He said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's push for Malaysia to join the BRICS economic grouping was a step in the right direction, allowing Malaysia to diversify its international partnerships and aligning Asean with an alternative framework to the traditional Western-led order.
Malaysia officially became a BRICS partner on Jan 1 following the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, which Russia chaired. Thailand and Vietnam became partners in late 2024 while Indonesia was made a full member earlier this year.
Elena Burova, a research fellow at the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia at the Russian Academy of Sciences, said Asean-Russia ties have gained momentum, citing Anwar's state visit to Moscow and the bloc's growing engagement with BRICS.
She said the partnership allows Asean to maintain autonomy without aligning too closely with either Washington or Beijing.
'Russia's role as an emerging player in the region is welcomed by Asean countries seeking to hedge their diplomatic bets. Russia could become a desirable balancer in the region.
'Asean countries stand to benefit from Russian expertise in military technology, equipment and training, which could enhance their defence capabilities and overall readiness,' she said.
Cooperation constraints
However, Burova said Western sanctions may hinder efforts to strengthen military cooperation between the regional bloc and Russia.
'While Western sanctions have limited Russia's ability to export military hardware, the evolving defence relationship between Asean and Russia can pursue alternative avenues, such as cooperation, training and joint initiatives that enhance regional security.
'Given the strategic importance of maritime security in Southeast Asia, Russia has engaged in discussions and cooperative efforts in this area,' she told FMT.
Ian Storey, senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, said those efforts include one joint Asean-Russia naval exercise to date and Russia's continued participation in Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) activities.
Despite limited opportunities for Asean-Russia ties to fully blossom given constraints, he said continued engagement with Asean serves Moscow's interests.
'Russia places great importance on the countries of the Global South,' he said.
'Good relations with countries in the Global South strengthens the Kremlin's narrative that Russia has plenty of friends around the world and that the West's attempts to isolate it have failed.
'Russia has some old friends in Asean, especially Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.'
Anwar's recent official visit to Russia from May 13 to 16 has underscored Malaysia's commitment to diversifying its international partnerships and enhancing its role in a multipolar
global landscape.
During the visit, Anwar extended an invite to Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the upcoming East Asia Summit in October this year, a key Asean platform for strategic dialogue with major external partners.
