INTRODUCTION
In February 2013, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a new Foreign Policy Concept.1 Preparation of the document was set in motion by Vladimir Putin’s order in May 2012, while still prime minister, that the ministry submit a draft by December. Some media sources suggest that a draft was submitted in early November, but that Putin delayed it to make it more robust.2 Perhaps, but the concept is scarcely more robust than either the 2008 iteration or the May 2012 presidential order.3 It may also be that the draft was simply circulated to different bodies for comment and improvement, so undergoing a short technical delay before being resubmitted to the Kremlin for final approval in early February. In any event Putin ratified the document on 12 February before presenting it to the Russian Security Council prior to publication.
The new Foreign Policy Concept has received little substantial attention in the West, where it has been dismissed as either simply a bureaucratic formulation, published and filed unread by the Russian leadership, or as just a reiteration of previous documents. The concept – like many of its Western equivalents – contains generic ‘strategic’ and empty bureaucratic language. Yet it also offers important insight into how Russia views an international environment that has changed considerably since 2008, where it fits in it and how it will seek to act. As Putin noted when he presented it, the concept takes into account the global financial and economic crisis and the instability in the Middle East and North Africa since 2011.4
As a result, understanding the new Foreign Policy Concept may help to overcome misunderstanding of Russian activity. Some observers suggest that Russian foreign policy is characterized by increasing isolationist tendencies. A careful reading of the document suggests the contrary and that Russia will be more active in international affairs.
1 ‘Konseptsiya vneshnei politiki Rossiiskoi Federatsii’ [Foreign Policy Concept of
INTRODUCTIONIn February 2013, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a new Foreign Policy Concept.1 Preparation of the document was set in motion by Vladimir Putin’s order in May 2012, while still prime minister, that the ministry submit a draft by December. Some media sources suggest that a draft was submitted in early November, but that Putin delayed it to make it more robust.2 Perhaps, but the concept is scarcely more robust than either the 2008 iteration or the May 2012 presidential order.3 It may also be that the draft was simply circulated to different bodies for comment and improvement, so undergoing a short technical delay before being resubmitted to the Kremlin for final approval in early February. In any event Putin ratified the document on 12 February before presenting it to the Russian Security Council prior to publication.The new Foreign Policy Concept has received little substantial attention in the West, where it has been dismissed as either simply a bureaucratic formulation, published and filed unread by the Russian leadership, or as just a reiteration of previous documents. The concept – like many of its Western equivalents – contains generic ‘strategic’ and empty bureaucratic language. Yet it also offers important insight into how Russia views an international environment that has changed considerably since 2008, where it fits in it and how it will seek to act. As Putin noted when he presented it, the concept takes into account the global financial and economic crisis and the instability in the Middle East and North Africa since 2011.4As a result, understanding the new Foreign Policy Concept may help to overcome misunderstanding of Russian activity. Some observers suggest that Russian foreign policy is characterized by increasing isolationist tendencies. A careful reading of the document suggests the contrary and that Russia will be more active in international affairs.1 ‘Konseptsiya vneshnei politiki Rossiiskoi Federatsii’ [Foreign Policy Concept of
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