by Shelby Vcelka

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

MOSCOW, Russia–

NATO and the United States are among those Russia sees as its greatest threats to national security, according to a paper released and signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. He accuses the organization of practicing policies of containment, intensifying military activities of member nations, expanding the alliance, and moving military infrastructure closer to Russia’s borders. The paper itself was a reflection of Russia’s national security strategy, which had not been updated since 2009.

A new national security strategy released on New Years Eve by the Russian government lists both the United States and its NATO allies as threats. This is the latest in cooling relations between Russia and the West. (Photo courtesy of Huffington Post).

The document reflects diminishing relations between Russia and the West over the past two years. Tensions began to rise after Russia annexed Crimea and got involved in the war in eastern Ukraine. As retaliation, the West has imposed sanctions on both the Russian government and individuals aiding perceived Russian aggression.

Putin accuses the West and its allies of attempting to “maintain dominance in global affairs” leading to “political, economic, military, and informational pressure” on Russia. The paper also condemns the West for their stance on the conflict in Ukraine, stating, that it appeared the United States supported an “anti-constitutional coup d’etat in Ukraine.”

Reportedly, Putin has told his aides that he wants the West to admit that Russia has the right to intercede in its sphere of influence in Eastern Europe, without any condemnation or undue influence from NATO. He is also looking for ways to weaken the United States’ ties to Europe, and replace its influence with Russia. Through military interventions in both Syria and the Ukraine, Russia hopes to flex its military muscle and demonstrate that its needs must be met just as much as the U.S. and other Western countries.

The document repeats Russia’s criticism of the Arab Spring revolutions and other “color” revolutions in Eastern Europe, stating that the “practice of overthrowing legitimate political regimes is becoming more widespread, provoking domestic instability and conflicts.” Russia further criticizes the West by blaming the rise of the Islamic State on a “policy of double standards which some countries adhere to in the fight against terrorism.”

For more information, please see– 

BBC– Russia security paper designates Nato as threat— 31 December 2015

Financial Times– Putin names Nato among threats in new Russian security strategy— 2 January 2016

Huffington Post– Putin Lists U.S. As One Of The Threats To Russia’s National Security— 2 January 2016

Reuters– Putin names United States among threats in new Russian security strategy— 2 January 2016

Author: Impunity Watch Archive