May 17, 2012
Good Cop or Bad Cop? Russian Foreign Policy in the New Putin Era
On Wednesday, January 25, 2012, the Transatlantic Academy hosted a seminar at the German Marshall Fund on Russia’s new foreign policy. The event featured a presentation by Volkswagen Foundation Visiting Fellow András Rácz, and commentary by Ivan Vejvoda, GMF’s Vice President of Programs.
In his presentation, András Rácz remarked that Russia may well pursue a deliberate “divide and rule” strategy in its relations with the West. The preference for a multi-polar world, he noted, is visible both in the Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation and in the declarations of various Russian top officials. Hence, from Moscow’s perspective, it would be logical to pursue fundamentally different foreign policy courses with the United States and the EU, in order to weaken transatlantic cooperation and promote global multi-polarity. In his commentary, Ivan Vejvoda discussed the need for modernization in Russia, as well as the many challenges the country faces both inside and outside its borders. He emphasized in particular the significance of Russia’s rising middle class, and its role in pressing for democratic reforms.
