the development of russian military policy and finland

10 · The Development of Russian Military Policy and Finland
presented the main principles of Russian foreign and defence policy in August
of 2008. Special attention was given to the following passage:
Protecting the lives and dignity of our citizens, wherever they may be, is an unquestionable
priority for our country. Our foreign policy decisions will be based on this
need. We will also protect the interests of our business community abroad. It should
be clear to all that we will respond to any aggressive acts committed against us. 31
These principles were finally written into law at the end of 2009, giving Russia’s
armed forces the right to operate abroad. 32
With regard to Russia’s relations to foreign countries, Medvedev affirmed that
“there are regions in which Russia has privileged interests. These regions are
situated in countries with which we share special historical relations and are
bound together as friends and good neighbors.” 33 In September of 2008,
Medvedev told political analysts from the Western countries that: “Our
neighbors are close to us in many respects, and are a traditional area of interest
for the Russian nation. We are so close to each other, it would be impossible
to tear us apart, to say that Russia has to embark on one path and our
neighbors on another.” 34
Thus Russia also strives to strengthen the loyalty of Russians living outside
her borders to their Motherland, and may also use harsh methods to achieve
her goals. In this sense, problems have come up, especially in certain Baltic
States in that preserving Russian citizenship is more important to a large
number of Baltic Russians than the citizenship to their actual homeland. One
may consider secondary citizenship to also include certain obligations to the
country one is a citizen of. Problems of conflicting loyalties may arise from
this in times of crisis and not only in the Baltic States.
Finland is also a target of Russia’s persistent efforts to increase her influence
using “soft power”. Under the pretext of protecting the rights of Russians
living in Finland, Russian authorities have meddled in the affairs of private
citizens and tried to elevate these issues to a national level. In a particular case
concerning child-care, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov went as far as to condemn
Finland of “uncivilized” treatment of a Russian national. 35
31 President of Russia, 2008.
32 Matthews & Nemtsova, 2009; People’s Daily Online, 9 November 2009, “Medvedev
Signs Use of Russian Army Abroad into Law”
[http://english.people.com.cn/90001/ 90777/90851/6808120.html].
33 President of Russia, 2008.
34
Debski, 2008.
35 Voice of Russia, 8 October 2012, “Russian Foreign Chief Slams Finland for Separating
Mother and New-Born Baby” [http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_10_08/Russian-foreign-chief-