Russia in Global Affairs

Russia’s policy in the Commonwealth of Independent States is likely to remain the focus of future discussions and a source of heightened tensions with the West until the end of 2004. The development of a realistic national strategy with regard to the CIS in general, and the European CIS countries (Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova) in particular, is still a problem for Moscow; the way this problem is solved will determine Russia-West relations and the future development of the political and economic picture in Russia.

Preparation for the new parliamentary and presidential elections began more than a year and a half ahead of the elections. Why so early? Because at stake is not only or largely the outcome of the elections as the development of the country in the next four years. One of the key issues in the election campaign is foreign policy whose various aspects are analyzed in this personal review.