Putin’s Six Principles of the Russian World
By At the Valdai Discussion Club – once a place where an international group gathered for discussions – Vladimir Putin laid out his six principles for the civilization of the Russian World.
1. We want to live in an open, interconnected world.
2. We want the diversity of the world to be the foundation for universal development.
3. No one has the right to rule the world for or behalf of others.
4. We are for universal security and lasting peace, build on respect for the interests of all.
5. The era of exploitation of anyone by anyone else is in the past.
6. We are for equality that allows for recognition of differences in the potential of different countries.
This was a week or so ago.
A few observations:
1, 2, and 6 are unexceptionable, until one adds in whatever qualifications live in Putin’s mind.
3 is his usual complaint about the United States, which, in his telling, wants to boss everyone around.
4 and 5 apply only to “real” states. Ukraine is, in his view, not a “real” state., nor is it showing proper respect for Russia’s interests.
Cross-posted to Nuclear Diner