Speak about the main concepts of the Russia’s foreign policy

December 26th, 2011

The foreign policy concept of the Russian Federation is the system of views on the content and main fields in the foreign policy activities of Russia. The uppermost priority of the foreign policy course of Russia is to protect the interests of the individual and the society.
The modern world is going through fundamental and dynamic changes that profoundly affect the interests of the Russian Federation and its citizens. Thus Russia is one of the key players in international relations. Being one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, Russia has a special responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. So therefore Russia plays an important role in settlement of international disputes and resolving conflicts (for instance through the Middle-East Quartet and the Six-Parties talks). Being the holder of the largest WMD stockpile in the world, Russia is actively engaged in resolving issues of nuclear proliferation.

The modern foreign policy concept of the Russian Federation is a bright example of how Putin and his successor Medvedev are trying to distance themselves from the policy and ideology of Boris Yeltsin. Russia today is the most exuberant proponent of what is generally understood under “a multipolar system of international relations”. Putin and Medvedev do strongly believe that the UN is the only international body which is to coordinate relations between states. Though it might be necessary to reform the organization in some respects.

Russian Federation policy seeks to establish a good-neighboring belt along the perimeter of Russia’s borders while preventing new sources of tension and conflicts from developing in regions adjacent to the Russian territory. Russia borders 14 countries half of which are the former Soviet Republics, so Russia is engaged in integration within the CIS (for example, the Customs Union between Russia, Byelorussia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine).

Russian Foreign Policy seeks to establish “good or favorable external conditions for steady development of Russia and its economic growth”.

It is important to stress NATO-Russian relations in this respect as well. The collapse of the Soviet Union resulted for Russia in much more closer relationship with NATO – its former enemy. The NATO-Russia Council was established in 2002 to allow the 26 Allies and the Russian Federation work together as equal partners, to define and pursue opportunities for joint action. While the possibility of Russia joining NATO in the future has been discussed, Russia has not formally joined NATO as an Ally, nor has Russia expressed any desire to join NATO.

Russia’s interests are also concerned with the tendencies of modern international relations as well, such as for instance the globalization of the world economy, intensification of the role of international mechanisms and institutions, development of regional and sub-regional integration and new challenges the modern society has to face. That is why Russia is membering in a large number of international organizations, including the European council, OSCE and APEC.

One more crucial direction in the Russian foreign policy is the development of friendly relations with the leading Asian states, primarily with China and India, which today can be defined as strategic partners of Russia. Russian foreign policy is also aimed at building up the positive dynamism of relations with states of the South-East Asia.

Generally speaking, the Foreign policy concept of the Russian federation identifies “an impact on the world processes to achieve a stable, just and democratic world order” as one of the highest political priorities.

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