Russia’s Foreign Policy

As is well known, in recent years substantial changes have taken place in Russia’s foreign policy. Compared to Soviet times, its recent policy reflects a very positive evolution. It is now characterized by a more balanced perception of the “West” and “East” indeed; the tenor of Russia’s foreign policy nowadays corresponds better to what is in national interests. In the wake of the collapse of the USSR, Russia’s government prioritized democratic reforms and the creation of a market-oriented economy. The shaping of its foreign policy followed thereafter. The most significant among changes in its foreign policy, both then and now, has been the development of cooperation within the framework of the “CIS” (Commonwealth of Independent States). When the Soviet Union disintegrated, Russia attempted to re-establish links between the former “Republics”. An Agreement was signed on December 8, 1991 in the Belovezhsky Forest, Viskuli (the seat of the Belarusian Government) – by the leaders of Belarus, the Ukraine, and the Russian Federation – instituting a Commonwealth of Independent States. That Commonwealth now includes – all on an equal footing – Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kirgizia, Moldova, Russia, Tadjikistan, Uzbekistan and the Ukraine. The CIS Interparliamentary Assembly is based in St. Petersburg. The States resolve jointly economic issues, as well as questions relating to security, counter-terrorism and measures against extremists. Equally important is Russia’s foreign policy in regard to Western Europe. The Soviet Union remained in a state of “cold war” with Western Europe and the United States for a considerable time. Over the past twenty years our country has endeavoured to reciprocate the respect accorded us by Western countries and to conduct a dialogue with them. For example, the Russian-European Union “Paris Summit” adopted a Joint Declaration for intensifying dialogue and increasing cooperation in Europe on political issues and questions of Europe’s security. The European Union is undoubtedly a promising partner for Russia – partnership is indeed characteristic of our relations with major European countries at present. An Agreement on partnership and cooperation between Russia and the European Union has been set in motion. Preparations to major projects for economic cooperation are under way, including the problems of safety in the power-generating industry, pollution and environment protection. Relations with the USA are attuned to long-term interests as well. Russo-American “summit” meetings aim to promote constructive and mutually beneficial bilateral relations and the strengthening of Russian-American cooperation on international questions. The latter include disarmament, non-proliferation, joint actions to combat terrorism and the bilateral cooperation extension in various sectors of the economy – for example, Russia’s joining the World Trade Organization (WTO). The “Shanghai Forum” was set up in 1996 – otherwise known as the “Shanghai Five”. The leaders of Russia, China, Kazakhstan and Tadjikistan signed a Joint Declaration, identifying spheres of cooperation under the aegis of this organization. Later Uzbekistan joined this grouping. Leaders of the “Shanghai Forum” hold meetings at regular intervals to settle topical matters relating to mutual trust in the military field in frontier regions, mutual arms and force reduction in these regions, and the extension of cooperation in regional security as well as commercial and economic interaction. The guiding principle of Russia’s foreign policy at present is enunciated by President Vladimir Putin as follows: “Clear delineation of our national priorities, pragmatism, and economic efficiency.”

to perceive – 1) воспринимать, понимать, осознавать; 2) ощущать, чувствовать perceptibility – ощутимость, воспринимаемость perceptible – ощутимый, заметный, воспринимаемый perception – 1) восприятие, ощущение; 2) понимание, осознание a tenor – течение, направление, развитие in the wake – вслед за to prioritize – придавать большое значение to create – создавать Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) – СНГ on an equal footing – на равных основаниях in regard to – относительно; в отношении; что касается to endeavour – пытаться; прилагать усилия; стараться to reciprocate – отплатить be accorded – предоставлять, жаловать an agreement on – соглашение о to set in motion – привести в движение be under way – на ходу; быть в процессе подготовки to attune – делать созвучным, гармоничным; настраивать to promote – 1) способствовать, содействовать, стимулировать; 2) учреждать promotion – 1) содействие, поощрение, стимулирование; 2) основание, учреждение; 3) рекламно-пропагандистская деятельность mutually beneficial – взаимовыгодный bilateral – двухсторонний nonproliferation – нераспространение оружия to combat terrorism – бороться с терроризмом under the aegis ['i:dgis] – под эгидой to settle topical matters – решать актуальные (животрепещущие) вопросы mutual trust – взаимное доверие interaction ( commercial and economic) – взаимодействие to enunciate – объявлять delineation – зд. понимание, осознание

I. Read and translate the text paying attention to commentaries.

II. Practice reading the international words. Guess their meaning.

Evolution, positive, national, democratic reforms, extremist, declaration. Summit, cooperation, partner, project, industry, terrorism, sphere, organization, leader, interval, region, commercial, pragmatism.

III. The noun “state” is used in this text in different meanings. What are they?

IV. Give the English for:

Существенные изменения; соответствовать; распад; формирование (придание определенной формы); в рамках; восстановить связи; бывшие республики; учреждать, основывать; Межпарламентская ассамблея; борьба с терроризмом; борьба с экстремизмом; вести диалог; совместная декларация; многообещающий (перспективный) партнер; договор о сотрудничестве; загрязнение окружающей среды; защита окружающей среды; долгосрочный.

V. Match the terms in the left-hand column with their definitions in the right-hand one:

1. Agreement	a) use of violence and intimidation to achieve political aims
2. Declaration	b) a person who has beliefs or opinions that are considered to be extremely unreasonable by many people
3. Extremist	c) an agreement or decision (spoken or written) what to do, made by two or more people, groups, organizations, or governments
4. Forum	d) a meeting or series of meetings between leaders of two or more countries
5. Pragmatism	e) an official announcement that something is happening
6. Summit	f) an organized event or meeting at which people discuss something
7. Terrorism	g) a practical way of thinking or dealing with problems that emphasizes results and solutions more than theories
8. Extremism	h) a tendency to have political or religious ideas that are considered extremely unreasonable by many people

VI. There are two adjectives in the comparative degree in this text – the former and the latter. Given below are their meanings. Judging by them translate these adjectives into Russian.

a) the first mentioned of the two;

b) the second of two things or persons already mentioned

VII. Get ready to discuss the following questions:

1. What changes have happened in Russia’s foreign policy during the last 10 years?

2. Speak on relations between Russia and former “Republics ”.

3. Speak on Russia’s policy towards European countries.

4. Speak on Russia’s policy towards the USA.

5. Speak on Russia’s policy towards and the Far Eastern countries.