Russia Regaining Cold War Confidence

Bolstered by several years of high energy prices that have allowed significant investment in a decaying military establishment, Russia now appears poised to reassert itself with force on the international stage.

On August 31, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev outlined five principles that will now guide Russian foreign policy.

Principle One: International Law

First, Medvedev said, “Russia recognizes the primacy of the basic principles of international law, which define relations between civilized nations. It is in the framework of these principles, of this concept of international law, that we will develop our relations with other states.”

One only has to ask, if Russia respects international law, how can it justify the invasion of another nation exercising control over its sovereign territory?

Principle Two: Multi-Polarity

Second, “The world should be multi-polar. Unipolarity is unacceptable, domination is impermissible. We cannot accept a world order in which all decisions are taken by one country, even such a serious and authoritative country as the United States of America. This kind of world is unstable and fraught with conflict.”

Russia went into a state of decline, militarily and economically, after the collapse of the Soviet Union. A renewed sense of nationalism, led by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and bolstered by high energy prices and an improved quality of life for Russians, has improved Russia’s global situation.

Russia is feeling sufficiently emboldened to reassert itself internationally and to undertake efforts that would diminish the primacy of the United States.

Principle Three: Russia at Peace

Third, Medvedev said, “Russia does not want confrontation with any country; Russia has no intention of isolating itself. We will develop, as far as possible, friendly relations both with Europe and with the United States of America, as well as with other countries of the world.”

Russian actions in Georgia essentially make this principle meaningless as stated. A more accurate approach would have been for Medvedev to say that Russian wants peace with other countries, as long as they concede to Russia’s wishes.

Principle Four: Looking Out for Russians

Fourth, “Our unquestionable priority is to protect the life and dignity of our citizens, wherever they are. We will also proceed from this in pursuing our foreign policy. We will also protect the interest of our business community abroad. And it should be clear to everyone that if someone makes aggressive forays, he will get a response.”

This principle essentially gives Russia a basis for intervening whenever and wherever it chooses under the guise of protecting Russian citizens. Those citizens could be in Ukraine, the Baltics, or any of the former Soviet republics, all now sovereign states.

Principle Five: Spheres of Influence

Finally, according to Medvedev, “Russia, just like other countries in the world, has regions where it has its privileged interests. In these regions, there are countries with which we have traditionally had friendly cordial relations, historically special relations. We will work very attentively in these regions and develop these friendly relations with these states, with our close neighbors.”

This last principle is an attempt by Russia to regain control of its former Soviet sphere of influence. Russia feels threatened by NATO enlargement and is making it clear that it intends to be active on its periphery to maintain a buffer against the west.

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