Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a new foreign policy plan on Friday (March 31), prioritizing the removal of Western dominance in global politics. The announcement of the new approach coincides with the first anniversary of Russia’s pullout from Ukraine’s Bucha. The Russian military is squaring off against Ukrainian troops in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.
“The Russian Federation intends to give priority to the elimination of vestiges of the dominance of the United States and other unfriendly countries in world politics,” according to the new 42-page document, reports AFP.
The new strategy document, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, views the West as an “existential” threat to Russia.
“The existential nature of threats to the security and development of our country, driven by the actions of unfriendly states is recognized” in the strategy, Lavrov said during a televised meeting of Russia’s security council.
“The United States of America is directly named as the main instigator and driver of anti-Russian sentiment,” he added.
Surprisingly, the foreign policy statement singled out China and India as their primary global allies.
It stresses the importance of “the deepening of ties and coordination with friendly sovereign global centers of power and development located on the Eurasian continent,” reports AFP.
‘Russian evil will be defeated,’ said Zelensky
Earlier on Friday, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Bucha to commemorate a year after Russian soldiers withdrew and Ukrainian troops recaptured the city.
“The battle for the foundation of the free world is taking place on Ukrainian land. We will definitely win. Russian evil will fall, right here in Ukraine,” Zelensky said.
He previously referred to Bucha as “a symbol of atrocities” committed by Russian soldiers, who have been tied to extrajudicial killings of unarmed citizens in the city.
“We will never forgive. We will punish every perpetrator,” Zelensky said in a statement on social media.
Belarus calls for a “truce,” but is also willing to host Russian nuclear weapons.
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, a strong supporter of Vladimir Putin, has asked Moscow and Kyiv to assist in negotiating a “truce.”
“We must stop now before an escalation begins. I’ll take the risk of suggesting an end of hostilities… a declaration of a truce,” Lukashenko said during a televised state of the nation address.
He did, however, declare willingness to host Russian nukes on Belarusian territory.
“If need be, Putin and I will decide and introduce here, if necessary, strategic weapons,” he said, referring to long-range missiles.
“We will stop at nothing to defend our countries, our states, and our people,” Lukashenko said in a televised address to the nation.