[…] For ten years, China has eagerly lobbied its Belt and Road initiative and invested billions in infrastructure projects across the world.
Also Russia is part of China’s grand masterplan, and Moscow’s war against Ukraine and its crippling international isolation is making Russia increasingly dependent on Beijing.
China is today Russia’s largest trade partner, and exchanges between the countries are expected to exceed $200 billion this year.
Judging from Putin’s speech at the forum, Russia will in the years to come make significant steps to integrate with asian partners. Railways were highlighted, and Putin underlined that a north-south connection between Arctic and Baltic seaports and ports on the coast of the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean is under development.
“On the entire connection from our northern city of Murmansk to the Iranian Bander-Abbas will, according to our specialists, be a seamless railway line,” Putin said. […]
During Xi’s visit to Moscow in March this year, it was decided to establish a joint Russian-Chinese working group on the development of the Northern Sea Route.
Also during this year’s visit, Putin highlighted his interest in getting foreign investments for the far northern shipping route.
“With regards to the Northern Sea Route, Russia does not only offer partners to actively use its transport potential. Even more: we invite interested countries in the direct participation in its development and we are ready to provide reliable ice escort, communications and supply,” he said and explained that year-round shipping on the route will start already in 2024.
“Already from next year, navigation for ice-class cargo ships will be open year-round on the whole Northern Sea Route,” he underlined. Läs artikel