Vladimir Putin States Russia’s New Strategy
Eric Zuesse
Russian President Vladimir Putin
presented, on July 3rd, to Russia’s Security Council, the nation’s new
National Security Strategy, which encompasses not merely military, but
especially economic, agencies within the Russian Federal Government.
Because his statement was ignored in
Western ‘news’ media, it will here be presented in full, for individuals
who are interested, among the publics in Western countries. As is usual
for all of my reports, this one is simultaneously being submitted to
all of the major and most of the smaller news media throughout the
United States and United Kingdom (as well as some elsewhere), in order
for the information to be made available as widely as possible, in ‘the
free world.’ (My news reports are available at no charge.)
Anyone who might also wish to understand the reasons motivating the new Russian strategy might find relevant information here,
but Mr. Putin’s address does not discuss those matters; he instead
assumes that everyone on his National Security Coucil is well aware of
the relevant historical background.
The following, then, is the complete
Russian-provided English translation of the speech, as it has been made
available on the Web since July 3rd:
Security Council meeting
July 3, 2015, The Kremlin, Moscow
Vladimir Putin held an expanded meeting
of the Security Council at the Kremlin. The meeting discussed a range of
issues concerning protection of Russia’s security and national
interests in the face of sanctions imposed by a number of countries.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin:
Good afternoon, colleagues,
Our agenda today includes a range of
issues concerning protection of our national interests in the face of
the restrictive measures that some countries have imposed on Russia.
We know the reasons for the pressure
being put on Russia. We follow an independent domestic and foreign
policy and our sovereignty is not up for sale. This does not go down
well in some quarters, but this is inevitable.
It is clear today that attempts to split
and divide our society, play on our problems, and seek out our
vulnerable spots and weak links have not produced the results hoped for
by those who imposed these restrictive measures on our country and
continue to support them.
Our people, our key political forces, and
our business community understand what is happening and know what to
do. The timely measures we took have stabilised the economic and
financial situation and the labour market and ensured the stable
functioning of all strategically important economic sectors. We continue
implementing our most important state programmes, including in the
social sector.
Furthermore, our companies, Russia’s
producers, have proven that they are capable of developing in tough
conditions, finding new partners, and entering new markets at home and
abroad. This can be seen in the rapid growth of our agriculture sector.
Colleagues, recent events show that we
cannot hope that some of our geopolitical opponents will change their
hostile course anytime in the foreseeable future. The EU countries
recently extended the sanctions they have imposed on us, and discussions
continue in the United States on toughening sanctions against us.
Amidst all of this, no one is even trying
to analyse the reasons for what is now happening in southeast Ukraine,
which was what started all of this fuss in the first place. What I mean
here is that those who are imposing these restrictive measures and
so-called sanctions on Russia are in fact responsible for the events
that we are now witnessing in southeast Ukraine.
We must respond accordingly to this situation, of course, and take additional systemic measures in all key areas.
Firstly, we must make a rapid analysis of
all the potential challenges and risks we face – political, economic,
information risks and others. Based on this analysis, we then need to
make adjustments to our National Security Strategy.
Once the National Security Strategy is
updated, we will also need to update strategic planning documents
currently in force or in the process of drafting. Furthermore, if
needed, we will make clarifications to the Foreign Policy Concept and
the Foundations of Russia’s Comprehensive Policy in the CIS Area.
At the same time, our strategic course in
the foreign policy area remains unchanged. We are open for equal
cooperation and collective work on key issues on the international
agenda. We will continue to build relations with our partners based on
the principles of respect and mutual consideration of each other’s
interests, so long as this does not harm our own sovereignty and
national security of course.
As before, we support active development
of economic integration in the CIS area. We support expanding political,
business and humanitarian ties with the Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation and the BRICS group.
Economic security issues are a crucial
matter. Our strategic planning documents must define the main threats in
each area in clearer and more detailed fashion. These documents must
define the criteria and set the threshold indicators for the economic
situation at which national security risks would start to emerge. They
must also put into concrete terms the measures and mechanisms that would
enable us to reduce our economy’s dependence on negative external
factors.
At the practical level, the Government
and the Central Bank must pay particular attention to ensuring the
financial system’s stable operation. They must also put in place
measures to achieve more balanced budgets and reduce the debt burden on
regional budgets.
Overall, we must ensure very close coordination between everyone taking part in this work.
We must develop and present new proposals
for the conceptual basis of strategic planning and forecasting of our
country’s sustainable socioeconomic development and for risk management.
We need to analyse the socioeconomic situation in the regions and
conduct on-going monitoring using the regional situation centres. This
is especially important for the border regions.
As I said, the restrictive measures we
will discuss today have created problems for our economy, but they have
also opened new opportunities. Above all, our producers have been able
to significantly bolster their positions on the domestic market.
We continue our support for import
replacement projects, especially in the agriculture sector, defence
sector, engineering, pharmaceuticals, and the chemicals industry. If
need be, our companies will receive additional support in these areas.
But let me draw one very important matter
to your attention. The Prosecutor General’s Office, Rospotrebnadzor
(national consumer protection service), the Federal Anti-Monopoly
Service and other agencies must protect our people and companies from
fake and poor quality goods. No matter whether goods are produced in
Russia or abroad, they must meet modern requirements and standards and
their origin and price setting must be transparent and clear.
In conclusion, our direct responsibility
is to ensure reliable protection of Russia’s security in all areas and
preserve our country’s social, political and economic stability.
Much here will depend on consolidating
the efforts of our state institutions and civil society and on
concentrating our resources on the priority areas. I am sure that you
all understand this well and will do everything possible to resolve the
tasks before us effectively.
Thank you very much for your attention.
———-
Investigative historian Eric Zuesse is the author, most recently, of They’re Not Even Close: The Democratic vs. Republican Economic Records, 1910-2010, and of CHRIST’S VENTRILOQUISTS: The Event that Created Christianity.
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