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Russia has adopted a new foreign policy strategy declaring the West an “existential” threat. The new strategy was necessitated by the current “upheavals in the international arena,” President Vladimir Putin, 70, said on Friday. His ally, Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko (68), meanwhile declared his willingness to station “strategic” Russian nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory after calling for a ceasefire and negotiations.
One of the spearheads of Putin’s new foreign policy strategy for Russia is the “elimination of Western dominance” in world politics. “The Russian Federation intends to give priority to eliminating (…) the dominance of the United States and other unfriendly countries in world politics,” the 42-page document reads.
20 “unfriendly” states
China and India, on the other hand, are declared important allies of Russia on the world stage. The strategy therefore emphasizes the importance of “deeper relations and coordination with friendly sovereign global centers of power and development on the Eurasian continent”. The doctrine also provides for the expansion of relations with Africa and Latin America.
Regarding the new strategy, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (73) spoke of Moscow’s response to the “existential nature of the threats to our country’s security and development from the actions of hostile states”.
Moscow has classified about 20 states as “unfriendly”. These include the US, Germany, Great Britain and Poland. All of them have imposed massive sanctions on Moscow over Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Lavrov specifically accused the US of being the driving force behind “anti-Russian reservations” around the world. Washington and its allies waged a “hybrid war” against Moscow.
Lukashenko demands an unconditional ceasefire
Belarusian President Lukashenko said in a televised address to the nation on Friday that he and Putin would decide “if necessary” whether to deploy strategic weapons here. “We will stop at nothing to defend our countries, our states and our people,” Lukashenko added.
“Strategic” nuclear weapons have greater range and effectiveness than “tactical” nuclear weapons. Putin said last weekend that Russia would station “tactical” nuclear weapons in Belarus. The announcement has sparked concern in Ukraine and among its Western allies.
Earlier, Lukashenko had called for a ceasefire “without preconditions” in Ukraine. “It has to stop now before it escalates further,” he said in his address to the nation on Friday. “All territorial issues, reconstruction, security and other issues must and can be clarified at the negotiating table,” Putin’s closest confidant said.
The only solution is negotiations, Lukashenko said. Russia’s military-industrial complex is “in full swing”, while Ukraine is “overwhelmed by Western weapons”. Any further escalation will result in many deaths, he added.
Lukashenko warned of imminent nuclear war because of Western support for Kiev. “A large-scale war has been unleashed because of the US and its satellites,” Lukashenko said in the televised address. Therefore “a third world war with nuclear fires is on the horizon”.
Belarus is not directly involved in the conflict in Ukraine, but has allowed Russia to use Belarusian territory as a launching pad for its offensive in Ukraine last year, sources in Kiev said. Since then, both countries have held joint military exercises in Belarus and intensified their military cooperation.
Ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have failed in the past due to the irreconcilable positions of both sides. Moscow wants to end the conflict only if Kiev accepts his demands.
This also includes the recognition of Russia’s annexation of five Ukrainian regions last year. Ukraine, for its part, will not participate in peace negotiations until Russia – without exception – has withdrawn all its soldiers from Ukrainian territory. (AFP)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
