STATEMENT by Ambassador Gennady Gatilov at the Conference on Disarmament. 18.05.2023
Statement by Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Office and Other International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Gennady Gatilov at the Plenary Session of the Conference on Disarmament: "Transparency in Armaments"
(May 17, 2023, Geneva)
Madame President,
Dear colleagues,
The topic of today's meeting is most appropriate for presenting, so to speak, in the manner of transparency, the new version of the Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation approved by President Vladimir Putin on March 31, 2023 (hereinafter: the Concept). I believe that familiarizing delegations with the goals, objectives and main directions of our country's foreign policy will have a positive impact on the interaction between the Member States of the Conference. Taking into account the specifics of our forum, I will focus mainly on those points and provisions of the Concept that are directly related to arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, and in broader terms - the international security.
For reference, I would like to note that the current version of the Concept is its third review over the last ten years. The previous ones were adopted in 2013 and 2016. The need to develop the current version is driven by rapid global structural changes in international relations, which required a significant adjustment in the foreign policy of our country. In this regard, we needed not only an in-depth and comprehensive analysis of the world situation and the political processes taking place at the regional and global levels, but also a fresh look at the place and role of Russia in the emerging modern system of international relations.
As for the situation in the world, the Concept refers to the versatility of the coming changes, their diversity and differences in the impact on the future of interstate relations. Some of them reflect the objective historical development and lead to the formation of a more resilient to global risks, challenges and threats, safe and predictable situation in the world, the stability of which will be maintained by the joint efforts of the entire international community. It will reflect a new fair, polycentric world order.
Other processes or changes are destructive in nature and provoked by certain States that refuse to recognize the inevitable favorable transformations that eventually should lead to a system of international relations in which there will be no place for hegemony, arbitrariness and despotism of any one State or a coalition of States in world affairs.
In particular, the Concept states that humanity is undergoing revolutionary changes. A more equitable multipolar world order is underway. The imbalanced model of world development is irrevocably becoming history, as the sovereignty and competitive opportunities of non-Western world powers and regional leading countries are being bolstered. Rising national consciousness, cultural and civilizational diversity and other objective factors accelerate the processes of shifting the development potential to new centers of economic growth and geopolitical influence and promote democratization of international relations.
However, a group of states accustomed to the logic of global dominance and neocolonialism, and this is perhaps the majority of countries representing the so-called “collective West”, refuses to recognize the realities of the multipolar world order and reach an accord on its parameters and principles. The West attempts to restrain the natural course of history, eliminate political, military and economic competitors, and suppress dissent. To this end, they use illegal means that contradict normal diplomatic practice.
We would especially like to note that these actions have a devastating effect on all spheres of international relations. The UN and other multilateral institutions serving as platforms for reaching agreements between countries experience serious pressure and are being artificially devalued. The international legal system is put to the test: a small group of States is trying to replace it with the concept of a world order based not on international law, but on certain “rules” with no room for equitable participation of all interested States.
It becomes more difficult to come up with collective responses to the persisting and growing transnational challenges and threats that require consolidated action. They include illicit arms trade, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, dangerous pathogens and infectious diseases, use of information and communication technologies for illicit purposes, international terrorism, and so on.
In its turn, opportunities for dialogue are shrinking, and vice versa, the role of the force factor in international relations is significantly increasing, which only expands of the scale of the problems mentioned. Destabilizing build-up and modernization of offensive military capabilities and the destruction of the arms control system are undermining strategic stability. The most dangerous is the growing risk of armed conflicts between large States, including nuclear powers. Eventually, this can lead to even greater escalation, the beginning of local and regional clashes, and even a global war with unpredictable consequences for humanity.
Madame President,
Esteemed colleagues,
According to the new Concept, Russia's foreign policy aims at leveling these threats. The document declares the intentions and readiness of our country to respond to them in accordance with the current situation. At the same time, I want to especially emphasize our country’s outlined directions and principles of constructive and mutually beneficial cooperation with interested countries in the new geopolitical conditions.
The Concept clarifies our vision of the principles of a more balanced and fair world order. Among them are polycentricism, sovereign equality of States, ensuring their right to choose development models, upholding cultural and civilizational diversity of the world.
The document states that Russia pursues an independent and multi-vector foreign policy driven by its national interests and the awareness of its special responsibility for maintaining peace and security at the global and regional levels. A defining characteristic of Russia's current foreign policy is its pragmatic nature, which implies building relations with other States and interstate associations, taking into account the nature of their policy towards our country.
In resolving interstate contradictions and conflicts, Russia, as before, will prioritize peaceful means of their resolution, primarily through diplomacy and negotiations. However, if non-military measures are exhausted and aggression against us is inevitable, in that case our country reserves the right to ensure national security with every means available. An important innovation is that our Armed Forces will be used not only to repel an armed attack on Russia and its allies, but also to prevent such actions. This approach fully complies with the requirements of Article 51 of the UN Charter and reflects the principle of indivisible security.
With regard to the hypothetical possibility of using nuclear weapons for defense purposes, Russia continues to strictly adhere to the principled approaches outlined in the Military Doctrine of December 2014 and the Fundamentals of State Policy in the field of nuclear deterrence adopted in June 2020. Both of these documents allow deterrence through Russia's combined military potential, including both its nuclear and conventional components.
Madame President,
Esteemed colleagues,
I would like to emphasize that the Concept clearly states that Russia does not consider itself to be an enemy of the West, is not isolating itself from the West and has no hostile intentions towards it. The Russian Federation stands ready for dialogue and cooperation on the principles of sovereign equality and respect for each other's interests. At the same time, we proceed from the existential nature of threats to the security and development of our country, created by the actions of unfriendly States. Therefore, the provisions of the Concept stipulates that anti-Russian steps will be consistently and, if necessary, harshly suppressed. The use of both symmetrical and asymmetric response measures is envisaged.
It is also important to note that the Russian Federation proceeds from the indivisibility of international security in global and regional aspects and seeks to equally ensure it for all States, as indicated in the document, on the principle of reciprocity. On this basis, according to the document, Russia is open to joint actions to form a renewed, more stable architecture of international security with all interested States and interstate associations.
In order to ensure strategic stability, eliminate prerequisites for unleashing a global war and the risks of using nuclear and other types of weapons of mass destruction, the Russian Federation, as noted in the Concept, intends to strive for strategic deterrence and prevent aggravation of interstate relations to a level capable of provoking military conflicts, including with the use of weapons of mass destruction. This policy is fully consistent with Russia's international obligations, including those taken in accordance with the Joint Statement of the Leaders of the Five Nuclear-Weapon States on Preventing Nuclear War and Avoiding Arms Races of January 3, 2022.
Significant attention in the document is paid to strengthening and developing the system of international treaties in arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.
The Concept attaches paramount importance to strengthening and developing the system of international treaties in the areas of strategic stability, arms control, prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery, and related goods and technologies. The importance of strengthening and developing international political foundations (agreements) for maintaining strategic stability, arms control regimes and non-proliferation of all types of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery gains additional recognition, with mandatory comprehensive consideration of all types of weapons and factors affecting strategic stability in their interconnection.
One of the key directions of foreign policy in the field of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation remains the prevention of an arms race and the prevention of its transfer to new environments, including outer space, as well as the creation of conditions for further gradual reduction in nuclear potentials, taking into account all factors affecting strategic stability.
In the context of ensuring international security, the focus of Russia's foreign policy is the implementation of security guarantees in respect of States Parties to regional treaties on nuclear-weapon-free zones, as well as the strengthening nuclear safety and security at the global level and preventing acts of nuclear terrorism.
In connection with ensuring international security and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, the Concept recognizes the importance of strengthening the role of multilateral export control mechanisms. At the same time, Russia will continue to oppose transformation of these mechanisms into an instrument of unilateral restrictions that impede implementation of legitimate international cooperation.
In order to prevent the emergence of biological threats, the Russian Federation intends to seek investigation of cases of alleged development, deployment and use of biological and toxin weapons, primarily in the territories of neighboring States, to promote efforts aimed at strengthening the regime of the Convention on the Prohibition of Biological and Toxin Weapons.
Particular emphasis in the context of regional and global security is also placed on improving confidence-building measures in the military and international spheres and preventing unintentional armed incidents.
Madame President,
Dear colleagues,
The updated Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation, adapted to the current international and geopolitical realities, is but a reflection and natural response of our country to emerging challenges and threats to national security. As follows from the document, any malicious attempts to exert undue pressure on our country will continue to be met with reasonable and adequate responses.
At the same time, it is obvious that serious measures to restore the shattered security architecture would be required in order to ensure long-standing global stability. The architecture should minimize conflict potential on the basis of mutual consideration of each other’s fundamental interests by all parties involved. It will be necessary to restore relations between the nuclear States, the permanent members of the UN Security Council that take on the main responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. Russia stands ready for this.
Thank you for your attention.
