Russia is shifting its focus toward building stronger diplomatic and military ties with countries like India, China, Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela, as its relations with the West continue to deteriorate. According to Valery Gerasimov, Russia's Chief of the General Staff, Moscow has lost trust in the United States and other Western powers, making arms control agreements increasingly irrelevant. Gerasimov criticized the "double standards" of the West, stating that trust is essential for effective mutual control, and with the current state of relations, such cooperation is impossible.

The breakdown of key Cold War-era arms control treaties, including the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty and the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, has been a significant point of contention between Russia and the US. The US withdrew from both treaties, citing Russian violations. Russia, in turn, has blamed the United States for the collapse of these agreements and has increasingly focused on developing ties with non-Western countries.

Furthermore, Gerasimov highlighted concerns over the US missile deployments in Europe and Asia, as well as the expansion of NATO's military presence near Russian borders, which he views as contributing to a new strategic arms race. He also emphasized that the US's involvement in Ukraine, particularly after supplying long-range missiles, has escalated the situation, making the US a direct participant in the conflict.

As Russia navigates this complex geopolitical landscape, it is doubling down on partnerships with countries that are seen as alternatives to Western alliances, aiming to build stronger political and military alliances to counterbalance the influence of the US and NATO.