Alexander A.Vologdin

PhD, Associate Professor

Russian Foreign Trade Academy,

6A Vorobiyovskoe Highway

Moscow, Russian Federation, 119285

Head of the Department of Theory and History of State and Law

Russia's interest in the Asia-Pacific region (APR) has long-standing historical roots. Since the XVII century, the annexation of Siberia and the Far Eastern territories, the eastern vector of foreign policy has been stable and is an important factor in the economic development of the country.

In the last decade, we have seen an increase in Russia's attention to the region, which is a consequence of the increase in the economic and political importance of the APR in the world.

The Eastern vector of Russia's modern policy is aimed at solving three main tasks: accelerating the development of the Russian Far East, integrating the Russian economy into the APR, and strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation with the countries of the region.

The concept of the foreign policy of the Russian Federation (approved on March 31, 2023) sets one of the most important tasks the formation of a Large Eurasian Partnership that unites the potential of all states, regional organizations (EAEU, SCO, ASEAN, etc.), the coupling of the development plans of the EAEU and the Chinese "The Belt and Road initiative" while maintaining the possibility of participation in this partnership all interested states and multilateral associations of the Eurasian continent.

In the context of confrontation with the collective West after the coup d'etat in 2014 in Ukraine, the "Turn to the East" has become an important factor in hedging foreign policy risks.

In addition, the activation of the eastern vector of Russian foreign policy, economic and humanitarian cooperation, the so-called "Turn to the East" is the practical implementation of the Russian concept of a multipolar world, within which it sees itself as one of the global poles of power.

The uniqueness of the situation in the Eurasian space is determined by the fact that the emergence of an undisputed hegemon is unlikely here. A region that includes three great powers (Russia, India, China) and a large group of smaller but significant states (Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, Vietnam, etc.) can not only be a region of tough competition, but also, on the contrary, contribute to the emergence of a unique international cooperation regime.

Keywords: Russia, China, turn to East, Asia-Pacific region, Greater Eurasia, regional integration.