UNDERSTANDING RUSSIA'S FOREIGN POLICY GOALS

At least since Soviet times, Russian leaders have been keen on outlining long term plans and doctrines in which the aims and means of their policy are explained to the people and the surrounding world. The most relevant Concept to Russian foreign policy presents the following priorities and objectives:

• Safeguarding the security of the country, maintaining its sovereignty and territorial integrity, its strong and authoritative positions as one of the influential centres of the world;
• Creating good external conditions for Russia's modernization for raising the population's living standards, consolidating society, strengthening the foundations of the constitutional system, rule of law state and democratic institutions, realizing human rights and freedoms, and thus securing the competetiveness of the country in a globalizing world;
• Influencing global processes in order to establish a just and democratic world order based on collective principles and the supremacy of international law, in particular the principles of the UN Charter;
• Creation of good-neighbourly relations with adjacent states and assistance in eliminating existing and preventing the emergence of new hotbeds of tensions and conflicts in the adjoining regions of the Russian Federation and other parts of the world;
• Seeking consensus and coinciding positions with other states and international organisations in the process of solving tasks defined by Russia's national interests;
• Comprehensive defence of the rights and interests of Russian citizens and compatriots living abroad;
• Contributing to an objective perception of Russia in the world as a democratic state with a socially oriented market economy and an independent foreign policy;
• Promoting and popularizing the Russian language and the cultures of the peoples of Russia abroad.

The Concept describes Russian foreign policy as balanced and 'multi-vector' as a result of Russia being a vast Eurasian country. It claims Russia bears a responsibility for upholding security both on a global and regional level and is ready for common action. Priority is given to the adjoining region of post-Soviet states (excluding the Baltics). Further NATO enlargement to this region is seen as a serious threat to Russian security. Thus Russia claims a greater say in world politics and wants its own zone of influence.

The Concept is primarily concerned with Russia's state interests and its position in the world. The call for a 'democratic' world order, or 'multipolarity' is evidently directed against the dominating position of the United States. After the war with Georgia in August 2008, Medvedev formulated five short leading principles, at one and same time proclaiming the primacy of international law, advocating a multipolar world, interest in friendly relations with all states, priority for protecting Russians everywhere and talking of regions of 'privileged interests'.

Regardless of what may be said to the contrary, Russia through its engagement in international organizations and groupings since the 1990s has gained prestige and recognition both globally and regionally as well as maintained its position as a great power, thus in practice contributing to a multipolar world system. Russia has an influence especially in the UN Security Council on the strength of its veto power.