Russia adopts new anti-Western foreign policy guidelineRussia adopts new anti-Western foreign policy guideline

Moscow’s new diplomatic doctrine points to the U.S. as the source of the greatest risks to Russian security and world peace and promises to seek an end to Western domination. The document also emphasizes partnership with China and India.

(DW) Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Friday (March 31) released new foreign policy guidelines aimed at curbing Western “domination,” which identify China and India as key partners for the future.

The new diplomatic doctrine, a 42-page document posted on the Kremlin website, describes the West as a kind of existential threat and says Russia intends to “create the conditions for any state to reject neocolonialist and hegemonic goals.”

Russia is increasingly isolated on the international stage and has sought to strengthen political and economic ties with countries in Africa and Asia, such as China and India, which have adopted a more neutral stance toward the Russian offensive in Ukraine.

The new foreign policy strategy – a kind of manual for Russian diplomats – points to the United States as the biggest threat facing the country. The document describes the US as “the main instigator, organizer and executor of the West’s aggressive anti-Russian policy.”

Russian foreign policy, according to the document, should reflect that the US is “the source of the main risks to Russia’s security, international peace and the balanced, just and sustainable development of humanity.”

“The Russian Federation intends to give priority to eliminating the vestiges of the dominance of the United States and other hostile countries in world politics,” the text says.

The term “hostile countries” was used to refer to those countries, particularly European and US ones, that have condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and imposed sanctions.
Strategic Partners in Asia

While rejecting the West, the doctrine highlights China and India as Russia’s strategic partners and argues that Moscow will position itself toward other countries.

Putin recently spoke about ties with the two countries during a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Moscow this month. In addition, Russia has increased energy supplies to China and India after being almost completely cut off from its traditional European markets.

The document emphasizes the importance of “deepening ties and coordination with sovereign and friendly global centers of power and development located on the Eurasian continent.”

The text further describes Russia as a “civilization-state” charged with defending what it calls the “Russian world” and “traditional spiritual and moral values” against “pseudo-humanist and other neoliberal ideological attitudes.”
“Existential threats”

Presenting the new strategy, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reinforced at a televised meeting of Russia’s Security Council that the country faces “existential threats” to its security and development from “hostile states.”

According to Lavrov, the war in Ukraine, which Moscow calls a “special military operation,” has initiated “revolutionary changes” in world affairs that now need to be reflected in Russia’s main foreign policy document.

Putin, for his part, also said that updates to Russia’s strategy for engagement on the global stage are necessary due to “radical changes” in the world.

ek (AFP, DPA, Reuters) *** Translated by the DEFCONPress FYI team ***

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