Moscow Conference on International Security to begin

The 10th annual Moscow Conference on International Security will take place today. Defense ministers, chiefs of army staff and international organizations from 35 countries are expected to participate. The participants will mostly be from Russia-friendly autocratic states.

The conference will take place simultaneously with the Army International Military-Technical Forum and the International Army Games, both also hosted by Russia’s Defense Ministry. Russia has tried to consolidate support from mostly developing countries since beginning of its war in Ukraine through diplomatic engagement—including Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s recent trip to Africa—and its biggest efforts have centered on deepening relations with China and Iran.

Expect Russia’s efforts to seek allies and ways to circumvent Western sanctions to continue at fast pace in the coming months, as it continues to push its troops deeper into Ukraine. This will include additional actions to push Russia’s narrative of a justified military intervention in Ukraine, such as hosting the International Anti-Fascist Conference as part of the current events near Moscow. Over the coming days, expect Russia to also sign weapons export deals worth billions of dollars with countries unable to procure Western equipment and weapons, which will likely generate further condemnation from the US and its allies.