Why strengthening ties with the Global South was a top priority for Putin’s recent diplomacy blitz

Over the past two weeks, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin staged a major diplomatic blitz. Across three events in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan , Vladivostok in Russia’s Far East and New Delhi, India , as well as a state visit by Vietnam’s leader , he met with some 18 heads of state.

Among them were the leaders of heavyweights of the Global South such as China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia and Turkey, just to name a few.