This presentation explores the reframing of Russian identity and foreign policy amongst political and intellectual elites. These elites now face the urgent challenge of maintaining an appeal to so-called traditional values, and positioning Russia as an alternative to Europe, while attempting to intensify and extend relations with Asia, which increasingly means China. However Russia's weakened economic and political relationship with Europe also places it in an increasingly subordinate position in relation to its key partner in Asia. This talk examines the sudden redefinition of these relations and with it, the moving borders of Europe for Russia. If, prior to the invasion of Ukraine, Russia was on the margins of the Asia-Pacific, it now finds itself on a double-periphery.
