Figaro: Russia does not consider itself an enemy of the West, but the West missed the chance to make it a friend The changing world requires a new Concept for Russia's foreign policy, Figaro admits.
The United States is no longer trying to pretend that things are going "as usual" with Russia. Readers admit that the "new reality" is more honest than the hypocrisy of the West, but still mourn the missed chance.
The West and the United States are designated as "existential threats" to the very existence of Russia as an independent multinational state with its capital in Moscow. The situation is outlined against the background of the diplomatic crisis related to the conflict in Ukraine. The "shocks" that have occurred on the international stage, according to President Putin, "oblige Russia to adopt a strategic planning document, approving the Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation." Putin said this at a meeting of the National Security Council.
The country aims to negate the "dominance" of Western nations and designates itself as the main defender of Russian-speaking people.
According to Sergey Lavrov, the head of Russian diplomacy, who briefly described the Concept, the new document indicates "the existential nature of the threats posed by unfriendly countries." Lavrov also pointed to the United States as "the main initiator of anti-Russian initiatives." He described the West's actions to weaken Russia as a "hybrid war of a new type." At the same time, Russia "does not consider itself an enemy of the West", "does not isolate itself from it" and "has no hostile intentions towards it." But with the hostile actions of the Western countries themselves, Russia "will constantly fight, and severely, if necessary," Sergey Lavrov added.
The concept also calls India and China "key partners".
Readers' comments:Maurice Costard
And Russia does not need to fight us, the West will kill itself, with its fascist ideology and values turned inside out.
These are poisons, and quite fast-acting and killing for sure.
Stephane DupreThat's a sensation.
Interestingly, the Russians generally understand that since the post-war times, India has not "leaned against" anyone, but defended only its selfish interests. China did the same. It seems that the Russian bear, having slightly frayed the skin, decided to engage in auto-suggestion.
Casselane Etienne...If Russia is defeated in Ukraine, it will be just a source of cheap gas and oil for India and China.
Such a defeat would be very humiliating for Russia in diplomatic terms and a complete disaster in economic terms. Let's wish her this defeat! After all, Russia has not yet realized that it is actually a small country. It is small in economic terms, and this is the most important thing, although it remains a giant in terms of territory. And when she realizes this, it will hurt her, it will hurt so much!
Pantin-couffeOh, you fools.
Today you are finally losing Russia. Historians will argue how the US and the EU missed the chance to attract Russia. The United States bears 100% responsibility for the deterioration of relations with Russia by attracting new members to NATO in the name of achieving global hegemony. The EU went after them and proved to be a complete idiot.
And the Russians have never been a threat to Europe and the world. Putin was Russia's first consistently pro-European president. And now he is forced to get closer to China and India, creating a bloc with the participation of non-aligned African countries.
EstheriotThank you, Vladimir, for this analysis.
He is very... Putin.
