Post-communist Russia finds itself within a border which reflects no historical precedent. Russia will always be essential to the world order. Russia has come up both politically and economically since Vladimir Putin assumed power in Russia. Putin has raised its sides and is invoking the memory of Russia’s key role in the allied victory over the axis power.
In recent years, Russia’s Arctic population has been declining. The main goals of Russia in its Arctic policy are to utilize its natural resources, protect its ecosystem, use the Seas as a transportation system in Russia’s interests, and ensure that it remains a zone of peace and cooperation.
Read more: Cooperation in the Arctic Ocean?
But the Arctic is even more significant to Russia other than resources as it has an important economic and defense system. Moreover, Russia’s military capabilities are regionalized between the eastern and western halves of its Arctic territory. In Russia’s eastern Arctic, International vessels travel from the Asia-Pacific region through the narrow Bering Straits to enter the Russian region.
Russia has refurbished airfields, invested in search and rescue, and built radar stations to improve awareness in the air and maritime domains. The deployment of Sopka-2 radar systems on Wrangel Island 300 miles from Alaska and Cape Schmidt has been essential to improving operational awareness.
However, Russia is aligning its position in the Arctic Ocean near to the US state of Alaska to utilize the natural resources and minerals of the Arctic Ocean for economic development and establishing Military bases for their future planning in the Arctic region.
Read more: Russia’s Arctic plans add to polar bears’ climate woes
Russia’s military ventures
Russia is playing a very important role in the Eastern European countries by backing them to counter the influence of the US in the region so that the national interests of Russia in the Eastern Europe region can be served.
However, currently, Russia has deployed its military on the Ukrainian border to put the pressure on US-Backed regime in Ukraine.
Read more: Why does Ukraine want war with Russia?
Furthermore, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged Putin to withdraw the Russian troops from the Ukraine border. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky also visited their forces deployed at the Russian border to boost the morale of the Ukraine forces for protecting their borders from Russian aggression.
Russian role is also increasing in Iran and Turkey. Last year, Turkey purchased the S-400 Missile Air defense system from Russia, and the US has banned the procurement of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.
Read more: Turkey amidst US and Russia – The S-400 Missile Defense Deal
Normalizing relations with Pakistan
Moreover, after the Second World War USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan, the relations of Pakistan and Russia remained not so good due to Pakistan’s support to Taliban and the USA against Ex USSR.
Since 2011 the relations between Pakistan and Russia are normalizing day by day towards economic cooperation and Military Strategy. In 2015 Defense Cooperation agreement was signed between Russia and Pakistan to increase Military cooperation between the two countries.
Last year Russian and Pakistani Special Forces carried out a joint Military exercise called “Friendship 2020” in Pakistan to increase the Military Cooperation between the two countries. Currently, Pakistan has received a Mi-35 Attack Helicopter from Russia to increase the air power of the Pakistan Army.
Read more: Pakistan seeks closer ties with Russia, and has a real chance of success
After Biden Administration came into power, the relationship between the USA & Russia is deteriorating day by day. According to the Doha accord, the USA was supposed to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan till the 1st of May 2021, but it seems that the Biden Administration is planning to prolong their stay in Afghanistan to serve the National interests of the USA in Asia.
Furthermore, Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov has made an important visit to India & Pakistan to play the key role of Russia in the Afghan peace process to serve the national interest of Russia in Central Asia.
Read more: Lavrov’s trip: a major event for India and Pakistan
During the visit of the Russian Foreign Minister to Pakistan, he affirmed that Moscow will fully support the stance of Pakistan, the war against terrorism, and will hold two different Military exercises in the sea and mountains to increase the capacity of Pakistani and Russian forces.
Russia is an important country in the region and can play a very important role in Afghan Peace Process in the best interest of the peace of the South Asian region.
Read more: Afghan peace deal-is US following Russia’s diplomatic footsteps?
The writer holds an MPP from KDI School of Public Policy and Management Seoul, South Korea. Currently, he is working as a Middle Manager in Trade and Investment Organization in Pakistan. The views expressed in the article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Global Village Space.