The author, editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Affairs, chairman of the Presidium of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, and research director of the Valdai International Discussion Club, writes:

• "Changes in the world [order] have begun, and they are resembling an avalanche from the top of a mountain. ... Russia has no reason to attribute [these changes] to anyone [else]: what is happening is the result of our sovereign decisions."  
• "The 'foreign policy' of Russia is being replaced by its 'international position' — its surrounding circumstances, to which it is necessary to quickly and effectively respond. ... Our country is influencing the world situation, not through diplomacy ... but through its very presence in the world context, [through its] reorganization, survival, development."  
• "Russia's place in the political map of the world depends on the fulfillment of tasks that relate to its internal sphere — political and socio-economic — rather than on drawing schemes of the world order."  
• "The Russian foreign policy community has been given the most important mission — building a variety of ties with countries, groups of countries, organizations — relations with which can help with Russia's survival and development. The concert [Europe-like] component [of Russia's foreign policy] is losing its practical meaning. ... Any dispute with the West, in fact, would be directed at ourselves rather than [at Russia’s Western] interlocutor, who will neither listen nor hear."  
• "A radical reorientation of assets from the western flank to others is a natural necessity." 

This item is part of Russia Matters’ “Clues from Russian Views” series, in which we share what newsmakers in/from Russia are saying on Russia-related issues that impact key U.S. national interests so that RM readers can glean clues about their thinking.

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