The world is changing, there is a political and economic reorientation of the interests of many countries neighboring Russia. Russia itself is changing. All of this has a strong impact on Russia's relations with its former partners. In other words, many of Russia's historical allies are now difficult to call her well-wishers. This means that Russia itself has to reorient itself in building cooperation with other countries.
Russia and the post-Soviet space
It is obvious that all the former republics of the USSR are still located in the “Russian field”. This means that most of the population was brought up in Soviet culture, which means, they say, think in Russian. At the same time, the attitude of the residents of these republics to Russia cannot be called unambiguously loyal.
Of all the former republics of the USSR, only Kazakhstan and Belarus are 100% associated with their development with Russia. But even these countries look at their interaction with Russia within the framework of the "Eurasian Union" as its sovereign members.
In addition, nationalist sentiments are strong in Kazakhstan and Belarus.
The countries of South Ossetia, Transnistria and Abkhazia, unrecognized by the international community, also largely depend on Russia and are interested in cooperation. Ukraine is very important for the development of Russia, relations with which have only deteriorated over the years and aggravated to a critical point. After the well-known events on the Maidan in the winter of 2013-2014, the fall of the Yanukovych regime (a politician who built relations with Russia, albeit restrained, but pragmatic in nature), military operations in southeastern Ukraine, the situation completely got out of control. There is no need to talk about Ukraine joining the Eurasian Union either at the present time or in the near future.
Baltic countries
It is impossible to talk about good-neighborly relations with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. At present, the countries are members of the North Atlantic Treaty, NATO conducts military exercises on their territory, although the republics themselves do not pose a threat in military terms.
Historical allies of Russia in the Islamic world
Russia is actively developing cooperation with Syria and Iran. With Russia, these countries are united by opposition to the West, as well as to the countries of the Persian Gulf. Syria is a strategic partner of Russia, because provides her with the possibility of a military presence in the Mediterranean. Cooperation with Iran can be carried out in the field of railway construction, space exploration, in the field of peaceful nuclear energy, since Iran itself is interested in these programs.
Historical allies of Russia in Latin America
Countries such as Venezuela and Cuba, thanks to their socialist orientation, can become Russia's strategic partners in many areas. In addition, cooperation with Latin American countries is attractive for Russia in the sense that they are adjacent to the United States, Russia's main geopolitical adversary.
India and China can also become Russia's partners in maintaining stability in the Eurasian region. Good relations with India have been preserved since the days of the USSR. Here a course can be taken for cooperation within the framework of scientific, economic, military-technical programs. Russia, India and China can implement joint projects to develop infrastructure in the region. In addition, it will be easier for the alliance of these countries to contain radical Islamists.
