Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent diplomatic maneuvers have cast a spotlight on Moscow’s evolving foreign policy and its recalibrated alliances across the globe. In a series of high-profile engagements and statements delivered in early December 2025, Putin and his envoys have doubled down on Russia’s commitment to a multipolar world order, while distancing themselves from Western-led blocs and deepening ties with emerging powers in Asia and Africa.
On December 3, 2025, Russia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podelyshev, addressed the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos, articulating Moscow’s foreign policy vision. According to The Guardian Nigeria, Podelyshev emphasized that Russia’s approach is anchored in “multipolarity and multilateralism,” rejecting the notion of any single nation dominating global affairs. Instead, he described Russia’s role as “one of the supporting pillars of balance” in international relations, echoing President Putin’s stance that Russia “does not claim exceptional status but would firmly defend its interests and those of its partners within the framework of international law.”
Ambassador Podelyshev highlighted Russia’s unwavering support for the United Nations as the primary platform for global governance, noting, “As one of the authors of the UN Charter, Russia rejects attempts to replace its mandate with narrow coalitions.” He also pointed to Russia’s active promotion of peace, information security, and anti-terrorism initiatives on the world stage. The diplomat underscored the significance of BRICS—a grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—as a “key platform for fair global development.” Russia, he said, is invested in reforming the international financial architecture, expanding the use of national currencies, and building institutions like the New Development Bank.
Turning to Africa, Podelyshev observed, “Africa is not a pawn in someone else’s game but a player in its own right.” He praised the continent’s growing geopolitical agency, citing initiatives such as Agenda 2063, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and African-led mediation efforts, including the 2023 mission by seven African heads of state to Ukraine and Russia. Russia, he asserted, stands firmly behind Africa’s push for permanent representation on the UN Security Council and reforms to global financial institutions. Specifically, he identified Nigeria as a “strategic partner” with the demographic strength, economic potential, and diplomatic weight to become a “global centre of influence in the emerging world order.”
These remarks came as Russia and Nigeria marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties in November 2025. The ambassador outlined a broad agenda for cooperation, ranging from military-technical support and nuclear research to digital technology, infrastructure, and trade in grain and fertilizer. “Nigeria has all the prerequisites to move beyond purely African missions and become one of the global centres of power,” Podelyshev said, adding that Russia views Nigeria’s rise as beneficial to global stability and aligned with its own vision of a balanced international system.
Meanwhile, President Putin himself made headlines on December 4, 2025, with a blunt dismissal of any prospects for Russia’s return to the G8, now operating as the G7. In interviews with multiple outlets, including India Today and Aaj Tak, Putin declared, “Russia has no intention of returning to the G8,” arguing that the G7’s share in the global economy is “shrinking every year, like shagreen leather.” According to Business Today, he insisted that the bloc “offers Russia no strategic or economic advantage,” and that Moscow’s focus is instead on strengthening partnerships through platforms such as BRICS and the Eurasian Economic Union.
Putin’s remarks also revisited the circumstances of Russia’s suspension from the G8 in 2014, following the annexation of Crimea. While speculation about Russia’s potential reinstatement has surfaced periodically, ongoing tensions over the war in Ukraine have kept that door firmly closed. The Russian leader’s latest comments make clear that Moscow isn’t seeking a return, but rather is positioning itself as a leader in alternative groupings that better reflect the shifting balance of global power.
On the Ukraine conflict, Putin confirmed a recent meeting with intermediaries linked to former U.S. President Donald Trump—specifically Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. As reported by Business Today, he described the discussions on possible peace efforts as “very useful” and said the proposals were based on Trump’s broader plan for a “consensus-based settlement” of the conflict. However, Putin admitted, “Achieving such consensus would be not an easy task,” citing entrenched positions on both sides. He also reiterated Russia’s own proposal for a withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbas and a halt to military operations, claiming that Kyiv “preferred to fight” instead. Putin urged European countries to “get involved in the settlement process instead of obstructing it,” underscoring the continent’s vital stake in the outcome of the war.
As these diplomatic overtures unfolded, Putin arrived in New Delhi on December 4, 2025, for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit—an event steeped in tradition and strategic significance. According to IANS, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed Putin at the airport, breaking protocol to greet his “friend” upon disembarkation. The summit’s agenda was packed: discussions on defence and space sector collaboration, joint production of Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jets, and the launch of RT India, a Moscow-based global TV network delivering four daily news programs in English aimed at deepening ties between the two countries.
The India-Russia Business Forum, held in conjunction with the summit, reflected the enduring strength of bilateral relations—ties that have weathered the shifting tides of global politics since the days of the USSR. The partnership has been marked by robust military cooperation, with India’s acquisition of Russia’s S-400 air defence system playing a decisive role in recent regional conflicts. Following the success of these systems, India is now exploring the purchase of the more advanced S-500 Prometheus system to further bolster its air defences.
India and Russia also cooperate in various international groupings, including BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), both of which have gained prominence as platforms for political and economic collaboration among non-Western powers. The SCO, established in 2001, seeks to promote cooperation, peace, and a new, more equitable international order. In these forums, Russia and its partners advocate for a world defined by “open, multilateral diplomacy” rather than Cold War-era bloc competition.
The summit’s diplomatic choreography was not without its nuances. During the 2023 G20 meeting in New Delhi, India successfully negotiated a shift in the summit declaration’s language—from “Russian aggression” to the more neutral “war in Ukraine.” This change, as reported by IANS, reflected India’s desire to maintain neutrality and avoid direct attribution of blame, reframing the conflict as a broader challenge to global stability.
Putin’s visit to India, set against the backdrop of ongoing Western sanctions against Russia and India’s own navigation of tariff pressures and energy market volatility, served as both a reaffirmation of bilateral ties and a geopolitical signal. As Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told RT, “Russia and India enjoy relationships in most sensitive areas,” highlighting the depth of trust and cooperation between the two nations.
As Russia pivots toward the Global South and alternative power structures, its diplomatic overtures in Africa and Asia underscore a deliberate move away from Western-dominated institutions. Whether through expanded BRICS cooperation, support for African representation in global bodies, or deepening strategic ties with India, Moscow is making it clear that the era of unipolarity is, in its view, over. The coming years will reveal how these shifting alliances reshape the international order—and whether Russia’s vision of multipolarity gains traction beyond its closest partners.