Foreign Policy of Russia History Traced to establishment

Foreign Policy of Russia

History • Traced to establishment Ruis state in 862 • Russia has been a major player in European politics • Tsardom of Russia in 1547 • 1648 Westphalian European Statehood/sovereignty acceptance • Emergence of Russian empire in 1721 during the era of Tsar Peter the Great • 18 th and 19 th Century noted for the autocratic rule of the Tsars

Russian Foreign Policy • Internationalist (Soviet Era) • Conciliatory (immediate post soviet union) • Pragmatist

Soviet Foreign Policy • The great October revolution of 1917 • Creation of a new type of state, the Soviet socialist state • Soviet foreign policy established by V. I. Lenin, the first legislative act of the Soviet state – Lenin Decree of Peace, dated October 26, 1917 proclaimed the principles of internationalism and the peaceful – coexistence of states with different social systems to be the basis of the foreign policy of the Soviet union. • USSR FP characterised by communist expansionism, arm race, balance of terror, and pursuit of state interest

Communism and the Soviet Union • Post WW 2: Emergence of US and USSR as superpowers • Period known as the cold war • Ideological war of supremacy • Bi-polar world order noted for policies to prevent or contain the superpowers influences and expansion

Foreign Policy of Russia • Dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 • Pro western Romantisism (win-win) • Anti Western Pragmatism (Zero sum game)

Russian Foreign Policy Objectives • Protect the interest of Russia and its citizens. • Ensure reliable security of the country, to preserve and strengthen its sovereignty and territorial integrity. • To influence general world processes, with the aim of forming a stable, just and democratic world order. • To create favourable external conditions for steady development of Russia and for improving its economy. • To form a good neighbour belt along the perimeter of Russia’s borders. • To seek concord and coinciding interest with foreign countries. • To uphold in every possible way the right and interest of the Russia citizens. • To promote positive perception of Russian federation in the world

Key Foreign Policy Influences • 2016 Foreign Policy Concept • Continued competition with the US • President Putin Personal Leadership Style

Assertive Foreign Policy • 2008 war with Georgia • 2014 seizure of Georgia • 2015 deployment of forces to Syria • 2016 alleged interference in the US election • Closer ties with China (Anti US stance)