Valdai Club

The field of AI technology should not be seen as a zero-sum game arena, but as a model of international cooperation. Though China is under strict technology blockade by the United States, cooperation between AI scientists in both countries and industries still yields gratifying breakthroughs. Geopolitical or ideological considerations should not be an excuse to hinder international cooperation in AI technology, as cooperation will not only promote technological improvement and benefit mankind, but also help address the common challenges that AI brings to all countries, writes Ying Xue. The author is a research fellow of Xinhua Institute.

Trump’s return to the Oval Office and translation of rhetoric into actions and subsequent developments set forth the permissive environment for potential rapprochement with Russia.Reaching a peace deal on the Ukraine conflict will certainly have irreversible impacts on the global geopolitical landscape, European security and the Global South, specifically Pakistan, Almas Haider Naqvi writes.

Changes in the United States could provide significant support to Viktor Orbán, who was the first in Europe to openly back Donald Trump in his struggle against the European mainstream, writes Gábor Stier. The Hungarian prime minister has a keen sense of global trends, and the fruits of this may become evident during a potential Trump presidency. However, this hinges on Orbán maintaining his power in the 2026 elections, while last year his position weakened for the first time in a long while.

Russia is prepared to assist its African partners and establish close trade and economic cooperation without demanding changes in ideology, politics, or value systems. This approach distinguishes Russia’s policy from that of the West, earning the hopeful attention of many African leaders. They see the deepening of ties with Russia as a pathway to achieving the continent’s final decolonization and ending the hegemonic ambitions of the “collective West,” writes Konstantin Pantserev.

Each party at the negotiating table holds a strong position in its own regard, and neither approaches the dialogue from a place of weakness. Each understands its interests and is ready to engage in discussions about them. It appears to be the first time in a very long while that Russia and the US are entering negotiations with such a mindset, writes Valdai Club Programme Director Ivan Timofeev.

For countries like Pakistan, situated at the strategic crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, understanding and navigating the changing geopolitical landscape is crucial for leveraging opportunities and mitigating regional cooperation and development challenges, writes Javairyah Aatif. The author is a participant of the Valdai – New Generation project.

A honeymoon” in cooperation between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan is coming and it is very important not to miss the moment and make the most of the favourable situation to restore and strengthen interstate relations, Sherali Rizoyon writes.

The ongoing negotiations between Russia and the United States on the Ukrainian issue have rekindled hopes for a return to constructive dialogue on other fronts, particularly in the realm of strategic stability and nuclear arms control. To what extent are Moscow and Washington prepared for such dialogue? What political preconditions exist, and what parameters might it take? Ivan Timofeev, Programme Director of the Valdai Club, delves into these pressing questions.

Trump’s personality is unpredictable, the stability and continuity of his policies are far from guaranteed, and the possibility of policy reversals remains ever-present, writes Zhao Huasheng in the second installment of his two-part series analyzing the seismic shifts in US foreign policy. The first part is available here.

Despite widespread anticipation of possible changes in US-Russia relations in the wake of Trump’s return to power, the shift has been more drastic and rapid than anyone could have imagined, writes Zhao Huasheng in the first installment of his two-part series analyzing the seismic changes in US foreign policy.