{
  "id": 7250295,
  "title": "Why strengthening ties with the Global South was a top priority for Putin’s recent diplomacy blitz",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/why-strengthening-ties-with-the-global-south-was-a-top-priority-for",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T04:37:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Conversation AU",
    "slug": "the-conversation-au",
    "url": "https://theconversation.com/why-strengthening-ties-with-the-global-south-was-a-top-priority-for-putins-recent-diplomacy-blitz-290946"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Over the past two weeks, Russian President Vladimir Putin embarked on a diplomatic blitz visiting Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Vladivostok, Russia's Far East; and New Delhi, India, alongside a state visit from Vietnam's leader. He met with approximately 18 heads of state, including influential figures from the Global South such as China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, and Turkey. Although the Ukraine War was discussed, Russia's focus during these talks centered around fuel, trade, and transit.\n\nFuel and energy security is of mutual concern for Russia and its Global South partners. Ukraine's aggressive campaign targeting Russia's oil refining capacity has led to fuel shortages in the country, prompting Moscow to import refined fuel from countries it typically exports to, such as Belarus, Turkey, and India. Additionally, Russia aims to expand its energy exports, including the completion of the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, which will transport 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually from Russia to China via Mongolia.\n\nThe sanctions war between Russia and the West has made economic and trade relations with the Global South crucial for Russia's survival and future development. Two significant interstate bodies, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), are becoming increasingly important for Russia. BRICS, comprising 11 economies, now accounts for about 40% of global GDP, while SCO, a political and security bloc, surpassed US$400 billion in trade turnover in 2025.\n\nRussia's focus on trade with Asia, which accounted for 73.4% of Russia's trade turnover in 2025, highlights the importance of bypassing disruptions in the Middle East. The Russian president successfully secured US$7.7 billion in investments for Vladivostok and other lucrative deals with Vietnam during his diplomatic blitz. Furthermore, Russia and its core partners in Asia signaled their commitment to maintaining strategic partnership links, particularly regarding fossil fuel imports and exports, which are crucial for stabilising the domestic situation.",
  "summary": "The Ukraine war certainly featured in conversations. Tellingly, however, Putin steered many talks with leaders towards fuel, trade and transit.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}