In connection with the preparation of the updated foreign policy concept of Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova explained the difference in approaches to developing relations with hostile and other countries.
“Russia’s principled approach to hostile actions committed against it is formulated in paragraph 99 of the National Security Strategy of the Russian Federation, approved by presidential decree dated July 2, 2021,” he said in a commentary published today, December 23. – In the event that foreign states commit such actions, including those related to the use of restrictive measures of a political or economic nature or the use of modern information and communication technologies, Russia considers it lawful to take symmetrical and asymmetrical measures necessary to suppress such actions hostile actions, as well as to prevent their recurrence in the future.
As the diplomat underlined, “the fundamental principles of foreign policy, which apply to all its functional and geographical areas, are set out in paragraph 96 of the aforementioned Strategy”.
“Among these are consistency, independence, multi-vector approach, openness, predictability, pragmatism and dependence on national interests. In particular, this means a willingness to develop equal and mutually beneficial relationships with all States and their associations which show mutual interest. We are guided by this approach in promoting cooperation with Russia’s constructive-minded partners,” Zakharova emphasized.
He added that “the Russian practice of strategic planning and foreign policy uses the widest range of information sources, since the task is to objectively assess the situation in the world and the prospects for its further development.”
“In particular, the approaches of influential foreign states and interstate associations, even hostile ones, fixed in their doctrinal documents are being studied. Among them is the new strategic concept of the North Atlantic Alliance, adopted in 2022,” – said the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
