Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree defining the new framework of Russia’s foreign policy today.

“Today I signed a decree approving the updated Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation,” the Russian president said during a meeting with permanent members of the Security Council.

Putin pointed out that “due to serious changes in the world arena, the basic strategic documents had to be adjusted.” According to him, the updated Foreign Policy plan will form the basis of the country’s practical actions in the medium and long term and will also be a good basis for further work in the field of international relations.

The main provisions of the updated Foreign Policy doctrine, according to Ria Novosti are the following:

– Russia does not consider itself an enemy of the West and does not isolate itself from it, has no hostile intentions.

– Russia is counting on the realisation that confrontation with the West is futile and appreciates the value of returning to equal interaction.

– Moscow considers the US course as the main source of danger to its security and international peace.

– Priority will be given to removing the remnants of US dominance in the world.

– Moscow tries to ensure security equally for all countries based on the principle of reciprocity.

– The overall deepening of ties and coordination with China and India is of particular importance.

– The main goal with the surrounding countries is to turn the region into a zone of peace, good neighbourliness, and prosperity.

Putin noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with other departments, worked to align this document with modern realities. He also asked officials involved in the implementation of a common foreign policy “to pay special attention to expanding ties with constructively thinking partners and creating conditions for unfriendly states to abandon their hostile policy towards Russia.”

The last time Russia amended its foreign policy planning was in 2016. At the end of January 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs created a draft of a new document, which took into account changes in the international arena. However, after the draft was discussed at a Security Council meeting, Vladimir Putin ordered that it be finalized.