Interfax: Lawmaker praises Russia’s “conservative” foreign policy

MOSCOW. Dec 12 (Interfax) – A senior Russian lawmaker has praised what, according to President Vladimir Putin, is the “conservative” nature of Russia’s foreign policy.

“Not to correct or deny but to continue history is the slogan of modern conservatism, a rational ideology that is appropriate for addressing tasks posed by circumstances,” Mikhail Margelov, head of the Federation Council’s International Affairs Committee, said in comments on Putin’s annual message to parliament delivered on Thursday.

“Of course, it is a conservative position,” Putin said in reference to the basis of the country’s foreign policy.

“But, to use the words of [Russian philosopher] Nikolai Berdyaev, the essence of conservatism is not that it hinders forward and upward movement but that it hinders backward and downward movement, movement toward chaotic darkness and return to primeval society,” the president said.

“Attempts to force allegedly more progressive models of development on other countries have in practice produced regress, barbarity, big bloodshed,” he said.

“This document,” Margelov said in reference to Putin’s message, “pointed out the indisputably successful nature of this course, which follows the international plan, defends the principle of the United Nations playing the leading role, and prevents the world order from being ‘diluted.’ This primarily applies to Syria and the Iranian nuclear dossier.”