(Moscow Bureau) – Within the framework of the Greater Eurasia Union, Russia’s envisioned strategies have been directed at raising economic and investment levels with the former Soviet republics, particularly Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. While the primary reasons include preserving historical linkages, it has these years strengthening economic cooperation. Beyond that, Russia is also actively realigning its geopolitical and economic priorities toward Asian-Pacific region, driven by the Western sanctions and a shifting global landscape. While heavily anchored by ties with Beijing, Moscow is simultaneously deepening its engagements with China, India and Vietnam.

It was not surprising, on May 9th, which usually marks the historic Victory Day, Kremlin’s utilized the opportunity to review significant aspects of the current economic partnerships with a number of Asian-Pacific states who were specially invited to Moscow. As expected during the scheduled meetings, Kremlin has underlined the necessity of sustaining and raising full-fledged pragmatic coordination in the spheres of trade and economic cooperation. Beyond marking the historic May 9th, which was somewhat observed in a reduced format due to security concerns, Kremlin was, at the same time, seriously looking for fortifying economic partnerships with foreign states, particularly the former Soviet republics and a few from the Asian-Pacific region. These foreign leaders were, specially, invited to participate in the May 9th activities, including the Red Square parade.

The Russian Federation lost about 70 percent out of the 27 million lives laid on the altar of Victory in the Soviet Union. According to post-war documents, Russia lost nearly 70 percent or more precisely more than 69 percent. How many lives Russia lost if the total number is 27 million? Nearly 19 million lives. Of course, this is an event that concerns every citizen of the Russian Federation.

Now, the genesis of the war in Ukraine. It is the so-called globalist part of the Western elites, having provoked this Russia-Ukraine conflict. Strangely, it all began with Ukraine’s decision to join the EU. They could go ahead by all means, but this has led to a military conflict. That was the initial reference point, had no regard for Russia’s interests, whatsoever, the regional security. Moreover, seeking to use Ukraine as an instrument for attaining their geopolitical goals, these people in the West lied to everyone, as they have now openly admitted. They started to lie to Russia about the non-expansion of NATO to the east at the beginning of the 1990s. That NATO would not move a single step eastward. Taken together, all this has provoked the current situation.

In a critical assessment, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, explicitly explained that “Russia has no desire to worsen or damage relations with anyone” while outlining the potential consequences within the framework of the special military operation that began in late February 2022. Now in its fourth year, it is necessary for Russia to sustain collaborative work with major partners and friends, primarily with friends from the People’s Republic of China, India and some other countries in the Global South.

In the Kremlin, there were a veritable marathon of bilateral meetings. These were focused on the main significant economic issues for Russia and for other countries, in this case, friendly countries. Of primary importance are, certainly, relations with former Soviet republics, closest allies and partners – Belarus, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Russia’s trade with Belarus is more than $60 billion. Isn’t this an impressive figure for a country with barely 10 million of population? asked Putin during a media briefing in the Kremlin., and added that there is always a great to discuss, there are really many issues of mutual concern.

Despite the fact that there are bound to be problems, reports indicated that Russia accounts for 60 or even more than 65 percent of trade with Belarus in the CIS and EAEU, which means that Belarus is the main trading partner in the post-Soviet space. Of course, given this huge volume, which is worth about $60 billion.

Armenia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which are rapidly developing economies, have solid plans, including in investment, and quite importantly, Russia has common interests with Kazakhstan in the framework of the EAEU. Putin noted that, “as for Armenia’s plans to join the EU, this certainly requires special consideration.” Putin has discussed it with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on several occasions, and do not see anything strange about it. History shows that Russia has maintained special relations with the Armenian people for centuries. Russia’s trade with Armenia was very modest, at $7 billion in 2025. Given that the country’s GDP is $29 billion, this is a serious amount, and Armenia also enjoys considerable advantages in the EAEU.

Specifically with Kazakhstan, Russia has been working on 177 industrial cooperation projects alone over the past 20 years, and 122 projects were implemented during the last five years. Russia is one of the main if not the key investor in Kazakhstan’s economy. Russia’s trade is developing successfully. According to forecasts, trade will confidently surpass the $30 billion mark by the end of this year, which is a good indicator.

The leaders highlight the development of humanitarian ties, in education, including higher, secondary and primary one. Sirius schools have actually begun working on the territory in Alma Ata, Astana and other cities across Kazakhstan. According to the results of 2025, Russia placed first by the number of tourists who visited Kazakhstan. China comes second, India third, Türkiye fourth, and South Korea fifth.

Trade and economic ties continue to grow, and major projects are being implemented. Russia remains one of the leading investors in the Uzbek economy. Bilateral relations are developing very dynamically. For instance, during the international industrial exhibition, First Deputy Prime Minister, Denis Manturov, and many other people visited it, including six governors. It was attended by 500 companies, and had a very busy programme. Today, the dynamics is very good. Compared to last year, trade has increased by 33 percent in the first quarter of 2026, which is a good indicator.

With regards to the Republic of South Ossetia, following a meeting on May 9th, an agreement on deepening cooperation with the Russian Federation, was signed. The relations are also developing positively. Last year, bilateral trade turnover increased by more than 14 percent. According to the President of South Ossetia, Alan Gagloev, Russia and South Ossetia completed an investment programme and that of socioeconomic development. This year, both are launching a new investment programme and new programme of socioeconomic development in close cooperation with the Government of the Russian Federation and the Presidential Executive Office.

As at today, Russian and Ossetian brothers are standing up to a shared history shoulder to shoulder. Where there are Russians and Ossetians, there is always brotherhood. On 9th May 2026,Vladimir Putin and Alan Gagloev signed a treaty on deepening integration of South Ossetia with Russia. The document is a testimony to close allied relations advancing to a new level, another step towards bringing the peoples closer together. South Ossetia has proven itself, over all these years, as a reliable ally and a friend who does not change its convictions depending on historical situations.

President of the Republic of Abkhazia, Badra Gunba, together with Vladimir Putin, to review their staggering historical ties. Suffice it to say that trade turnover has grown by 16 percent in 2025. Both expected to experience an active growth in virtually all potential areas, surely to witness an additional momentum to the relations and bilateral economic development.

President Vladimir Putin interacted with President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Thongloun Sisoulith, who visited Moscow to take part in the Victory Day celebrations. Laos is an important partner – substantive and pragmatic. This country is advantageously located – the ASEAN is an important region. In 2025, Laos marked the 65th year of diplomatic relations with Russia, from the Soviet times.

As pointed out by the President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith, Lao side is ready to continue talks intended to expand the Russia-Laos interaction for significant practical results. The intergovernmental commission continues to play an important role in advancing trade and economic cooperation. And new opportunities for partnership are opening up now, that has become a dialogue partner in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Last year in October, both delegations discussed, ways to raise collaboration, at the 25th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation held in China.

Supreme Ruler of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim, noted while discussing with Putin that trade and economic ties continue developing. Considering all the necessary prerequisites, they hope to make certain necessary adjustments in order to develop, steadily, multifaceted cooperation. Next year, marks the 60th milestone of Malaysia-Russia diplomatic relations. Since 1967, the partnership has grown steadily into a strong and productive bond. The last meeting in St Petersburg in 2025, was described as constructive, fruitful, where both delegations shared similar aspirations to elevate the relationship between two parties.

Peoples Republic of China (PRC): As is known, extensive preparations are underway for Putin’s upcoming visit to China, and a meeting between President Trump and President Xi Jinping is also expected. Is there any connection between these diplomatic contacts? First, there has been constant emphasis that cooperation between Russia and China is an essential factor stabilising international relations today. China and Russia have agreements regulating international security, disarmament, and nuclear arms control. In this context, cooperation between Russia and China serves as an important factor in deterrence and strategic stability.

Second, China is the largest trade and economic partner. Bilateral trade exceeds $140 billion – which is an impressive result – and continues to grow.

Third, this trade is increasingly diversified, particularly through cooperation in high-technology sectors. The leadership of the People’s Republic of China, President Xi Jinping, supports this diversification into advanced technologies. Russia has major areas for cooperation in energy, including nuclear energy. Russia continues joint work in China to construct nuclear power facilities. There are also opportunities for cooperation in alternative energy, an area in which China has achieved major progress.

In addition, cooperation extends to space and traditional energy resources such as hydrocarbons, both oil and gas. I will not go into details at this stage, but very close to an agreement on taking a highly significant step forward in oil and gas cooperation.

As for continued contacts between the United States and China, Kremlin, without doubts, regards them as important and welcome them. This is another factor contributing to global stability. As they are each other’s major trade and economic partners, the nature of their relations has a substantial impact on the global economy. Stability and constructive engagement between the United States and China can, to some degree, benefit Russia.

The entire world is rapidly changing. The parameters are shifting, twisting relations as a result. But now people are beginning to understand that the situation is not so simple and that serious challenges have emerged, and those are not easy to overcome. It would be wiser to look for ways to restore normal relations and move toward mutually acceptable agreements.

For next few coming years, as Russia’s economy becomes stronger, on the basis of mutual respect and on consideration of external partners’ interests, Russia’s businesses will continue functioning, the banking system will continue working, and millions of people will have stable livelihoods. Important to note that Russia, currently, has the unemployment rate of 2.2 percent–the lowest among all G20 countries. These are not merely diplomatic clichés–that is genuinely how Russia approaches its relations with external partners, especially in this emerging multipolar world.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was involved in multiple heated arguments as he campaigned around Armenia ahead of the June elections in recent days, prompting arrests, criticism from observers, and reported calls for resignation.

During his campaign in Yerevan on Monday, tensions escalated when individuals in two different places approached Pashinyan with accusations related to the aftermath of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War of 2020.

In one incident, an argument broke out with a Nagorno-Karabakh refugee, Artur Osipyan, who was later arrested on suspicion of hooliganism.

‘You should have gone and died in place of our children, […] you thieving animals. Why are you alive? Why are you alive, when you’re even talking about another 5,000 victims, you scum — why are you alive?’, Pashinyan told Osipyan during their exchange.

He further warned others not to approach him with what he described as ‘Kocharyan–Serzh–[Karapetyan]-like spy narratives’ — referring to ex-presidents Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan, as well as Russian–Armenian tycoon Samvel Karapetyan.

Earlier the same day, another confrontation involved Arpine Sogoyan, an obstetrician-gynaecologist, who accused Pashinyan of ‘stealing [her] homeland’ and ‘destroying an entire generation’, referring to the victims of the 2020 war and subsequent escalations.

According to Factor, Sogoyan’s brother, Lieutenant Colonel Hrant Papikyan, went missing during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War.

Reports later emerged that she had been asked by the head of the clinic she works for to submit a resignation request, though her daughter, Tatevik Sogoyan, stated that no resignation had been submitted.

Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan, on Monday, in a press briefing, ruled out ‘that any person would be fired for their political views’.

Separately, observers have criticised Osipyan’s detention.

Daniel Ioannisyan from the Independent Observer argued that there were no elements of hooliganism or other criminal offences in Osipyan’s actions, and that he had only ‘expressed political criticism directed’ at Pashinyan. Ioannisyan noted that Pashinyan, in turn, made ‘personal, dignity-insulting remarks’.

The Independent Observer demanded the ‘immediate removal of restrictions on Artur Osipyan’s liberty’, and urged authorities to issue a public apology if the response was found to be disproportionate or politically motivated.

A separate incident on Tuesday in the Lori region also drew attention, where an elderly man attempting to approach Pashinyan was forcibly removed by what appears to have been plainclothes police officers.

The man, later identified as Artyom Grigoryan, is the grandfather of Aram Manukyan, a soldier who died in the deadly fire at a military barracks in the village of Azat in Geghakunik in January 2023 that left 15 soldiers dead.

Grigoryan accused Pashinyan of being culpable for the incident and demanded justice.

In turn, Pashinyan dubbed such actions as provocations orchestrated by Karapetyan, claiming that those criticising him in public in such a manner were paid ֏200,000 ($510) to do so.

‘It’s become a trend — sending one person everywhere. Let’s not pay attention’, Pashinyan said.

More arrests and investigations

Separately, Armenian authorities on Tuesday reported a newly uncovered case of alleged vote-buying linked to Karapetyan’s Strong Armenia Alliance.

According to investigators, several individuals, despite legal restrictions on acts of charity during the pre-election period, paid rent for a number of voters in the Lori region.

‘To avoid detection and reduce the traceability of their actions, the group members used intermediaries and vehicles belonging to them. The funds were mainly provided in cash, and employees of affiliated companies, as well as people from their circles, were involved in the process of receiving and distributing the money. In order to make tracking the movement of funds more difficult, they also planned to use Russian bank cards for financial transactions’, the Anti-Corruption Committee said in its statement.

This comes to be the latest uncovered case of alleged vote-buying from Karapetyan’s Strong Armenia. Since the start of the election campaign on 8 May, such reports have been made almost daily, predominantly concerning Karapetyan’s affiliates.

Also on Tuesday morning, Armenian authorities raided about 15 addresses in Yerevan for yet undisclosed reasons. According to Factor, the searches were being conducted to find weapons and ammunition.

Other incidents raise concerns

A number of civil rights organisations have expressed ‘deep concern’ regarding the death of Armen Hovhannisyan, who reportedly took his own life at the Mental Health Centre following his detention after tearing down campaign posters for Pashinyan and his Civil Contract party.

The civil rights defenders called for an ‘immediate, independent, and effective investigation’ into the circumstances of his alleged suicide and the legality of his detention.

In a separate case, campaign events led by Defence Minister Suren Papikyan in Lori were disrupted on 16 May by supporters of the Strong Armenia Alliance.

Authorities initiated criminal proceedings on charges of campaign obstructions, placing six people in pre-trial detention and another four under house arrest.

Another individual from Lori has also been placed under house arrest on suspicion of hooliganism over a social media post targeting a Civil Contract supporter.