Putin's Foreign Policy Legacy

Author(s): Edward Lucas
Editor(s): Jeronim Perovic, Robert Orttung, Matthias Neumann, Heiko Pleines, Hans-Henning Schröder
Series: Russian Analytical Digest (RAD)
Issue: 36
Pages: 11-13
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich; Research Centre for East European Studies, University of Bremen
Publication Year: 2008

Russian foreign policy is now focused on business rather than ideology, military power, or territorial expansion. However, Russia feels that the West has betrayed promises made by expanding NATO and Vladimir Putin decided to stop seeking friendly relations in 2006. Instead Moscow has tried to build up its relationship in the Muslim world, though these countries mainly see Russia as a counter to the USA and a possible source of weapons. Russia has also sought to work with China in building a World Without the West. However, Russia and China are rivals in the battle for influence in Central Asia. In these conditions, the West would do best to confront Russia sooner rather than later.

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