Russia new foreign policy document calls West 'existential' threat

W460

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday that a new foreign policy strategy adopted by President Vladimir Putin identifies the West as posing an "existential" threat to Moscow.

The announcement comes as Russia's relationship with Western countries has plunged over Russia's decision to deploy troops to Ukraine last year.

"The existential nature of threats to the security and development of our country, driven by the actions of unfriendly states is recognized" in the policy, Lavrov said during a televised meeting of Russia's security council.

"The United States of America is directly named as the main instigator and driver of anti-Russian sentiment," he added.

"The West's policy of trying to weaken Russia in every possible way is characterized as a hybrid war of a new type," the foreign minister added.

Putin said updates to Russia's strategy for engagement on the global stage were necessary due to "radical changes" in the world, announcing he had formally adopted the new 42-page document.

Comments 2
Thumb i.report 31 March 2023, 20:21

The West's actions pose a threat to Russia's security and development. The adoption of a new foreign policy strategy that identifies the West as an "existential" threat is therefore a logical response.

Moreover, the characterization of the West's policy as a "hybrid war of a new type" acknowledges the non-military tactics that the West has been using against Russia, such as economic sanctions and cyber attacks. This reflects a growing awareness in Russia that traditional military tactics are not the only form of threat in modern geopolitics.

Thumb commirade.vlad 01 April 2023, 01:22

Anyone who is not me Vlady Putin poses a threat to Russia's security and development. Fact. Anyone who is not Alexander Lukashenko poses a threat to Belarus's security and development. Fact. Anyone who is not Bashar Assad poses a threat to Syria's security and development. Fact.