Politics

Why Russia is finding favour in Southeast Asia once again

Published

12 months ago

December 10, 2024

A handout photo taken on November 28 from the armed forces of the Philippines shows a Philippine surveillance plane monitoring a Russian submarine, spotted 80 nautical miles from Mindoro island in the South China Sea. Photo: AFP

As Russia seeks Global South partners and the war in Ukraine drags on, Southeast Asian states are rekindling ties with the Kremlin

“That’s very concerning. Any intrusion into the West Philippine Sea, of our [exclusive economic zone], of our baselines, is very worrisome,” said Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, following reports of a Russian submarine’spresence within Philippine-claimed waters. Philippine navy spokesperson Roy Vincent Trinidad shared that officials in Manila were “surprised” because the submarine was “very unique”.

The Russian submarine in question is believed to have been the kilo-class, diesel-powered Project 636.3 variant, equipped with a missile system that boasts a range of 12,000 kilometres (7,456 miles). However, some were quick to downplay the incident, since there was nothing particularly illegal about the submarine’s presence.

Under international law, foreign military vessels enjoy freedom of navigation within the 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone of coastal states. Moreover, even Filipino officials admitted that the Russian submarine crew had clarified that they needed to temporarily surface due to bad weather en route back to Vladivostok.

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Nevertheless, the alarmed response from Manila underscores growing tensions between Russia and US allies such as the Philippines, which have squarely backed Ukraine in the war.

Russia’s “no limits” partnership with China and its joint exercises with the Asian superpower in the South China Sea earlier this year have spooked US allies, which fear growing military cooperation between the two countries in the Western Pacific.

Across the broader Southeast Asian region, however, Russia is enjoying a second wind by, for example, exploiting anti-Western sentiment in the Global South as the conflict in Gaza rages on. If anything, Russian President Vladimir Putin has a cult following among both regional elites and the broader masses. In countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam, most people polled by a Globescan online survey are betting on Moscow in its current conflict with Kyiv.

Intent on steering clear of US-China rivalry, countries also want to maintain robust ties with other powers such as Russia, which has no territorial and maritime disputes in the region. Despite Western sanctions and major reversals on the battlefield, Russia’s defence industry is still keen on maintaining a major foothold in Southeast Asian markets.

After years of steadily expanding its influence in the Indo-Pacific, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 heavily undercut its charm offensive across Southeast Asia. The Eurasian power not only faced sanctions from the West but also from Singapore, a key financial and diplomatic hub in Southeast Asia. Most countries in the region also backed the United Nations General Assembly resolution condemning the all-out invasion of sovereign Ukraine.

Lacking the economic and geopolitical weight of China and India, which maintained robust trade and strategic ties with Russia, much smaller Southeast Asian nations were also wary of running afoul of Western sanctions.

A collector and seller of Russian souvenirs poses at her shop in Hanoi, Vietnam, on June 16. Photo: Reuters

US allies such as the Philippines cancelled a Mil Mi-17 helicopter deal worth at least US$215 million, and other countries announced similar reversals. Indonesia stalled a major defence contract with Russia. Vietnam, which enjoys a free-trade pact with Russia, reconsidered major commercial deals with Moscow.

The International Criminal Court’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for Putin for alleged atrocities in Ukraine further deepened Russia’s isolation. Two years into the conflict, however, Russia is steadily rebuilding its influence in Southeast Asia.

A stalemate of sorts in Ukraine, despite military support from Nato, coupled with Western support for Israel’s unprecedented bombardment of Gaza, has radically altered strategic discourse across the Global South.

With the US and its European allies confronting widespread accusations of hypocrisy, Russia has wasted no time in presenting itself as a pillar of anti-Western resistance, a victim of the transatlantic security alliance’s expansionism and a genuine partner of the Global South.

Moreover, Russia’s doctrine of “sovereign democracy” in which the state led by a charismatic strongman preserves national autonomy against Western interference is particularly attractive to illiberal regimes in Southeast Asia. Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte once described Putin as a “hero” and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reportedly admires the Russian president.

However, Southeast Asia’s attraction to Russia also has a more pragmatic genesis.

In Vietnam, which heavily relies on Russian submarines and fighter jets, officers steeped in Russian military doctrine have been trained to operate Cyrillic-script weapons systems. It is perhaps no surprise that Vietnam, which hosted Putin earlier this year, is reportedly negotiating a multibillion dollar defence deal despite Western sanctions.

According to an internal document from the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance, which has been exploring ways to circumvent sanctions through joint energy ventures in Siberia, Hanoi is determined to “strengthen strategic trust” even if “Russia is being embargoed by Western countries in all aspects”.

For other non-aligned Southeast Asian nations such as Indonesia and Malaysia, both long-standing customers of Russian weaponry, the prospect of improved US-Russia ties in the coming Trump administration could ease the resumption of historically warm strategic ties with Moscow.

Then-Indonesian president-elect Prabowo Subianto (second left) shakes hands with Russian deputy prime minister Denis Manturov (right) during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin (far left) and Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov (centre), in Moscow, on July 31.

Southeast Asian states are already welcoming direct military cooperation, including the first-ever joint Indonesian-Russian naval exercises in the Java Sea last month. Taking place just weeks after Prabowo assumed the presidency, the exercise involved the two sides conducting counterterrorism drills and simulating warfare against unmanned boats.

Meanwhile, countries in the region have worked with Russian energy companies to develop offshore resources, including in contested waters claimed by China.

Non-aligned countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia see Russia as a potential partner in creating a post-Western multipolar order. Some are keen to join the Brics grouping of non-Western powers. A pariah in the West, Putin’s Russia is steadily rebuilding ties with lucrative markets and receptive audiences in Southeast Asia.

Politics

President Tinubu Transmits to The Senate Lists Of Ambassadorial Nominees

Published

11 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.

Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.

The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.

Politics

PRESIDENT TINUBU FORWARDS NEW AMBASSADORIAL LIST TO SENATE, NOMINATES DAMBAZAU, IBAS, CHIOMA OHAKIM AND OTHERS

Published

16 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
4-DEC- 2025

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a fresh set of ambassadorial nominations to the Senate, featuring a mix of distinguished public figures and seasoned professionals drawn from across the country.

Among the notable nominees are former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; former Chief of Naval Staff and immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; former senator Ita Enang; and Mrs. Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State.

The President formally transmitted two comprehensive lists containing 34 career and 31 non-career ambassadorial nominees, bringing the total number of nominees awaiting Senate confirmation to 68.

The newly submitted lists mark another significant step in the administration’s ongoing diplomatic restructuring, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s representation and presence across global missions.

The Senate is expected to commence screening and confirmation proceedings in the coming days.

Politics

I’m Not Playing Politics with Nnamdi Kanu’s Release – Gov Otti Replies Chief Ogbonna

Published

19 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to a Former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Abia State, Chief Charles Ogbonna, wherein he called Governor Alex Otti unprintable names and also alleged that Governor Otti didn’t visit President Tinubu to discuss the issue of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, but to plan on how to defect to the APC, among other childish verbal attacks.

Chief Ognonna has been unleashing unprovoked verbal venom and vituperation on the Governor, but we chose to ignore him, not only because we have been busy with the task of governance, but because we also know that he is traumatised by the obscurity he was plunged into after the 2023 general election and felt he should be allowed to experience some healing that could help normalise his reasoning.

Ordinarily, we would have still ignored Chief Ognonna’s latest idle tirade and allow him delude himself with fantasies of fury, but because the Nnamdi Kanu issue is both sensitive and very important to this government, we felt we should respond and put the records straight.

In continuation of Governor Otti’s efforts aimed at securing Kanu’s release, the Governor subsequently had a meeting with the President after visiting the IPOB leader at the Sokoto Correctional Centre on Sunday, November 30 2025. This is in continuation of earlier meetings the Governor had been having with the FG on this matter in the past two years.

The issue of Kanu was the only subject matter that took Governor Otti to Aso Rock and to the Glory of God, the meeting was both positive and fruitful, as the President was so gracious and generous.

Chief Ogbonna’s allegation of Governor Otti going to lobby to join the APC is both petty, ignoble, laughable and very irresponsible. At the risk of sounding immodest, any political party Governor Otti chooses to join today would roll out the drums and red carpet to welcome him with joy and excitement. If anything, many notable and respected APC leaders are not just desirous of having him in their fold, but are strongly appealing to Governor Otti to join their party because they know that he is not a liability.

Ogbonna accused Otti of betrayal, but he didn’t say who Otti betrayed, how and when.

He claimed that Otti doesn’t have capacity, yet Otti defeated him in his Polling Unit, Ward and LGA where his PDP Candidates from House of Assembly to President lost woefully.

He accused Governor Otti of inconsistency, yet he abandoned Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar less than 48 hours after the result of the Presidential Election was announced, in spite of the empty noise and boast he made about the PDP’s Presidential Candidate, all for Atiku’s money when it was needed and available.

He alleged that Governor Otti is playing politics with Nnamdi Kanu, yet, he is angry that the Governor is engaging the FG to secure Kanu’s freedom. Is there anything more contradictory and ridiculous than Ogbonna’s utterances?

At this point, the general public needs to know the genesis of Chief Ogbonna’s anger and aggression.

Having acquired Agbozu Cocoa Plantation when he was in government, the present government decided to reclaim the Plantation which was yielding nothing to the state under Charles Ogbonna. In line with Governor Otti’s policy of operating a government with human face, which sees him pay compensation so as not to hurt any citizen or investor, he approved a compensation package which was paid to Chief Ogbonna. He was excited and full of thanks and appreciation to Governor Otti for the gesture, because he knew he didn’t deserve it. Unfortunately and in line with his insatiable quest for power and money, he thought that another opportunity had opened for him to surreptitiously sneak into the government as he later nominated his son to be appointed by Governor Otti. The Governor flatly declined the request and subsequently appointed another person from the same Ogbonna’s Community, a development that made him feel slighted, diminished and broken and has since then gone out of control, throwing tantrums and hoping to be invited for settlement.

Chief Ogbonna’s problem, like some of his co-travellers is his failure to wake up from his slumber and realise that the era of ruins is over and that Abia has moved forward, never to be dragged back.

His primitive arrogance and mediocre mindset that limit his understanding of government and governance to political appointments, settlement and sharing of public funds without service to the people has so blinded him to the extent that he attacked the Governor recently for awarding the badly broken Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene road, claiming that the FG had aleady awarded it and thus should not be awarded by the Governor. How could any human being with conscience prefer that his people continue to suffer and die in their numbers just because he feels that building the strategic road would earn the Governor a huge political capital? Ogbonna needs to be reminded that such evil mindset has no place in the New Abia.

Even though Ogbonna’s character deficiency doesn’t position him for any modicum of respect, however, having advanced in age, he is expected to conduct himself honourably and responsibly so as not to attract insults to himself.

Finally, Ogbonna needs to be educated that one of the hallmarks of a great leader is his ability to apply wisdom, emotional intelligence and deploy the instrument of diplomacy in solving problems that have the propensity to impact the security of life and property of the people negatively if handled wrongly.

Governor Otti didn’t campaign with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s name in 2023, and doesn’t need to campaign with his plight for 2027, however, he strongly believes that resolving the problem of Kanu’s conviction is one of the ways to achieving peace, security and healing in our land. Unfortunately, Chief Ogbonna is not grounded, both in character and knowledge of the ingredients of modern leadership, hence his kindergarten politicisation of Governor Otti’s engagements with the FG and visit to the President.

Now that Ogbonna has become an errand boy in the APC, he needs to be reminded that he can pursue his stomach agenda without necessarily carrying out this misplaced aggression against Governor Otti, because it makes him look more pathetic than he can ever imagine.

Ferdinand Ekeoma

Special Adviser to the Governor

(Media and Publicity)

December 4, 2025.