Russian “Pivot to the East” Strategy: Opportunities and Challenges for Coupling with Chinese Transregional Projectsy

Ukrainian Crisis of 2014 is crucial for Russian pivot to the East which is considered to be a tool for tackling economic challenges and avoiding diplomatic isolation. Economically, this pivot implies cooperation with AsiaPacific region in trade and energy. Politically, it means closer ties with the states of that region. At the same time, the success of the strategy hinges on the state of affairs in energy and on promoting to Asian markets specifi c goods that turns out to be a constraint for diversifi cation of the Russian economy. Moreover, culturally and social Russia is much closer to Europe than Asia, and that is one more obstacle to “Pivot to the East” strategy realization. However, transregional projects of the recent years, including Chinese initiative “One Belt – One Road” and Russian “Pivot to the East” might be key to enhance the strategic potential of Russia-China cooperation which meets Chinese national interests.