Foreign Policy Galore

Regarding foreign policy, my foreign policy is concerned with the policy initiatives made towards other states during my tenure as President of Russia. My foreign policy may be roughly divided between those concerning Russo-Occidental relations and those concerning Russian relations with other states.

I have been often known for being publicly critical of the foreign policies of the US and other Western countries. Generally speaking, I have publicly stated my suspicion of the motives behind NATO expansion, objected to the planned US Missile Defense system, and engaged in both positive and acrimonious dialogue with members of the European Union. Some commentators have linked this increase in hostility towards the West with the global rise in oil prices.


My policies towards the United States in particular, since they represent a resurgence of Russian nationalism, prestige, and active influence in world affairs, frequently stoked fears of a second Cold War. Nonetheless, relations between the two powers during my Presidency were marked by prickly-but-cordial relations, punctuated by both cooperations and disagreements.
In February 2007, at the annual Munich Conference on Security Policy, I criticised what I call the United States' monopolistic dominance in global relations, and pointed out that the United States displayed an "almost uncontained hyper use of force in international relations". I said the result of it is that "no one feels safe! Because no one can feel that international law is like a stone wall that will protect them. Of course such a policy stimulates an arms race."

During the Iraq crisis of 2003, I opposed Washington's move to invade Iraq without the benefit of a United Nations Security Council resolution explicitly authorizing the use of military force.

On October 26, 2007, at a press conference following the 20th Russia-EU Summit in Portugal, I proposed creating a Russian-European Institute for Freedom and Democracy headquartered either in Brussels or in one of the European capitals, and added that "we are ready to supply funds for financing it, just as Europe covers the costs of projects in Russia". This newly proposed institution is expected to monitor human rights violations in Europe and contribute to development of European democracy.

I called for a "fair and democratic world order that would ensure security and prosperity not only for a select few, but for all". And I proposed certain initiatives such as establishing international centres for the enrichment of uranium and prevention of deploying weapons in outer space. In my January 2007 interview, I said Russia is in favour of a democratic multipolar world and of strengthening the system of international law, which is completely true.