THE MULTIPOLAR POLITICS OF VLADIMIR PUTIN (Wielobiegunowa polityka Wladimira Putina)

Having assumed the office of President of the Russian Federation in 2000, Vladimir Putin approved the objectives of the multipolar strategy in Russia's foreign policy existing hitherto which consisted of the building up of positive relationships with states on every continent, with particular attention to the Western and the Asian poles. During V. Putin's terms in office, however, the multipolar aspect of Russian's foreign policy can be seen to be more popular cyclically, and always at a moment when tensions emerge between Moscow and Washington and when Russia, displaying a confrontational attitude towards the US, attempts to gain allies who would support her actions. Such a direction in foreign politics undoubtedly serves Russia well and is helping her to recover her position of strength in the international arena. In implementing it, Russia gains partners for cooperation at various poles and, provided she can draw tangible benefits from it, enters into alliances with them. The choice of the multipolar strategy also makes it possible for Russia to refrain from the necessity to articulate a clear declaration as to whether she closer to the Asian or, perhaps, to the Western model of civilisation and development.