New Russian security strategy views use of military force as “extreme measure”

File Photo of Russian Tanks in Military Parade

(Interfax – Moscow, January 13, 2016)

According to the new national security strategy, the use of military force by Russia is viewed as an extreme measure, Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary Mikhail Popov told journalists.

“The use of military force is viewed as an extreme measure. It can only be used once political, economic, diplomatic and other avenues have been exhausted,” he said.

“In order to defend its interests, Russia is pursuing a foreign policy that rules out costly confrontation, including a new arms race,” Popov said commenting on Russia’s new national security strategy.

“Strategic deterrence is accomplished by maintaining the nuclear deterrence capability at an adequate level and the Armed Forces in the set degree of readiness for combat use,” Popov said.

According to him, the text of the national security strategy has been brought in line with Russia’s new military doctrine, while the strategic objectives of defending Russia from attempts to use military force against it have been defined more clearly.

Popov said that “strategic deterrence and prevention of military conflicts envisages the elaboration and implementation of a package of interconnected political, military, military-tactical and other measures aimed at preventing the use of military force against Russia”.

He said that the strategy pays a great deal of attention to issues concerning the provision of the country’s mobilization readiness and civil defence.

The Russian national security strategy was approved by Russian President Vladimir Putin on 31 December 2015.

Yesterday, Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary Vladimir Nazarov said that Russia’s new national security strategy expanded the list of the country’s national interests.

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