ABSTRACT
The chapter looks at the Russian “pivot” to the East, and the way it was driven by geo-economics. The analysis shows how Russia’s original plan for engaging closer with East Asia was focused on using the export of hydrocarbons as strategic leverage. However, the profound changes in the global energy market have undermined the rationale for that plan. Instead, Russia has found itself in a situation of geo-economic weakness, which has been recognised by its Asian neighbours, which have started to target Russia with their own economic pressure. To off-set this uncomfortable position, Russia has increasingly started to rely on geopolitical and, particularly, military instruments.
