Putin flies to Asian summit to win place for Russia
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-11 19:58

Russia denies suggestions its growing activity in Asia is aimed against any third country, and especially against the United States and NATO which Moscow suspects of stoking tensions in ex-Soviet Central Asia.

But analysts say an invitation for Putin to take part as a guest of the Kuala Lumpur summit, attended by all major regional players but not the United States, is seen by the Kremlin as the membership card to a new club.

But for now, Moscow's still small role in the Asian economy prevents it from being a central member.

Russia's share of the trade of Associaton of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is only 0.4 percent. The figure is only slightly higher for China and India.

One of its biggest trade items is weaponry. Asia buys over 90 percent of Russia's $5 billion of annual arms exports.

Russia wants more access to Asian markets as well as investment in its poor Asian provinces, which account for two-thirds of Russian territory.

"Russia was lucky to find itself on the right side at the time of Asia's rise," Vremya Novostei wrote. "The task now is to translate it into good political relations and good business."