Malaysia’s new emerging role

Kremlin course: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim shaking hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin after a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the recent EEF in Russia. — Bernama

The 9th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok earlier this month created new power dynamics and reflects the strategic intent by Russia to further bolster its weight and extended influence in the Global South and emerging powers in the non-Western bloc.

It sent a message to the West that despite the sanctions and the efforts to isolate Russia, it still has the option to increase leverage on other non-Western parties and allies to increase Moscow’s economic and trade options.