Foreign relations of Russia

• 1. Post-Soviet Policy Shifts

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  The Declaration of the Twelve, signed by Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom on the 23rd of December 1991, marked a pivotal moment in global diplomacy. This document confirmed that Russia would inherit the international rights and obligations of the former Soviet Union, including its seat at the United Nations Security Council. The European Community expressed satisfaction with this transition, noting the decision made at the Alma Ata meeting on the 21st of December 1991 to establish the Commonwealth of Independent States. Foreign policy under the new Russian Federation initially embraced Atlanticism, seeking closer ties with the United States and Western Europe. Andrei Kozyrev served as Minister of Foreign Affairs during these early years, championing an ideology that prioritized integration with the West over traditional imperial ambitions. Critics argued this approach failed to defend Russian pre-eminence in the former Soviet republics. By 1996, Yevgeny Primakov was promoted to Minister of Foreign Affairs, signaling a shift toward a more nationalistic foreign policy stance. This change reflected growing dissatisfaction with the perceived loss of influence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

• 2. The Putin Doctrine And NATO

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  On the 10th of February 2007, Vladimir Putin delivered a speech at the Munich Conference on Security Policy that fundamentally altered the trajectory of Russian-Western relations. He criticized what he called U.S. monopolistic dominance in global affairs, stating that such policies left no one feeling safe because international law lacked the strength of a stone wall. Putin warned that this approach stimulated arms races and threatened global stability. His rhetoric drew comparisons from some commentators to Nazi Germany, though officials denied any intent to start a new Cold War. In response to NATO expansion plans, Russia suspended its participation in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) on the 12th of December 2007. The United States expressed deep regret over Moscow's decision, noting that unilateral actions damaged an otherwise successful arms control regime. Putin proposed countermeasures including sharing use of the Gabala radar station in Azerbaijan instead of building missile defense systems in Poland and the Czech Republic. These tensions escalated further when Russia resumed long-distance patrol flights by strategic bombers in August 2007 after suspending them since 1992. Military analyst Pavel Felgenhauer questioned whether aircraft like the Kuznetsov were seaworthy enough for Mediterranean sorties involving 47 aircraft.

• 3. Crises In The Post-2014 Era

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  The Ukraine crisis beginning in 2014 triggered a dramatic downturn in relations between Russia and Western nations. Following the annexation of Crimea, the United States imposed sanctions while most European countries followed suit due to concerns over interference in Central and Eastern Europe affairs. Diplomatic ruptures extended beyond Ukraine as Georgia broke ties with Russia on the 29th of August 2008 after the South Ossetia war. By the 24th of February 2022, Russia launched the Russo-Ukrainian War, prompting over 600 Russian diplomats to be declared persona non grata globally. A UN resolution condemning the invasion passed with support from 141 countries demanding full withdrawal of Russian forces. Relations deteriorated further during conflicts in Syria where Washington viewed Moscow as obstructionist regarding Bashar al-Assad's regime. Turkish-Russian relations worsened significantly after November 2015 when Ankara shot down a Russian jet fighter. Despite these challenges, Russia maintained strategic partnerships with China, India, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, North Korea, Myanmar, Eritrea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Iraq, Libya, Palestine, and Niger.

• 4. Global South Alliances

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  In response to widespread isolation by Western powers, Russia intensified efforts to solidify alliances across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Many African and South American nations abstained from voting against Russia in the UN Security Council following its military involvement in Ukraine. Countries like Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have established or strengthened diplomatic ties with Moscow. Specific agreements include arms transfers to the Central African Republic involving 175 instructors believed to belong to the Wagner Group. In 2024, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso reached an agreement with Russia to obtain telecom and surveillance satellites aimed at strengthening border security. These West African nations sought Russian support after facing Islamist insurgencies and tensions with former colonial rulers. Russia also expanded influence through mining operations and security services while leveraging cheap fossil energy exports to build economic partnerships.

• 5. Ideological Frameworks Of Statecraft

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  Kremlin foreign policy debates reveal three competing schools of thought shaping decision-making processes within the Russian government. Atlanticists advocate for closer relationships with the United States and Western world generally, prioritizing integration over confrontation. Imperialists seek recovery of semi-hegemonic status lost during previous decades, emphasizing restoration of traditional spheres of influence. Neo-Slavophiles promote isolation of Russia within its own cultural sphere, rejecting liberal values associated with Eurocentric imperialism. Eurasianism emerged as a dominant ideology following collapse of Soviet Union through writings by philosopher Aleksandr Dugin who equated liberalism with imperialist agendas. Early ideologue Nikolai Trubetzkoy denounced Peter I's Europhilic reforms while advocating embrace of Asiatic legacy from Chinggis Khan to establish trans-continental Eurasian statehood. Under Vladimir Putin, Eurasianism became official ideological policy guiding strategic decisions since early 2000s. The Concept of Foreign Policy approved in 2023 defines Russia as unique country-civilization seeking Greater Eurasian Partnership with China, India, Islamic World nations, Latin America, and Southern Africa. This document positions U.S. dominance as primary obstacle requiring counteraction through coordinated regional cooperation.

• 6. Diplomatic Severance Lists

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  Russia maintains an Unfriendly Countries List identifying nations with strained or non-existent diplomatic relations due to conflicts involving Ukraine, Georgia, and other geopolitical disputes. As of recent updates, Ukraine severed ties completely starting in 2022 following the Russo-Ukrainian War outbreak. Georgia ended diplomatic relations on the 29th of August 2008 after South Ossetia war concluded. Bhutan, Federated States of Micronesia (since 2022), and Solomon Islands also lack formal diplomatic engagement with Moscow. Over 600 Russian diplomats were declared persona non grata globally in March 2022 alone after UN resolution condemning invasion passed unanimously among participating states. Despite these severances, Russia continues maintaining embassies and consulates across numerous countries including Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Bilateral relations vary significantly depending on historical context, shared interests, and current political dynamics.