Analysis and data collection: Julia Lasiota graphic design: Natalia Matiaszczyk
In 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin participated in an intensive series of diplomatic meetings, taking part in over 170 events — both in-person meetings and telephone conversations — with foreign leaders and representatives.
Putin’s activity was characterized by continued isolation from democratic nations due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, deepening dependence on China, and intensification of contacts with Global South countries. Putin conducted a significant portion of his diplomacy on Russian territory, hosting foreign visitors or conducting remote conversations.
The direction of Putin’s diplomacy may indicate a deliberate defensive strategy aimed at strengthening relations with countries outside the West. In 2024, Putin made no visits to European Union or NATO countries, and contacts with Western representatives were limited to multilateral formats or intermediaries. For this reason, increased contacts with African and Asian leaders indicate an attempt to maintain Russia’s image as a global player despite growing international pressure.
Asia, Africa, and post-Soviet states formed the core of Russian foreign policy. Regardless of whether the discussions concerned energy, military, nuclear, or economic cooperation, the Russian president’s actions show that the Kremlin is trying to build an alternative network of international connections in opposition to the Western world.
Vladimir Putin’s Visits in 2025 – First Half
In the first half of 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin continued diplomatic activity similar to the previous year’s trends, participating in over 100 international events (as of July 10). As in 2024, most meetings took place on Russian territory, primarily in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Putin’s diplomacy remains in the shadow of the war in Ukraine, tensions around nuclear security, sanctions, and tensions with Western countries. In the face of this isolation, the Russian president’s greatest activity was noted in similar regions — Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Belarus, and the countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia. Despite the visible diplomatic continuation compared to the previous year, the high number of contacts with North American representatives may seem somewhat surprising, resulting from Donald Trump’s return to the White House. The presidents of Russia and the United States maintained telephone contacts. Putin also met with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow.
Russia continued its strategic deepening of ties with countries outside the Western sphere, but it’s worth mentioning several exceptions. In addition to contacts with US politicians, Putin conducted a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron and met with Slovak President Robert Fico in Moscow on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day. However, the West remained beyond the direct reach of the Russian president’s actions, as Putin did not visit any European Union country or NATO member.
The directions of these meetings indicate that the Kremlin continues to strive to maintain the status of a global player, conducting dialogue with selected economic, military, and political partners — away from Western institutions and formats, though some breakthrough in the progressing isolation is visible.
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