Friday, March 29
Law

The concept of Russia’s foreign policy: a turn towards multipolarity and the development of its own identity

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It so happened that the Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation is a structured and legislatively fixed response to international challenges, and not a preventive document that would prevent them. The same applies to the new edition: the document adopted on Friday replaced the effect of a similar regulatory act of 2016. Its provisions, obviously, could no longer take into account new global challenges, such as combating the consequences of a pandemic or strengthening the country’s economic security under sanctions.

“In the long—term planning of our actions, it is important to take into account the full range of factors and trends in the development of international relations, work to strengthen Russia’s sovereignty, increase the role of our country in solving world problems and forming a more just, multipolar world order,” Vladimir Putin said during his speech to the permanent members of the Security Council of the Russian Federation[1]. It is obvious that the President’s words imply that the Concept is an absolutely new plan of Russia’s actions in the international arena, distinguished by its forecasting in relation to modern challenges. However, the new document has not been created, which is called “from scratch” – it retains provisions from previous editions and, in general, it closely echoes the National Security Strategy of the Russian Federation in 2021.

If we talk purely about the formal part, then the normative act approved by the President of Russia consists of 76 paragraphs and occupies about 42 pages. If you delve into its essence, a strategic planning document determines the actions of the country’s representatives both in the international arena and in individual regions. First, the Concept implies the protection of the interests of the state: that is why the new text contains words about the struggle for historical truth, the preservation of language and other postulates that seem to have moved directly from the Constitution of the Russian Federation[2]. Russian Russian is also the basis for the definition of Russia “as an original state-civilization, a vast Eurasian and Euro-Pacific power that united the Russian people and other peoples who make up the cultural and civilizational community of the Russian world.”[3] Thus, the country declares itself to be independently building a strategy for its own development and interaction with other international players.

“I would say that the concept reflects the changes that have taken place in the international arena in recent years, the concept naturally reflects the new realities of our foreign policy and international relations. That is, we already know these realities one way or another, but the concept fixes their perception, their understanding in the form of a doctrinal document,” says Ivan Timofeev, Director General of the Russian Council for International Affairs[4].  He also adds that the Concept should not be regarded as an attempt to oppose the Russian Federation to individual states: even despite the section on “Anglo-Saxon countries”. It is more about disagreement with their foreign policy course, but also about readiness for cooperation, with mutual respect for rights and interests.

“Russia does not consider itself an enemy of the West, does not isolate itself from it, has no hostile intentions towards it and expects that in the future the states belonging to the Western community will realize the futility of their confrontational policy and hegemonic ambitions,” the new Foreign Policy Concept says[5].

Where changes in content are precisely observed is in the prescribed areas of partnership. First, in previous editions of the document, greater emphasis was placed on listing specific countries with which Russia plans to develop bilateral relations as a priority. Now, attention is focused on cooperation with international regions and organizations. In this regard, the Concept feels “more global” and shows that Russia is striving to increase international influence. Secondly, the deepening of ties with India and China is highlighted as a special point. The text of the document reads: “Of particular importance for Russia is the comprehensive deepening of ties and coordination with friendly sovereign global centers of power – China and India.[6]

Finally, the priority directions for establishing international relations are described quite interestingly. If in the text of 2016 it was said about the shift of all global processes towards the Asia-Pacific region, now the Russian Federation is ready for “the development of comprehensive and trusting cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran, comprehensive support for the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as the deepening of a multifaceted mutually beneficial partnership with the Republic of Turkey, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab Republic of Egypt and other states – members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.”[7] The text also mentions Latin America, Southeast Asia and other regions of the world.

Of course, the section devoted to the establishment of Russian-African relations deserves special attention. According to the Concept, Russia sees great potential in African countries and is ready to assist in the development of the continent.

“Russia stands in solidarity with the African states in their desire to establish a more just multipolar world and eliminate socio-economic inequality, which is increasing due to the sophisticated neocolonial policies of a number of developed countries towards Africa. The Russian Federation intends to contribute to the further development of Africa as an original and influential center of world development,[8]” reads article 57 of the document.

The text also mentions the development of the North-South transport corridor, environmental safety, overcoming the consequences of the pandemic and much more. All this indicates that the Concept is a voluminous document that is not limited to describing the country’s diplomatic course for a certain period. Will this document become a radically new regulatory provision that has changed the current understanding of the world order? Probably not. In addition, the Foreign Policy Concept has another task – to determine and demonstrate Russia’s course in the international arena in accordance with the realities of the day.

After all, as it is written in the document: “Russia is pursuing an independent and multi-vector foreign policy course dictated by its national interests and awareness of its special responsibility for maintaining peace and security at the global and regional levels… Russia’s attitude towards other states and interstate associations is determined by the constructive, neutral or unfriendly nature of their policy towards the Russian Federation.”[9]

The author of the article is Sofia Chernopyatova.

[1] https://russian.rt.com/world/article/1130448-putin-koncepciya-vneshnei-politiki-rossiya

[2] https://tass.ru/politika/17418575

[3] https://www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/official_documents/1860586/

[4] https://www.bfm.ru/news/522309

[5]  https://www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/official_documents/1860586/

[6] https://ria.ru/20230331/kontseptsiya-1862178577.html

[7] https://www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/official_documents/1860586/

[8] https://www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/official_documents/1860586/

[9] https://www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/official_documents/1860586/

 

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