President Vladimir Putin declared Friday that Russia will expand military-technical cooperation with allied nations, offering joint arms development, personnel training, and defense production amid Western sanctions and its ongoing war in Ukraine.

Putin Promotes Strategic Military Ties at SPIEF

Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin stated Russia will build new defense partnerships focused on “friendly countries,” offering turnkey military production facilities, joint development programs, and training.

“This is not only about supplying or modernizing weapons and equipment,” Putin said, “but about establishing production and creating joint military infrastructure.”

The move reflects Russia’s strategy to sidestep Western isolation by deepening ties with states in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Domestic Military Modernization Also Planned

Putin also emphasized plans to enhance Russia’s own defense readiness by outfitting military bases with new infrastructure and arming its forces with “the latest technology and weapons.”

The push aligns with Russia’s ongoing campaign in Ukraine and a broader strategy of military resilience under sanctions.

Western Absence Felt at Economic Forum

Despite efforts to attract investment, this year’s SPIEF drew few Western attendees. No major American firms participated, underscoring the Kremlin’s pivot toward alternative partnerships and decoupling from U.S.-led defense systems and markets.

Moscow hopes its offers of co-production and technology transfers will appeal to sanctioned or non-aligned nations seeking strategic autonomy.