Russia Pushes for More Foreign Military Bases

Nikolai Pankov at a meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry, 2015.

Russian Defense Minister NikolaiPankov revealed in October 2016 that Russia will contemplate reopening military bases in Vietnam and Cuba. Russia likely sees the bases as opportunities to expand its global military presence, which has becomeincreasingly important to the Kremlin astensions with the West have escalated.

Russian bases in Cuba and Vietnam closed in 2002, but Pankov said Russia was “rethinking” this decision. Each base is a reminder of Cold War events. Analysts like Maxim Starchak have claimed that the decision may be intended to send a message to the West “that every new countermove will only instigate a response.”

Vietnam, however, hasrefused the Russian proposal, citing its policy to deny any foreign military bases on its soil. The country cited its decision to deny any foreign military bases on its soil. The editor of The Latin Americanist, Gregory Weeks, has said that Cuba may refuse the offer as it seeks closer ties with the United States.

Izvestia reported that Russia and Egypt were in talks to open a Russian base on the Mediterranean. Egypt hasdenied having the talks. Still, the countries will have their first ever joint militaryexercises this month.

These moves reflect Russia’s recent military expansions in Syria, where it will have a permanent base in the area after upgrading its current base in Tartus. The facility is a critical point on the Mediterranean for logisticalreasons.According to Russian Senator Igor Morozov, “Russia is not only increasing its military potential in Syria, but in the entire Middle East.”

Part of Russia’s interest in Ukraine throughout 2014 included protecting the headquarters of theBlack Sea Fleet, located in the Crimean Peninsula. Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014, ensuring the protection of this naval base. Russian preferences concerning new military bases may hint at  future Russian policies. As far as recent refusals to Russian requests for military bases, Pankov has stated that they “are dealing with this issue."