Vladimir Putin seems set on opening up a new front in his disruption campaign against the United States, a geopolitical expert has argued.
Putin last week jetted off the Asia, where he met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un before heading off to Vietnam to strengthen Russia‘s military ties with the country.
Vietnam plays a critical role in the decades-long dispute over control of the South China Sea, as its government claims sovereignty over parts of the body of water.
Geopolitical expert Gargi Shanghag has argued Putin’s visit to the region is a clear signal he is ready to move away from Russia‘s neutral stance on the South China Sea dispute in an effort to fuel tensions with the United States.
Washington has become increasingly involved in the region as it expressed its full support to the Philippines, a key ally whose forces have repeatedly clashed with China in recent months over Beijing’s claims over the South China Sea.
Writing in the First Post, Mr Shanghag noted: “Russia has decided to play devil’s advocate, favouring China here just because the US has deepening interests in the region.”
He argued Putin is likely ramping up efforts to “destabilise” the US by offering Russia‘s support to China as Beijing seeks to assert its sovereignty over the area – potentially resulting in the US refocusing on the Indo-Pacific rather than Europe.
The geopolitical expert continued: “From Russia’s perspective, the US used Ukraine to threaten Putin by bringing NATO to its doorstep.
“Now, Russia is aiming to threaten the US and its allies by supporting China, Vietnam and North Korea. This shakes up the balance of power in the region.”
He added: “Russia, amidst facing international sanctions on multiple fronts, has decided to lure the US into facing another proxy in the Indo-Pacific; this time with China, Vietnam and North Korea’s help.”
During his visit to Pyongyang, President Putin signed a mutual military assistance pact with leader Kim Jong-un and confirmed that Russia could provide weapons to the isolated country.
The announcement added to concerns in Washington and Seoul about North Korea receiving economic and tech assistance that would enhance the threat posed by Kim’s nuclear weapons and missile program.
Last month, Putin warned that Russia could provide long-range weapons to others to hit Western targets in response to NATO allies allowing Ukraine to use its allies’ arms to make limited attacks inside Russian territory.
By explicitly linking prospective arms shipments to Pyongyang to Western moves on Ukraine, Putin warned Kyiv’s allies to back off as he pushes his goals in the war – or face a new round of confrontation.