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Russia abandons confrontational approach in advancement of its national interests and urges the west to follow suit

New foreign policy: more pragmatism and no more ideology

The so called Diplomatic Bible is quite voluminous. It includes a lot of theses from the previous concept Vladimir Putin signed on June 28, 2000. As before, Russia perceives the UN as the principal international arbiter since this organization has proved its unique legitimacy more than once. It does not mean, however, that the UN cannot be reorganized. The new concept traditionally appeals to the Western community to abandon double standards and start respecting opinions of other countries in dealing with international problems.

Analysis of the relations between Russia and the United States in the document includes the suggestion to shift the Russian-American to the "state of strategic partnership", "step over the barriers of strategic principles of the past", and "concentrate on actually existing threats."

Presenting the concept, Medvedev explained exactly what he thought was disturbing in international relations. Firstly, there is a tendency to view sheer strength of arms as a solution to global problems. Installation of a new ABM defense framework in East Europe will compromise European security. "The Cold War being over, the world is still unable to regain equilibrium," Medvedev said. Anyway, Russia is ready for promotion and advancement of its interests abroad without confrontations and within the framework of the international law.

Also importantly, there will be no place for ideology in the Russian foreign policy now. Relations with foreign countries should be entirely pragmatic.

Political scientists call the new foreign political concept a large-scale document - but only geographically. "The document is not nearly as precise as it should be. It does not state exactly what our diplomats should concentrate on and how," Konstantin Simonov of the Political Conjuncture Center said. All the same, the document does make it plain that Russian diplomacy has retained continuity. "Putin the president was clear on the subject: economic matters before political... and Medvedev's concept continues along similar lines", Simonov said.

The US foreign political concept meanwhile is thoroughly cynical. It states for example that the United States itself decides that regimes are democratic and retains the right to intervene whenever human rights are thought to be abused in this or that country. Russia is not as strong, economically or politically, and therefore cannot afford to defy the international law.

Source: RBC Daily, June 16, 2008, p. 1


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