A brief assessment of the former Soviet Union's interest in Northeast Asia

Since the dissolution of the former Soviet Union, the Russian Federation has emerged less European and more Asian country. But, Russia’s national interests in North East Asia are not clearly defined. The country’s top decision-making bodies are still US and Euro-centered and do not pay due attention to the aspects of the Asia-Pacific dimension.


Russia faces the urgent task of reconceptualizing security perceptions in North East Asia and of reformulating security policies. Particularly, economic engagement and cooperation are becoming more important relative to strategic and military developments. If the Russian Far East is to be integrated into the Northeast Asian economy, not only must the region’s market forces be allowed to grow, but institutionalized mechanisms of cooperation must be developed to link the fragile but growing market forces in the Russian Far East to those of the dynamic Northeast Asian countries.


The new Russian state emerged in 1991-92 inherited from Gorbachev era the following mixed legacy: withdrawal from most regional conflicts; narrowed sphere of national interests in Northeast Asia; finalized normalization of relations with China and Republic of Korea; alienation with former ally in North Korea (DPRK); started but unfinished and not very promising dialogue with Japan with no precise vision of further accommodation; nihilist view by Russian democrats of “Communist totalitarian regimes in Asia”, i.e. China, North Korea; emergence of China as most welcome potential partner for conservative political force; dominance of conservatives in formulation of a positive Russian policy towards China; significant increase of value of relations with Republic of Korea and her emergence as one of most important Russian regional partners lack of a concise regional strategy, orientation for bilateral basis to develop Russian contacts in Northeast Asia and low cohesion of her efforts in the region. The ultimate Russian goals and preferences in the Asia-Pacific in general and Northeast Asia in particularly follow into two basic and partially conflicting dimensions; order and stability in regional affairs generally preserving existing status-quo and balance of regional powers, prevention of major radical changes, increase of Russian role and value in preserving the current balance.


Russia’s long for the Asian-Pacific under which she could protect national interests without use of armed forces. Therefore being one of the biggest nations in the Asia-Pacific she is concerned with permanent stability, security and prosperity of the region. The Russian major tasks in ensuring security include: gradual forming an international security system to protect national interests mainly by political and diplomatic means and to create a chance for an active participation in prevention and settlement of regional conflicts; establishing stable defense cooperation and partnership ties with all regional nations, especially with the largest ones exerting decisive influence on the regional situation such as the USA, China and Japan, to pursue common interests in security, stability and reducing tensions in the Asia-Pacific; strengthening the Russian role as one of key factors of regional military and political balance.


However, as recent developments vividly illustrate, (North Korea), Russia is lagging behind China, South and Japan in influencing the political destiny of the region. This suggests that Russia need to do more in bolstering its diplomatic influence in the region