By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A leaked Kremlin report details Russia’s plan to establish a Moscow-led Eurasian trade bloc to counter Western influence and restore global power. This bloc aimed to connect the Global South through resource access and strengthened financial ties, even establishing its own sanctions policy. However, the report acknowledges that the invasion of Ukraine and subsequent Western sanctions have significantly hampered this ambition, driving former allies away and limiting Russia’s influence in the post-Soviet space. The Kremlin intends to pursue a long-term strategy, emphasizing shared history and apparent respect for national independence to regain influence in Central Asia. Despite these challenges, the report cites Belarus as a successful example of ongoing Russian influence.
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Russia’s plans for a new world order, supposedly leaked, paint a picture of ambitious, yet arguably unrealistic, goals. The core of this plan centers around establishing a powerful trading bloc to directly challenge the European Union and other Western economic entities. This is a long-term strategy, one that some intelligence analysts claim has been in the works for over two decades, even taught at military colleges since the late 1990s. The architect behind this vision is often cited as Aleksandr Dugin, whose book, *Foundations of Geopolitics*, lays out a detailed framework for this Eurasianist geopolitical strategy.
However, the sheer scale of Russia’s economic limitations casts doubt on the feasibility of such a plan. Russia’s economy, roughly the size of Italy’s, would need a dramatic, almost impossible, increase in size to even begin to rival the EU’s economic power. This stark reality highlights a significant disconnect between the ambition of the plan and the current state of the Russian economy. The assertion that Russia could successfully establish a counterweight to existing global powers seems far-fetched, given its current economic fragility and ongoing struggles.
The leaked details supposedly include a proposal to offer China free rein in Southeast Asia in exchange for support. This suggests a willingness to leverage potential alliances, even at the cost of potentially inflaming regional tensions and triggering significant international backlash. A further component of the strategy involves attempts to destabilize the United States through support for extremist groups, aiming to create internal conflict and isolate the country from global affairs. These elements of the strategy suggest a willingness to employ aggressive and potentially destabilizing tactics to achieve their objectives.
The alleged leak also reveals the central role of Belarus in the proposed trade route, acting as a key mediator between China, Europe, and the United States. This highlights Russia’s recognition of its geographical position and its attempt to exploit it for maximum economic and geopolitical leverage. The overall goal appears to be not only countering Western influence but also to limit China’s burgeoning regional power, an ambition that seems internally contradictory given the dependence on China for support.
The timing of this supposed leak is also significant. It comes at a time when Russia is deeply embroiled in the war in Ukraine, facing heavy casualties and economic sanctions. This raises serious questions about Russia’s ability to execute such a grand strategy while grappling with its current challenges. The fact that Russia is even considering such a plan amid its military setbacks and economic woes showcases a degree of delusion or perhaps desperation in their geopolitical maneuvering.
The very notion of a “leak” is also challenged. Many argue that the core tenets of Russia’s geopolitical strategy have been openly discussed for years, primarily through Dugin’s writings and public statements. It is the brazenness and the apparent disregard for the reality of Russia’s current situation that make this supposed leak particularly remarkable. The inherent flaws of the plan, particularly the immense economic hurdles, raise questions about the seriousness of the project and the likelihood of its success. The conflict in Ukraine and its consequential economic and military strains appear to severely undermine the viability of any ambitions on the scale outlined.
The reaction to this purported leak has ranged from ridicule to concern. The perceived hubris and delusion inherent in Russia’s plans have been widely highlighted, alongside concerns about the potential for further regional instability. However, the underlying concerns about resource competition, particularly for oil and gas, remain valid, even if Russia’s ability to achieve its grand ambitions is highly questionable. Regardless of the validity or authenticity of the “leak,” the underlying tensions and global power dynamics highlighted by Russia’s long-term plans remain a source of significant concern.