So, the first, vital interest is the prosperity and preservation of Russia as a sovereign, free country, and the prevention of a universal catastrophe, a global nuclear war. Its implementation must be based on powerful deterrence forces and efforts to maintain strategic stability, which, in turn, implies maintaining constructive relations with potential adversaries among the great powers.
Second, the creation of a security belt and good-neighbourhood along the perimeter of our borders. This is also a vital interest, stemming from Russia’s unique geographic location and its history, throughout which all wars and invasions have begun with the emergence of a military threat on its borders. The Special Military Operation is no exception. Today, in these difficult times, this goal may seem unattainable. But this is precisely why a strategy is needed – one that enables the long-term achievement of even the most ambitious, seemingly unattainable goals, by consistently and gradually moving toward them through the resolution of intermediate objectives. This interest requires the development of separate programmes and plans, as well as management decisions that ensure policy coordination and accountability among these coordinators.
The third interest is ensuring freedom of navigation on the world’s oceans and the security of key transport routes. Its importance is acutely felt by all of us today.
These are three vital interests, the peculiarity of which is that their protection is ensured by all available means at the state’s disposal, and when these are exhausted, by military means as well.
The fourth interest is preventing the unilateral dominance of a foreign power in the world or in the Eurasian region, which is crucial for Russia. This is an important guideline for our practical policy and a clear signal to both our adversaries and partners.
The fifth interest is ensuring the sustainable development of the Russian economy in the context of fair global economic relations, free from artificial barriers and restrictions.
Finally, the sixth interest is expanding the circle of allies, friends, and partners, cooperation with whom would facilitate the realisation of the aforementioned and higher-priority interests. I believe we should not proudly declare that Russia has no allies, especially when such statements offend some of our friends. The task of the Foreign Ministry is precisely to expand the circle of allies, friends, and partners, and at the same time to strengthen international support for our foreign policy, which is focused on ensuring national interests.
I am convinced that a clear articulation of Russia’s national interests and their open declaration to the international community will provide us with guidelines enabling us to navigate the intricacies of Eurasian diplomacy, remain within our own agenda, not someone else’s, and develop a clear roadmap for shaping a Eurasian security architecture. Russia must be the centre of this architecture, its core – both geographically and politically. A clear understanding of concrete and clear national interests will also allow us to establish “red lines” that are understandable not only to ourselves but, equally importantly, to our partners and adversaries.
The Valdai Discussion Club was established in 2004. It is named after Lake Valdai, which is located close to Veliky Novgorod, where the Club’s first meeting took place.
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