REGIONAL COOPERATION
in the western part of Ukraine, far from the Russian border. The Kremlin did not react to the exercise; however, given the degradation of the relations between Russia and the West v, it is doesn’ t seem likely of Russia to approve the exercise. Russia has never been comfortable with military training / exercises conducted by the West near its borders or in the countries of its influence.
In 2015, when the US military was training Ukrainian troops, the Kremlin stated that it could destabilise eastern Ukraine vi by provoking further edginess between the two adversaries. Hence, a sense of insecurity in the aftermath of the two combat exercises is evident.
The Rapid Trident 2018 signals combative preparedness and Ukraine’ s alliance with the NATO, sending a defensive vibe to Russia. Likewise, the Vostok-2018 counter threats the West and its allies in the region. The NATO’ s increasing engagement in Asia-Pacific; namely with Mongolia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, forms a kind of mini- NATO, which a reasonable threat to Russia and China.
Moreover, the deployment of the US’ ballistic missiles defence systems, including Terminal High Altitude Area as the Syrian crisis. Both the countries aspire to dismantle the US hegemony.
The assimilation of their militaries for the Vostok-2018 exercises is no surprise since the two countries have often come together for many bilateral and multilateral drills, the latest being the " Peace Mission " for Shanghai Cooperation Organization( SCO), conducted right before the Vostok exercise. However, given the transitional atmosphere of the world order, growing relationship between Russia and China, including military exercises as well as operations in South China Sea sends signals of their common perspective on world politics.
While Russia and China talk about no bloc-approach, the escalating events and counter reactions to security concerns makes the comparison to the Cold War era unavoidable.
References:
i Russia holds four large-scale annual training exercises, which are“ Vostok”, " Zapad ", " Central " and " Caucasus ". ii In 1981, Soviet Union had conducted the exercise named
Japan, has been apprehensive of the growing Russia-China partnership and their rising military might. The partnership has grown stronger, especially after the West-led 2014 sanctions on Moscow.
Defense( THAAD), in the Asia-Pacific poses a challenge to Russia and China’ s interests in the region.
One particular US ally in the region with whom both Russia and China have their differences is Japan. On 28 August, in its annual defence white paper, Tokyo noted that it feels tensed owing to the tangible and acute security environment around it. China’ s rapid military modernisation near the Diaoyudao Islands and in the South China Sea is fast becoming a security concern for Tokyo.
Meanwhile, Russia and Japan continue to have their conflict over the Kuril Island. Though resolution talks are in progress between the leaders of the two nations, the results seem far-fetched given the strategic stakes and uncompromising attitude of both the conflicting parties. Hence, despite its economic cooperation with both the countries, this aspect of territorial insecurity posed by growing Russia-China relations cannot be ignored by Japan.
The West, like Japan, has been apprehensive of the growing Russia-China partnership and their rising military might. The partnership has grown stronger, especially after the West-led 2014 sanctions on Moscow. The influence of Russia-China relations could be seen on the various verticals with their common stance on the international challenges such
“ Zapad-1981” which was larger than the " Vostok-2018”. iii After this exercise, both the countries will conduct a bilateral military exercise in the near future. iv“ Rapid Trident: Ukraine conducts joint military exercises with NATO nations”, GK Today, September 4, 2018. https:// currentaffairs. gktoday. in / rapid-trident-ukraine-conductsjoint-military-exercises-nato-nations-09201860715. html( Accessed on September 12, 2018). v Currently, relationship between Russia and Turkey is fi ne but the balancing act of Ankara between Moscow and the West, especially by participating in the Rapid Trident exercise, will keep decades long mistrust between the two countries prevalent. vi Thomas Reuters,“ Here ' s the US military training in Ukraine that ' s making Russia really mad”, PRI, May 19, 2015. https:// www. pri. org / stories / 2015-05-19 / heres-usmilitary-training-ukraine-thats-making-russia-really-madphotos( Accessed on September 14, 2018).
* Dr. Indrani Talukdar is a Research Fellow at ICWA, New Delhi.
Disclaimer: The views are that of the authors and not of the Council.
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 6 • Issue 9 • September 2018, Noida • 51