Vastly Important: Russia's New Foreign Policy Concept

Russia's updated Foreign Policy Concept spells out its position in all areas, and its announcement was highly anticipated and awaited. The instruction for it to be updated from its 2016 version was given soon after the December 2021 Security Proposals were announced. Its major components were unveiled at today's Security Council session by Sergei Lavrov, with President Putin providing introductory and closing remarks. The overall policy paper is linked within, and I'll provide a translation of it probably broken into two parts given its length. As I note in my title, this is one of Russia's most important policy documents ranking with its Nuclear Doctrine. Most important is it names as its primary adversary the United States and notes that it's also the main threat to the world—a formal announcement long awaited. As you'll see, Lavrov's outline is brief but dense with the details filled out in the attached document. The translation looks very clean:

Vladimir Putin: Dear colleagues, good afternoon!

Today, the first item on our agenda will be the Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation.

Drastic changes in international life have required us to seriously adjust key strategic planning documents. Among them is the Concept of Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation, which outlines the principles, tasks, and priorities of diplomatic activity.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Presidential Administration, the Security Council staff, the Government, and many ministries and departments, has carried out extensive and painstaking work to update it and bring it in line with modern geopolitical realities.

And today I signed a decree approving the updated Concept of Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation.

I would like to ask Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov to report on its most important provisions.

Please, Sergey Viktorovich, you have the floor.

Sergey Lavrov: Thank you.

Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, Dear colleagues!

As you said, Mr President, this is a strategic planning document that was developed by our Ministry together with other federal executive authorities. It develops the foreign policy provisions of the National Security Strategy, which was approved by you in 2021.

The concept contains a high degree of continuity with the previous version of 2016 in terms of the fundamental principles of our foreign policy, first of all, its independence and focus on creating favorable external conditions for the progressive development of Russia, ensuring its security and improving the well-being of our citizens.

The logic of the document, as you mentioned, Mr Putin, reflects the changing geopolitical realities, in fact, the revolutionary developments on the external contour, which were visibly accelerated with the start of the special military operation.

In particular, it notes the unprecedented level of international tension over the past decade. The existential nature of threats to the security and development of our country caused by the actions of unfriendly States is recognized. The main initiator and conductor of the anti-Russian line is directly called the United States of America, and in general, the policy of the West aimed at weakening Russia in every possible way is described as a new type of hybrid war.

The article describes the main long-term trends in international development, including the crisis of economic globalization, which was conducted until recently according to American rules.

One of the factors is that the global economy is undergoing a major structural adjustment and is moving to a new technological basis. The redistribution of development potential in favor of new growth centers leads to the formation of a multipolar world order, and this is a key trend in international relations at the present stage.

We have outlined in the Concept our vision of the principles of a more balanced and just world order. Among them: polycentricity, sovereign equality of states, ensuring their right to choose development models, upholding the cultural and civilizational diversity of the world. Promoting the establishment of a multipolar world order is defined as a framework task for all areas of foreign policy.

Emphasis is placed on the need to ensure the rule of law in international relations. It is proclaimed that the progressive development of international law should take into account the realities of today's world. In the face of acute external threats, our readiness to observe the principle of indivisibility of security is confirmed, but only in relation to those States and their associations that show reciprocity in this matter.

The approach to work in the UN focuses on improving the effectiveness of this organization, on reconfirming the fundamental goals and principles of its Charter, which the West is trying to undermine in its practical actions.

Important innovations are set out in terms of the conditions for the use of force in self-defense within the framework of unconditional compliance with the relevant requirements of Article 51 of the UN Charter.

The Concept provides for the possibility of taking symmetrical and asymmetric measures in response to unfriendly actions against Russia.

The article introduces a thesis on the use of the Armed Forces to repel or prevent an armed attack on Russia and its allies. Thus, we unequivocally declare that we will defend the right of the Russian people to exist and develop freely.

The article reveals provisions that affect the protection of Russian traditional spiritual and moral values, building cooperation based on a single spiritual and moral guideline common to all world religions.

Absolute rejection of neocolonial practices and anyone's hegemonism.

Among our undoubted priorities are ensuring the rights of our citizens and organizations abroad, supporting our compatriots, countering Russophobia, strengthening the position of the Russian language in the world, fighting for historical truth, protecting our culture, depoliticizing sports, and establishing new forms of sports cooperation.

The regional section of the Concept focuses on Russia's strategic interests in the context of deepening Eurasian integration based on the Union State of Russia and Belarus, the Eurasian Economic Union, the CSTO, the CIS, the formation of a large Eurasian partnership, and the further strengthening of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS.

As the most important resource, we are committed to unlocking the potential of strategic partnership with our great neighbors – the People's Republic of China, the Republic of India, the countries of the Islamic world, as well as with the States of ASEAN, the African continent, Latin America and the Caribbean.

We reaffirm our commitment to a peaceful solution to all the problems that arise in the Arctic region.

The provisions of the Concept assume that anti-Russian steps of unfriendly states will be consistently and, if necessary, severely suppressed.

The idea is clearly established that we are not isolated from the Anglo-Saxon countries and continental Europe, and do not have any initially hostile intentions towards them. However, they should be aware that pragmatic cooperation with Russia is possible only if they realize the futility of a confrontational policy and if they reject this policy in practical actions. It will be up to us to decide whether the West is willing to follow these recommendations.

In general, Mr Putin, there is still a lot of work ahead to implement the foreign policy course in a fundamentally new environment. We will use all the efforts of Russian diplomacy in the closest interagency coordination and will regularly report on the progress of this work on the basis of the Decree you signed and on possible additional steps in certain areas.

Thanks.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

The presented Concept, I think, serves as a sound doctrinal basis for our further work on international affairs.

In practical terms, I ask all colleagues involved in the implementation of the common foreign policy course to pay special attention to expanding ties with constructive partners and creating conditions for unfriendly states to abandon their hostile policies towards our country.

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.

Of course, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should play a coordinating role in the implementation of the Concept, while relying on the support of other departments.

In conclusion, I would like to thank everyone who was directly involved in the development of the Concept. The result is a balanced document that will form the basis for our practical actions in the medium and longer term.

Thank you very much.