Shin, Beom-Shik

Abstract
Due to its geo-strategically intermediate location between the East and the West, Russia pursues a multi-vector foreign policy approach toward the West (Europe), Center (Eurasia), and East (Asia), with Northeast Asia (inclusive of the Korean peninsula) included in the latter. Thus, relations with European countries in its West-orientation, relations with former Soviet states in its Center-orientation, relations with Asian-Pacific (especially Northeast Asian) countries in its East-orientation, as well as, its relations with US on the global level, all comprise the fundamental construct of Russian foreign policy-deeply interrelated, influencing one another. Therefore, if tension mounts from the West or Center, it is more than likely that Russia would respond in the East as well. However, fundamentally, the Russian foreign policy in Northeast Asia appears to continue the present policy of balancing the regional powers and securing its status in the region. In fact, Russia encourages this paradigm by strengthening its role and position through various initiatives. Given that, Russia’ s policy toward Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula, by the newly formed Medvedev’s administration, will not differ greatly from the previous Putin administration’s policies. It will continue to expand its influence and endorse policy which strengthens Russia’s role in forming regional security system. Essentially, Russia will promote its regional influence by building strong Sino-Russian relations, drive efforts to increase its influence on North Korea, and stabilize its relations with South Korea. Positively, it will try to constrain United States’ unilateral influence in this region, and will also try to counter China’s rise to be a regional hegemonic power, if necessary. To that end, Russia puts a high priority on the development of the Six-Party Talks into a permanent Multilateral Peace and Security Regime within the region.
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