FOI-R--3990--SE_reducerad

FOI-R--3990--SE
integration of ethnic minorities in the Baltic states and by facilitating the ability
of Russian-speakers to stay in the near abroad, in the hope of using them as a tool
for implementing Russia’s interests. The concepts of the Compatriots Policy and
the near abroad became the driving force behind Russian foreign policy in the
Baltic states. However, when Vladimir Putin came to power, he started to
concentrate on the so-called humanitarian dimension of Russian foreign policy in
the region. This idea was based on the principle of controlling the post-Soviet
region by non-military, but nonetheless quite aggressive means of shady
investments, energy blackmail and media manipulation. 357 As is noted above, the
outline of this policy was included in the 2008 Foreign Policy Concept of the
Russian Federation. 358 The 2013 equivalent states that Russia sees its goals as
“protecting the rights and legitimate interests of compatriots living abroad. 359
The important aspect of the new Foreign Policy concept is that it also emphasizes
the use of soft power.
These Russian foreign policy developments have affected Lithuanian political
and security thinking too. The 2012 Lithuania National Security Strategy
specifies those external risks, dangers and threats which must be given particular
attention. Among them are, in order of priority: (a) economic and energy
dependence, or dominance of the economic entities of other states in the
economic sectors of strategic importance to national security, that is, energy,
transport, finance and credit; (b) negligence of international nuclear energy
safety standards in the development of nuclear energy in the region, (c) efforts to
exert pressure on the political system, military capabilities, social and economic
life, and cultural identity of the Republic of Lithuania; (d) information attacks,
actions by state and non-state entities in the international and national
information space aimed at spreading biased and misleading information,
shaping public opinion in respect of the national security interests of the
Republic of Lithuania; and (e) cyber attacks. 360 Lithuania’s intelligence
institutions – the State Security Department and Second Investigation
Department under the Ministry of Defence – have recently begun to publish
annual reviews. In the 2012 review, the Lithuanian State Security Department
specifically states that some countries – with Russia in mind – are not just using
traditional power to promote their national interests. Lithuanian security risks
include: “the control of economic and energy resources, the creation and support
of influence groups in Lithuania, […] active informational, ideological policy
357 Pelnens, Gatis [ed.] (2009): The”Humanitarian Dimension” of Russian Foreign Policy toward
Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and the Baltic States, Riga.
358 See The Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation, (2008-07-12),
http://www.kremlin.ru/eng/text/docs/2008/07/204750.shtml.
359 See The Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation, (2013-02-12)
http://www.kremlin.ru/eng/text/docs/2008/07/204750.shtml.
360 See National Security Strategy of Lithuania (2012-06-26),
http://www3.lrs.lt/pls/inter3/dokpaieska.showdoc_lp_id=433830.
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