What is the comprehensive diplomatic strategy since Putin came to power?

Comment on Putin's Diplomatic Strategy

After the Cold War, Russia was in a period of internal troubles and foreign invasion, and its diplomatic situation was extremely passive. Especially by the end of 1999, the relationship between Russia and the United States deteriorated seriously, the relationship between Russia and NATO was frozen, and the relationship between Russia and the West fell to the lowest point in eight years since the founding of Russia. It was in this crisis that Putin was sworn in as president. Over the past two years, through constant adjustment and practice, Putin has basically formed a relatively clear and effective diplomatic strategic plan.

A country's diplomatic strategy usually includes the following aspects: diplomatic thoughts, diplomatic goals and foreign policies. Let's discuss Putin's diplomatic strategy from these aspects.

(A) Putin's diplomatic thoughts

Diplomatic thought, also known as diplomatic strategic thought, refers to a set of theories and viewpoints that are formed on the basis of macro-grasping the basic problems of one's own diplomacy, occupy a leading or dominant position in diplomatic entities, and play a guiding role in its diplomatic practice in a universal sense. In diplomatic strategy, diplomatic thought mainly plays the role of enlightenment, guidance and guidance. All other contents of diplomatic strategy must reflect diplomatic thoughts to some extent.

Since the 1990s, three propositions have run through Russia's diplomatic strategy: Euro-Atlanticism, Modern Slavism and Neo-Eurasia. The change of Russian foreign policy has much to do with the alternation of these ideas.

Euro-Atlanticism is a variant of the western school that advocates total westernization in Russian history. It holds that Russia's foreign policy should be a "partner" and "ally" with the West under the symbol of democratization, non-ideology, demilitarization and non-globalization, so as to "return to Europe" and become a member of the western "civilized country family" again. The antithesis of Euro-Atlantic doctrine is modern Slavism. In foreign policy, it pays more attention to independence, takes Russia as the center, advocates the unity of Slavs, and advocates the reunification of Russia with Belarus and Ukraine to form the center of a powerful country. Neo-Eurasia believes that "Russia belongs to neither Europe nor Asia, but a special Eurasian phenomenon", so it calls itself "Eurasian". In foreign policy, Russia should be a balancing factor between East and West. It is not the backyard of the west, but the gateway to the east. It should be revived as an intermediary between East and West, and occupy a central position in the Union of European and Asian sovereign states. Eurasianism, which lives between the East and the West, is more popular in Russia and has a growing influence on Russian foreign policy.

Based on the theory of ideological origin, Putin's diplomatic thought reflects the light of neo-Eurasia. Putin deliberately pursues a balance in the dynamics of his external environment, which maintains Russia's international status as a traditional Eurasian power in at least two aspects: one is to maintain the remaining strategic nuclear forces as the main means to resist the pressure of the United States; The second is to link national interests with diplomacy while making a breakthrough, emphasizing the supremacy of internal factors. Obviously, contemporary Russian diplomacy has greatly surpassed the concept of neo-Eurasia, but as far as Putin's "balance" is concerned, it can still be attributed to Eurasia.

Putin's diplomatic thought is not only inherited and continued, but also adjusted and developed. He inherited primakov's diplomatic thought (Eurasian diplomatic thought). In short, Putin's inheritance is mainly manifested in: safeguarding national interests and defending the status of a big country; Oppose the unipolar world pattern dominated by one country or several countries, promote the establishment of a democratic multipolar international relations system, and strive for Russia to become an important pole in the world; Adhere to balanced all-round diplomacy.

Under the guidance of this diplomatic strategic thought, Putin's government began to set diplomatic goals.

(B) Putin's diplomatic goals

In the whole diplomatic strategy, diplomatic goal is its core content. It mainly refers to the result of a series of diplomatic efforts that the country is scheduled to strive for when conducting diplomatic activities, which can promote changes in the diplomatic pattern and foreign affairs that are beneficial to itself.

After Putin came to power, his ruling profoundly showed his rebellion and salvation against the decline of Russia's status as a great power, and clearly put forward the consciousness of strengthening the country and rejuvenating the nation. In his article Russia at the turn of the Millennium, he clearly pointed out at the beginning: "Russia's traditional state-owned values since ancient times will not be copied by the United States or Britain." [1] This shows that Putin is determined to get rid of the sense of loss after the disintegration of the Soviet Union and re-establish the strategic goal of reviving Russia's status as a great power.

When Russia revives Russia, its status as a great power naturally becomes the highest goal of its diplomatic strategy. But this obviously does not mean that Russia will return to the era of the former Soviet Union, whether from the historical or practical point of view.

The realization of the highest goal of diplomatic strategy depends on the formulation and implementation of basic diplomatic goals. The formulation of basic diplomatic goals depends to a great extent on the country's comprehensive strength, international environment and national motives at this stage, and is also closely related to the overall national strategy. The basic goal of diplomatic strategy is subordinate to domestic development, and its strategic bottom line must first ensure a peaceful and stable external environment for national economic development and ensure that the core interests of the country, such as territorial integrity, national unity and national security, are not violated. The key to the reasonable formulation of the basic objectives of diplomatic strategy lies in the balance with objective factors such as strategic environment, strategic resources and comprehensive national strength. Even if a country is strong, if its basic goal is beyond the scope of strategic environment and comprehensive national strength, its strategic resources will be consumed too quickly and its strategic cost will be too high, which will lead to a rapid decline in national prestige and international status. Putin is obviously aware of this. In view of Russia's current comprehensive strength, in July 2000, the Russian foreign policy concept clearly pointed out that "the highest priority of Russian foreign policy is to protect the interests of individuals, society and the country." Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov said that the new foreign policy concept is characterized by its realism first. Russia will accept the fact that its political status in the world has declined, be pragmatic in its future foreign policy, and concentrate on better solving domestic problems. The main diplomatic tasks will include maintaining social order, seeking good foreign trade relations and protecting the interests of ethnic minorities in other regions after the disintegration of the former Soviet Union. He said: "At present, the coverage of our foreign policy has shrunk objectively, and the government's main energy will focus on areas that are vital to Russia, such as economy and government construction. Now is a critical period for Russia's development. At this time, foreign policy should focus on self-construction and actively help solve domestic problems. "