Russia has been quite active on the international front of late, particularly in the Syrian question where it has played an important role in holding back Western military intervention With President Vladimir Putin continually increasing his powers at home and going on a charm offensive in the West, the stature of Russia has grown immensely and is seen as a counter to NATO and the softer policies of the European Union.
In his 2012 speech Vladimir Putin is talking about the new Russia which must face up to its challenges in a global context. In fact from the very beginning of the speech, Putin admits that Russia cannot remain isolated and is charged with changing the world for the better with its vast cultural resources as well as its economic potential. Interesting he points out that development has to be based on mutual trust which is something he claims to be in short supply, doubtless referring to the lack of trust in politicians et al.
“Russia is part of the greater world whether we are talking about the economy, the spread of information or the development of culture. We do not wish to and cannot isolate ourselves. We hope that our openness will lead to economic and cultural development in Russia while increasing levels of mutual trust, a resource that is in increasingly short supply today”.
After this paragraph Putin becomes belligerent by insisting that Russia will continue to conduct its own foreign policy as it has always done. This implies that nations who take on Russia with a hardnosed stance tend to lose and he is offering a sort of ‘take it or leave it’ situation here.
“Our foreign policy objectives are strategic in nature and are not based on opportunistic considerations. They reflect Russia's unique role on the world political map as well as its role in history and in the development of civilization”.
Again Putin is implying here that Russia will continue to steer its own course regardless of what happens in the world. This is a very bold attitude to take but he is undoubtedly playinga strong hand given the vastness of Russia’s economic potential and its substantial material potential. Putin offers an olive branch to those who wish to co-operate although he does sound the alarm bells when stating that Russia’s objectives are strategic and not opportunistic.
When commenting that Russia will continue to be constructive in its efforts to achieve harmony and dialogue amongst nations, Putin is also implying that this not necessarily mean that Russia will sit by the wayside. Rather he seems to be clamouring for Russia’s role on the world stage to be increased in accordance with its importance. He is also quite belligerent in calling for a new world order as can be seen in the following excerpt:
“We will strive to ensure a new world order, one that meets current geopolitical realities, and one that develops smoothly and without unnecessary upheaval”.
This seems to imply that the world has to change to survive and that it is changing according to the way in which Russia wants it to.
In the second part of the speech, Putin does not mince his words when attacking the increased American presence on European soil especially in the countries of the former Eastern bloc. Putin observes that such geo strategic moves have political repercussions and undermine confidence in finding an equitable solution of co-existing and developing together.
“Everyone understands what I am referring to - an expansion of NATO that includes the deployment of new military infrastructure with U.S.-drafted plans to establish a missile defense system in Europe. I would not touch on this issue if these plans were not conducted in close proximity to Russian borders, if they did not undermine our security and global stability in general”.Putin is very grave on this subject since he sees American expansion as a threat to the stability and security of the Russian nation. The missile defence system is a particularly sore point since it is seen as an issue which could cause conflagration. Again he is taking a dig at NATO and the Americans for their aggressive military policy which will certainly go down well at home.
The Russian President also laments the inability of bodies such as the United Nations to tackle terrorism which is a global phenomenon. He points out that whenever a large terroristic attack occurs, the reaction is one that is completely out of proportion as happened after the September 11 terrorist attacks. However he points out slyly that Russia also suffered from terrorism mentioning the Beslan siege which is not as present in the collective consciousness of the world but which is still a sore point in Russia. He insists that Russia’s concerns have to be heard but these have been ‘brushed aside’ by the Western nations in their strategy to combat terrorism.
“Respect for one's country is rooted, among other things, in its ability to protect the rights of its citizens abroad. We must never neglect the interests of the millions of Russian nationals who live and travel abroad on vacation or on business”
This is an important statement as Putin also takes up the mantle of those Russians who are doing business abroad in places that were part of the former USSR. This is nothing but a dig at countries like Estonia and Latvia who wish to shed themselves of Russian influence and are also in the European Union. Putin switches his tune by insisting that the right of minorities has to be respected but he is basically suggesting that Russian culture and dominance must continue to be exported throughout the world. He also insists that ‘maximum benefit’ must be gained from the forthcoming events which will showcase Russia on an international stage such as the football World Cup in 2018 and the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014.
Putin’s speech is a mesh mash of cultural imperialism, foreign policy arrogance and a self-righteous stance which seems to mean that Russia is always in the right. Although he denies that Russia is intent on empire building, the basic message of this speech is just that.
Works Cited:
Vladimir Putin on foreign policy: Russia and the changing world, 2012
Hale, Henry E.; Timothy J. Colton (8 September 2009)."Russians and the Putin-Medvedev "Tandemocracy": A Survey-Based Portrait of the 2007–08 Election Season".The National Council for Eurasian and East European Research (Seattle, WA: University of Washington). Retrieved 15 March 2012.
Vasilyeva, Natallya. "Putin claims to support term limits as he readies to take helm for 3rd time", China Post (12 April 2012).
"Elections in Russia: World Awaits for Putin to Reclaim the Kremlin". The World Reporter. March 2012. Retrieved 2012-03.
