The change in the geopolitical landscape, which occurred under the influence of the COVID19 pandemic and the beginning of a special military operation, served to change the foreign policy course of the Russian Federation. The pandemic has significantly reduced the population and had a devastating impact on the economies of almost all countries of the world. The special military operation announced by the President of the Russian Federation in February 2022 had an impact on all EU countries and the United States, which sided with Ukraine. Supplies of ammunition, weapons, military equipment, as well as large financial resources were aimed at weakening Russia's military potential. Under these conditions, Russia has put forward the thesis that a unipolar world can no longer exist, and in the new geopolitical conditions, we should talk about multipolarity. The introduction of anti–Russian sanctions has determined another vector of development of Russia's economy and politics - the Global South. The countries of the African continent and the Middle East, adopting Russia's policy of non-interference in the affairs of other countries, although rather cautiously, are developing cooperation with the Russian Federation. Russia is choosing a new vector of cooperation in the context of building a multipolar world, which should be built on the basis of the laws of mutual respect, mutually beneficial cooperation and international law. Russia's return to the Middle East and African countries has serious grounds, as it is based on the experience of the USSR in building enterprises, infrastructure facilities, creating jobs and training personnel. At the same time, time dictates new areas of cooperation, among which the most relevant are: the fight against international terrorism, the suppression of drug trafficking, the prevention of illegal arms trade, issues of peaceful settlement and information security on the territory of the African continent and the Middle East. Russia stands for expanding its presence in the regional markets of weapons, nuclear fuel, oil and gas. Much attention in matters of cooperation between Russia and the countries of the Global South is paid to building a strategic partnership in the field of agriculture, which would help prevent a food crisis in individual countries and increase their own agricultural production. Russia is ready to act as the main supplier of mineral fertilizers and agricultural products. The most urgent problems to be solved in the region are still the construction of nuclear power plants, the development of oil and gas fields, and the production of petrochemical products. In these matters, the Russian Federation is ready to act as a partner providing its specialists and technologies. The leaders of the countries of the Great South are showing great interest in the development of digital technologies and banking. Special attention is paid to participation in space exploration. The Russian Federation is making efforts to expand its diplomatic presence and establish a political dialogue with the countries of the Global South, as a result of attracting them to participate in long–term alliances.
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Feb 1, 2024
Chukwuebuka Edum 
Open Access
