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This article covers the foreign relations of Russiamarker since the dissolution of the Soviet Unionmarker in 1991.

UN membership, NATO/EU partnership

On December 27, 1991, the Russian Federation assumed the seat formerly held by the Soviet Unionmarker in the UN Security Council. Russia also is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Union of Russia and Belarus, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC). It signed the NATOmarker Partnership for Peace initiative on June 22, 1994. On May 27, 1997, NATO and Russia signed the NATO-Russia Founding Act, which the parties hoped would provide the basis for an enduring and robust partnership between the Alliance and Russia—one that could make an important contribution to European security architecture in the 21st century, though already at the time of its signing doubts were cast on whether this accord could deliver on these ambitious goals. This agreement was superseded by the NATO-Russia Council that was agreed at the Reykjavik Ministerial and unveiled at the Rome NATO Summit in May 2002. On June 24, 1994, Russia and the European Union (EU) signed a partnership and cooperation agreement.

Countries formerly part of the Soviet Union

The non-Russian countries that were once part of the USSR have been termed the 'Near abroad' by Russians. More recently, Russian leaders have been referring to all 15 countries collectively as "Post-Soviet Space," while asserting Russian foreign policy interest throughout the region. There remain large Russian minority populations in many countries of the near abroad, an issue that has been dealt with in various ways by each individual country. They have posed a particular problem in countries where they live close to the Russian border, such as in Ukrainemarker and Kazakhstanmarker, with some of these Russians calling for these areas to be absorbed into Russia. By and large, however, Russians in the near-abroad do not favor active intervention of Russia into the domestic affairs of neighboring countries, even in defense of the interests of ethnic Russians. Moreover, the three Baltic states (Estoniamarker, Latviamarker, and Lithuaniamarker) have clearly signaled their desire to be outside any claimed Russian sphere of influence, as is reflected by their joining both the NATOmarker alliance and the European Union in 2004.

Close cultural, ethnic and historical links exist between Russia, Belarusmarker and Ukraine. Traditionally, at least from a Russian perspective, they have been treated as one ethnic group, with Russians called 'Great Russians', Belarusians 'White Russians' and Ukrainians 'Little Russians'. This manifested itself in lower levels of nationalism in these areas, particularly Belarus and Ukraine, during the disintegration of the Soviet Union. However, few Ukrainians accept a "younger brother" status relative to Russia , and Russia's efforts to insert itself into Ukrainian domestic politics, such as Putin's endorsement of a candidate for the Ukrainian presidency in the last election, are contentious.

Russia maintains its military bases in Armeniamarker, Tajikistanmarker, Georgiamarker, Moldovamarker and Kyrgyzstanmarker.

Mediation in foreign international conflicts

Russia has played an important role in helping mediate international conflicts and has been particularly actively engaged in trying to promote a peace following the Kosovo conflict. Russia's foreign minister claimed on February 25, 2008 that NATOmarker and the European Union have been considering using force to keep Serbsmarker from leaving Kosovomarker following the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence.

Russia is a co-sponsor of the Middle East peace process and supports UN and multilateral initiatives in the Persian Gulfmarker, Cambodiamarker, Myanmarmarker (Burmamarker), Angolamarker, the former Yugoslaviamarker, and Haitimarker. Russia is a founding member of the Contact Group and (since the Denver Summit in June 1997) a member of the G8. In November 1998, Russia joined the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC). Russia has contributed troops to the NATO-led stabilization force in Bosniamarker and has affirmed its respect for international law and OSCE principles. Russia has accepted UN and/or OSCE involvement in instances of regional conflict in neighboring countries, including the dispatch of observers to Georgiamarker, Moldovamarker, Tajikistanmarker, and Nagorno-Karabakhmarker.

Russia supported, on May 16, 2007, the set up of the international tribunal to try the suspects in the murder of the Lebanesemarker Prime Minister, Rafiq Hariri. [4252]

Territorial disputes

Russian foreign relations were and continue to be plagued by a number of territorial disputes with the neighbouring nations, including China, Japan, Norway and other counties. Because of unresolved disputes with Japan over the Southern Kurilsmarker, Russia is still technically at war with Japan following the 1945 Soviet invasion of Manchuria.

In August 2007, the Arktika 2007 expedition in Arctic waters culminated in the planting of a Russian flag on the ocean floor at the North Pole. Many countries claim that the Arctic is their territory, including the United States, Denmark and Canada. The region is believed to hold vast quantities of oil underneath the seabed.

Illicit drugs

Limited cultivation of illicit cannabis and opium poppy and producer of amphetamines, mostly for domestic consumption; government has active eradication program; increasingly used as transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian opiates and cannabis and Latin American cocaine to Western Europe, possibly to the United Statesmarker, and growing domestic market; major source of heroin precursor chemicals.

Participation in international organizations

APEC, BISmarker, BSEC, CBSS, CE, CERNmarker (observer), CIS, CSTO, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ESCAP, G8, IAEAmarker, IBRD, ICAOmarker, ICRMmarker, IDA, IFCmarker, IFRCSmarker, IHO, ILO, IMFmarker, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsatmarker, Interpolmarker, IOCmarker, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NSG, OASmarker (observer), OIC (observer), OPCWmarker,OPEC,OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCOmarker, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMOPmarker, UNOMIG, UNTAET, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPUmarker, WCO, EFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (applicant), Zangger Committee

Foreign policy under Putin's presidency

Vladimir Putin's presidency lasted from January 2000 until May 2008. In international affairs, Putin was publicly increasingly critical of the foreign policies of the United Statesmarker and other Western countries. In February 2007, at the annual Munich Conference on Security Policy, he criticised what he called the United States' monopolistic dominance in global relations, and pointed out that the United States displayed an "almost uncontained hyper use of force in international relations". He said the result of it is that "no one feels safe! Because no one can feel that international law is like a stone wall that will protect them. Of course such a policy stimulates an arms race." Some commentators have linked this increase in hostility towards the West with the global rise in oil prices.

Putin called for a "fair and democratic world order that would ensure security and prosperity not only for a select few, but for all" . He proposed certain initiatives such as establishing international centres for the enrichment of uranium and prevention of deploying weapons in outer space. In a January 2007 interview Putin said Russia is in favour of a democratic multipolar world and of strengthening the system of international law.

While Putin is often characterised as an autocrat by the Western media and some politicians, his relationship with US President George W. Bush, Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, former Germanmarker Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, former French President Jacques Chirac, and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi are reported to be personally friendly. Putin's relationship with Germany's new Chancellor, Angela Merkel, is reported to be "cooler" and "more business-like" than his partnership with Gerhard Schröder.

In the wake of the September 11 attacks on the United States, he agreed to the establishment of coalition military bases in Central Asia before and during the US-led invasion of Afghanistan. Russian nationalists objected to the establishment of any US military presence on the territory of the former Soviet Union, and had expected Putin to keep the US out of the Central Asian republics, or at the very least extract a commitment from Washington to withdraw from these bases as soon as the immediate military necessity had passed.

During the Iraq disarmament crisis 2002-2003, Putin opposed Washington's move to invade Iraqmarker without the benefit of a United Nations Security Council resolution explicitly authorizing the use of military force. After the official end of the war was announced, American president George W. Bush asked the United Nations to lift sanctions on Iraqmarker. Putin supported lifting of the sanctions in due course, arguing that the UN commission first be given a chance to complete its work on the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

In 2005, Putin and former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder negotiated the construction of a major gas pipeline over the Baltic exclusively between Russia and Germany. Schröder also attended Putin's 53rd birthday in Saint Petersburg the same year.

The CIS, seen in Moscow as its traditional sphere of influence, became one of the foreign policy priorities under Putin, as the EU and NATOmarker have grown to encompass much of Central Europe and, more recently, the Baltic states.

During the 2004 Ukrainian presidential election, Putin twice visited Ukraine before the election to show his support for Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, who was widely seen as a pro-Kremlin candidate, and he congratulated him on his anticipated victory before the official election returns had been in. Putin's personal support for Yanukovych was criticized as unwarranted interference in the affairs of a sovereign state (See also The Orange revolution). Crises also developed in Russia's relations with Georgiamarker and Moldovamarker, both former Soviet republics accusing Moscow of supporting separatist entities in their territories. Moscow's policies under Putin towards these states are viewed by politicians in the West as "efforts to bully democratic neighbors".

Russia's relations with the Baltic states also remain tense. In 2007, Russo-Estonian relations deteriorated further as a result of the Bronze Soldiermarker controversy.

Putin took an active personal part in promoting the Act of Canonical Communion with the Moscow Patriarchate signed 17 May 2007 that restored relations between the Moscow-based Russian Orthodox Church and Russian Orthodox Church outside Russia after the 80-year schism .

In his annual address to the Federal Assembly on April 26, 2007, Putin announced plans to declare a moratorium on the observance of the CFE Treaty by Russia until all NATO members ratified it and started observing its provisions, as Russia had been doing on a unilateral basis. Putin argues that as new NATO members have not even signed the treaty so far, an imbalance in the presence of NATO and Russian armed forces in Europe creates a real threat and an unpredictable situation for Russia. NATO members said they would refuse to ratify the treaty until Russia complied with its 1999 commitments made in Istanbul whereby Russia should remove troops and military equipment from Moldovamarker and Georgiamarker. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was quoted as saying in response that "Russia has long since fulfilled all its Istanbul obligations relevant to CFE". Russia has suspended its participation in the CFE as of midnight Moscow time on December 11, 2007. On December 12, 2007, the United States officially said it "deeply regretted the Russian Federation's decision to 'suspend' implementation of its obligations under the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE)." State Department spokesman Sean McCormack, in a written statement, added that "Russia's conventional forces are the largest on the European continent, and its unilateral action damages this successful arms control regime." NATO's primary concern arising from Russia's suspension is that Moscow could now accelerate its military presence in the Northern Caucasus.

The months following Putin's Munichmarker speech were marked by tension and a surge in rhetorics on both sides of the Atlantic. So, Vladimir Putin said at the anniversary of the Victory Day, "these threats are not becoming fewer but are only transforming and changing their appearance. These new threats, just as under the Third Reich, show the same contempt for human life and the same aspiration to establish an exclusive dictate over the world." This was interpreted by some Russian and Western commentators as comparing the U.S. to Nazi Germany. On the eve of the 33rd Summit of the G8 in Heiligendammmarker, American journalist Anne Applebaum, who is married to a Polish politician, wrote that "Whether by waging cyberwarfare on Estonia, threatening the gas supplies of Lithuania, or boycotting Georgian wine and Polish meat, he [Putin] has, over the past few years, made it clear that he intends to reassert Russian influence in the former communist states of Europe, whether those states want Russian influence or not. At the same time, he has also made it clear that he no longer sees Western nations as mere benign trading partners, but rather as Cold War-style threats."

British historian Max Hastings described Putin as "Stalin's spiritual heir" in his article "Will we have to fight Russia in this Century?". British academic Norman Stone in his article "No wonder they like Putin" compared Putin to General Charles de Gaulle. Adi Ignatius argues that "Putin... is not a Stalin. There are no mass purges in Russia today, no broad climate of terror. But Putin is reconstituting a strong state, and anyone who stands in his way will pay for it." In the same article, Hastings continues that although "a return to the direct military confrontation of the Cold War is unlikely", "the notion of Western friendship with Russia is a dead letter" Both Russian and American officials always denied the idea of a new Cold War. So, the US defence secretary Robert Gates said yet on the Munich Conference: "We all face many common problems and challenges that must be addressed in partnership with other countries, including Russia. ... One Cold War was quite enough." Vladimir Putin said prior to 33rd G8 Summit, on June 4: "we do not want confrontation; we want to engage in dialogue. However, we want a dialogue that acknowledges the equality of both parties’ interests."

Putin publicly opposed to a U.S. missile shield in Europe, presented President George W. Bush with a counterproposal on June 7, 2007 of sharing the use of the Soviet-era radar system in Azerbaijanmarker rather than building a new system in Polandmarker and the Czech Republicmarker. Putin expressed readiness to modernize the Gabalamarker radar station, which has been in operation since 1986. Putin proposed it would not be necessary to place interceptor missiles in Poland then, but interceptors could be placed in NATO member Turkeymarker or Iraqmarker. Putin suggested also equal involvement of interested European countries in the project.

In a June 4, 2007, interview to journalists of G8 countries, when answering the question of whether Russian nuclear forces may be focused on European targets in case "the United States continues building a strategic shield in Poland and the Czech Republic", Putin admitted that "if part of the United States’ nuclear capability is situated in Europe and that our military experts consider that they represent a potential threat then we will have to take appropriate retaliatory steps. What steps? Of course we must have new targets in Europe."

The end of 2006 brought strained relations between Russia and Britain in the wake of the death of a former FSB officer in London by poisoning. On July 20, 2007 UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown expelled "four Russian envoys over Putin's refusal to extradite ex-KGB agent Andrei Lugovoi, wanted in the UK for the murder of fellow former spy Alexander Litvinenko in London." The Russian constitution prohibits the extradition of Russian nationals to third countries. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that "this situation is not unique, and other countries have amended their constitutions, for example to give effect to the European Arrest Warrant".

Miliband's statement was widely publicized by Russian media as a British proposal to change the Russian constitution. According to VCIOM, 62% of Russians are against changing the Constitution in this respect. The British Ambassador in Moscow Tony Brenton said that the UK is not asking Russia to break its Constitution, but rather interpret it in such a way that would make Lugovoi's extradition possible. Putin, in response, advised British officials to "fix their heads" rather than propose changing the Russian constitution and said that the British proposals were "a relic of a colonial-era mindset".

When Litvinenko was dying from radiation poisoning, he allegedly accused Putin of directing the assassination in a statement which was released shortly after his death by his friend Alex Goldfarb. Critics have doubted that Litvinenko is the true author of the released statement. When asked about the Litvinenko accusations, Putin said that a statement released after death of its author "naturally deserves no comment".

The expulsions were seen as "the biggest rift since the countries expelled each other's diplomats in 1996 after a spying dispute." In response to the situation, Putin stated "I think we will overcome this mini-crisis. Russian-British relations will develop normally. On both the Russian side and the British side, we are interested in the development of those relations." Despite this, British Ambassador Tony Brenton was told by the Russian Foreign Ministry that UK diplomats would be given 10 days before they were expelled in response. The Russian government also announced that it would suspend issuing visas to UK officials and froze cooperation on counterterrorism in response to Britain suspending contacts with their Federal Security Service.

Alexander Shokhin, president of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs warned that British investors in Russia will "face greater scrutiny from tax and regulatory authorities. [And] They could also lose out in government tenders". Some see the crisis as originating with Britain's decision to grant Putin's former patron, Russian billionaire Boris Berezovsky, political asylum in 2003. Earlier in 2007, Berezovsky had called for the overthrow of Putin.

Leaders of the 33rd G8 summit in Heiligendamm, Germany


On 10 December 2007, Russia ordered the British Council to halt work at its regional offices in what was seen as the latest round of a dispute over the murder of Alexander Litvinenko; Britain said Russia's move was illegal.

SCO and CSTO members
Following the Peace Mission 2007 military exercises jointly conducted by the SCO member states, Putin announced on August 17, 2007 the resumption on a permanent basis of long-distance patrol flights of Russia's strategic bombers that were suspended in 1992. US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack was quoted as saying in response that "if Russia feels as though they want to take some of these old aircraft out of mothballs and get them flying again, that's their decision." The announcement made during the SCO summit in the light of joint Russian-Chinese military exercises, first-ever in history to be held on Russian territory, makes some believe that Putin is inclined to set up an anti-NATOmarker bloc or the Asian version of OPEC. When presented with the suggestion that "Western observers are already likening the SCO to a military organisation that would stand in opposition to NATO", Putin answered that "this kind of comparison is inappropriate in both form and substance". Russian Chief of the General Staff Yury Baluyevsky was quoted as saying that "there should be no talk of creating a military or political alliance or union of any kind, because this would contradict the founding principles of SCO".

The resumption of long-distance flights of Russia's strategic bombers was followed by the announcement by Russian Defense Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov during his meeting with Putin on December 5, 2007, that 11 ships, including the aircraft carrier Kuznetsovmarker, would take part in the first major navy sortie into the Mediterranean since Soviet times. The sortie was to be backed up by 47 aircraft, including strategic bombers. According to Serdyukov, this is an effort to resume regular Russian naval patrols on the world's oceans, the view that is also supported by Russian media. The military analyst from Novaya Gazeta Pavel Felgenhauer believes that the accident-prone Kuznetsov is scarcely seaworthy and is more of a menace to her crew than any putative enemy.

In September 2007, Putin visited Indonesia and in doing so became the first Russian leader to visit the country in more than 50 years. In the same month, Putin also attended the APEC meeting held in Sydneymarker, Australia where he met with Australian Prime Minister John Howard and signed a uranium trade deal. This was the first visit of a Russian president to Australia.

On October 16, 2007 Putin visited Tehranmarker, Iranmarker to participate in the Second Caspian Summit, where he met with Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Other participants were leaders of Azerbaijanmarker, Kazakhstanmarker, and Turkmenistanmarker. This is the first visit of a leader from the Kremlin to Iran since Joseph Stalin's participation in the Tehran Conference in 1943. At a press conference after the summit Putin said that "all our (Caspian) states have the right to develop their peaceful nuclear programmes without any restrictions". During the summit it was also agreed that its participants, under no circumstances, would let any third-party state use their territory as a base for aggression or military action against any other participant.

On October 26, 2007, at a press conference following the 20th Russia-EU Summit in Portugalmarker, Putin proposed to create a Russian-European Institute for Freedom and Democracy headquartered either in Brussels or in one of the European capitals, and added that "we are ready to supply funds for financing it, just as Europe covers the costs of projects in Russia". This newly proposed institution is expected to monitor human rights violations in Europe and contribute to development of European democracy.

Robert Kagan, reflecting on what underlay the fundamental rift between Putin's Russia and the EU wrote in February 2008: " Europe's nightmares are the 1930s; Russia's nightmares are the 1990s. Europe sees the answer to its problems in transcending the nation-state and power. For Russians, the solution is in restoring them. So what happens when a 21st-century entity faces the challenge of a 19th-century power? The contours of the conflict are already emerging—in diplomatic stand-offs over Kosovo, Ukraine, Georgia and Estonia; in conflicts over gas and oil pipelines; in nasty diplomatic exchanges between Russia and Britain; and in a return to Russian military exercises of a kind not seen since the Cold War. Europeans are apprehensive, with good reason."

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President George W. Bush failed to resolve their differences over U.S. plans for the planned missile defense system based in Polandmarker and the Czech Republicmarker, on their meeting in the Russian Black Seamarker resort of Sochimarker on April 6, 2008. Putin made clear that he does not agree with the decision to establish sites in the Eastern European countries, but said they had agreed a "strategic framework" to guide future U.S.-Russian relations, in which Russia and the U.S. said they recognized that the era in which each had considered the other to be a "strategic threat or enemy" was over. Putin expressed cautious optimism that the two sides could find a way to cooperate over missile defense and described his eight-year relationship as Russian president with Bush as "mostly positive". The summit was the final meeting between Bush and Putin as presidents and follows both leaders' attendance at last the NATOmarker summit in Romaniamarker April 2, 2008- April 4, 2008. That summit also highlighted differences between Washington and Moscow over U.S.-backed proposals to extend the military alliance to include the former Soviet republics of Ukrainemarker and Georgiamarker. Russia opposes the proposed expansion, fearing it will reduce its own influence over its neighbours.Fareed Zakaria suggests that the 2008 South Ossetia War turned out to be a diplomatic disaster for Russia. He suggests that it was a major stragetic blunder, turning neighboring nations such as Ukraine to embrace the United States and other Western nations more. George Friedman, founder and CEO of private intelligence agency Stratfor, takes an opposite view, arguing that both the war and Russian foreign policy have been successful in expanding Russia's influence.

Bilateral relations

Europe

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
2008 See Abkhazia–Russia relations



  • Russia plans on opening up a trade mission in Abkhazia in order to ease access to the local economy for Russian businesses. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to set up Russian embassies in Abkhazia and South Ossetiamarker in 2009.


In March 2009, Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh told the Vice President of the International Crisis Group that his republic had no plans to become a part of Russia and that his administration was "building an independent, legal, and democratic state."
1924-04-07 See Albania–Russia relations
See Austria–Russia relations
See Belarus–Russia relations

Russia remains the largest and most important partner for Belarus both in the political and economic fields. The Treaty on Equal Rights of Citizens between Belarus and Russia was signed in December 1998, covering employment, an access to medical care and education.
See Belgium–Russia relations

Russia has an embassy in Brusselsmarker and a consulate-general in Antwerpmarker, whilst Belgium has an embassy in Moscowmarker and an honorary consulate in Saint Petersburgmarker.
See Bosnia and Herzegovina – Russia relations

Bosnia is one of the countries where Russia has contributed troops for the NATO-led stabilization force.
1879-07-07 See Bulgaria–Russia relations
1960-08-18 See Cyprus–Russia relations
See Czech Republic – Russia relations

The present day relations between the two countries are at their best, and many agreements have been signed. Russia also has further reduced its oil deliveries to the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic has an embassy in Moscowmarker, and two consulate generals (in Saint Petersburgmarker and Yekaterinburgmarker). The Russian Federation has an embassy in Prague, and two consulate generals in (Brnomarker and Karlovy Varymarker).
See Croatia–Russia relations
See Denmark–Russia relations
See Estonia–Russia relations
See Finland–Russia relations
See France–Russia relations
See Georgia–Russia relations
See Germany–Russia relations
See Greece–Russia relations
See Holy See – Russia relations
See Hungary–Russia relations
See Iceland–Russia relations
See Ireland–Russia relations
See Italy–Russia relations
See Latvia–Russia relations
See Lithuania–Russia relations
See Luxembourg–Russia relations
See Malta–Russia relations
See Moldova–Russia relations
See Monaco–Russia relations
See Montenegro–Russia relations
See Netherlands–Russia relations
See Norway–Russia relations
See Poland–Russia relations
See Portugal–Russia relations
See Romania–Russia relations
See Russia – San Marino relations
See Russia–Serbia relations

Yugoslavia and the Russian Federation signed the Agreement on cooperation in the Fields of Culture, Education, Science and Sports on July 19, 1995. Based on this Agreement a Program of Cooperation in the Areas of Education, Science and Culture was signed in December 2001 for the period 2002-2004. The Days of Culture of the Russian Federation were held in Serbia and Montenegro in 2002 and those of Serbia and Montenegro in the Russian Federation in 2003.

The Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Belgrade has opened on April 9, 1933. Popular name of the centre is Russian House.
1993-01-01 See Russia–Slovakia relations

  • Russia opened its embassy in Bratislavamarker in 1993.
  • Slovakia has an embassy in Moscowmarker.
1992-05-25 See Russia–Slovenia relations
See Russia–South Ossetia relations
1991-12-09 See Russia–Spain relations

  • Igor Ivanov, a veteran of the Soviet embassy in Madrid, was appointed Ambassador of Russia to Spain and served in Madrid until 1994. In April 1994 president Boris Yeltsin became the first Russian head of state to pay a state visit to Spain.
  • Juan Carlos visited Russia in 2002, 2006 and 2008. Two months after the informal 2006 visit, media reported that the king shot a sedated, domesticated bear (a common treat for high-ranking guests at Russian hunting reserves). The king's spokeswoman and Russian authorities denied the fact.
See Russia–Sweden relations

Both countries had a history of war, and reastablishing diplomatic missions. Today, both countries remain close trading partners. Russia has an embassy in Stockholmmarker and a consulate in Gothenburgmarker, and Sweden has an embassy in Moscow and consulates in Saint Petersburgmarker and Kaliningradmarker. Both countries border the Baltic Seamarker and are members of the Council of Europe.
See Russia–Switzerland relations

Switzerland opened a consulate in Saint Petersburgmarker in 1816, upgrading it to a legation 90 years later. The two countries broke off diplomatic relations in 1923, when Russia was going through a period of revolutionary turmoil – and they were not resumed until 1946. Russia has an embassy in Bernmarker and a Consulate-General in Genevamarker. Switzerland has an embassy in Moscowmarker and since 2006, a Consulate-General in Saint Petersburgmarker.
See Russian–Turkish relations

Contact between the two countries has been close at times, but strained at others.
1991 See Russia–Ukraine relations
See Russia – United Kingdom relations

After the collapse of the USSR, relations between Britain and the new Russian Federation were initially warm. In the 21st century, however, while trade and human ties have proliferated, diplomatic ties have suffered due to allegations of spying, and extradition disputes; thus escalating political tensions between London and Moscow.


North Africa and Middle East

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
1962-03-23 See Algeria–Russia relations
See Russia–Arab League relations

  • The Russian Federation maintains various contacts with the Arab League and plays a mediating role in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
  • The Russian-Arab Business Council is an organization that develops the trade and economic relations between Russia and the Arab countries and provides assistance in establishing business contacts between businessmen. It has already established a Russian Based TV station called Rusiya al Youm (ar:روسيا اليوم) meaning Russia Today, in Arabic, it is the First Russian station to be aired in the Arabic language.
See Bahrain–Russia relations

Russia has an embassy in Manamamarker, and Bahrain has an embassy in Moscowmarker.
1943-08-26 See Egypt–Russia relations
See Iran–Russia relations

In 2005, Russia was the seventh largest trading partner of Iran, with 5.33% of all exports to Iran originating from Russia. Trade relations between the two exceed USD$1 billion. Motor vehicles, fruits, vegetables, glass, textiles, plastics, chemicals, hand-woven carpet, stone and plaster products were among the main Iranian non-oil goods exported to Russia.
See Iraq–Russia relations

The Soviet Union was critical of Saddam Hussein's August 2, 1990 invasion and occupation of Kuwait, and supported a United Nations resolution authorizing the use of military force, if necessary, to enforce an arms embargo against Iraq. But the Soviet Union's military support for Hussein also drew substantial criticism from the United Statesmarker and other Western countries. In Washington, D.C.marker, the Heritage Foundation foreign policy experts Jay P. Kosminsky and Michael Johns wrote on August 30, 1990 that, "While condemning the Iraqi invasion, Gorbachev continues to assist Saddam militarily. By Moscow's own admission, in an August 22 official press conference with Red Army Colonel Valentin Ogurtsov, 193 Soviet military advisors still are training and assisting Iraq's one million-man armed forces. Privately, Pentagonmarker sources say that between 3,000 and 4,000 Soviet military advisors may be in Iraq."
See Israel–Russia relations
1983-08-20 See Jordan–Russia relations

  • Russia has an embassy in Ammanmarker, while Jordan has an embassy in Moscowmarker.
  • http://www.jordan.mid.ru/
1991-12-28 See Kuwait–Russia relations
See Lebanon–Russia relations

Lebanon has an embassy in Moscow. Russia has an embassy in Beirutmarker.
See Libya–Russia relations

Russia has an embassy in Tripolimarker, and Libya has an embassy in Moscowmarker. Diplomatic contact between Russia and Libya has always been close and productive; seeing as both countries have had and continue to see volatile relations with the United Statesmarker. Leader Muammar al-Qaddafi was a close ally of the Soviet Unionmarker, despite his country's membership in the NAM; also Russia regards Libya as its' strongest ally in the Arab world, both politically and historically.
See Morocco–Russia relations

Russia has an embassy in Rabatmarker, and a consular office in Casablancamarker. Morocco is represented in Russia by its embassy to Moscowmarker. Former President and current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had paid a visit to Morocco in September 2006 in order to boost economic and military ties between Russia and Morocco.
1986-02-05 See Oman–Russia relations

Russia has an embassy in Muscatmarker. Oman is represented in Russia through its embassy in Moscowmarker.
1986-02-05 See Palestine–Russia relations
See Russia–Saudi Arabia relations

President Vladimir Putin met King Abdullah in Riyadh during a high level delegation visit on February 11-12, 2007 marking the first official visit for a Russian leader to the Kingdom. The visit was an opportunity for Moscow to further its relations with Riyadh in a broad range of areas including regional security issues, energy, trade, transportation, scientific cooperation and exchanges. King Abdullah's visit to Russia in 2003, as Crown Prince, marked an opening in high level contacts between the countries which did not have diplomatic ties from 1938 until 1990. President Putin departed Saudi Arabia later on for visits to Qatarmarker and Jordanmarker.

After the 2008 Georgia-Russia crisis, King Abdullah said that he had the full understanding of the Russian side on the independence of Abkhaziamarker and South Ossetiamarker, however, Saudi Arabia did not recognize the two regions yet.
See Russia–Sudan relations
See Russia–Syria relations
1956 See Russia–Tunisia relations

  • Russia has an embassy in Tunismarker.
  • Tunisia has an embassy in Moscowmarker.
See Russia – United Arab Emirates relations


Sub-Saharan Africa

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
See Angola–Russia relations
See Benin–Russia relations
See Botswana–Russia relations

The present-day relations between the two countries are described as friendly and long standing. According to the minister of Foreign Affairs, Russia was one of the first countries to establish full diplomatic relations with Botswana.
1967-02-18 See Burkina Faso – Russia relations

Diplomatic relations between Burkina Faso and the Soviet Union were established for the first time on February 18, 1967. After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Burkina Faso recognized Russia as the USSR's successor. However financial reasons has shut the embassies between the two nations. In 1992, the embassy of the Russian Federation in Ouagadougoumarker was closed, and in 1996, the embassy of Burkina Faso in was Moscowmarker closed.
See Cameroon–Russia relations

Russia has an embassy in Yaoundémarker, and Cameroon has an embassy in Moscow.
See Côte d'Ivoire – Russia relations

Russia works on UN missions to help the people of Côte d'Ivoire. The help is sometimes done from the Russian embassy in Abidjanmarker, but is also done from the embassy in Accra, Ghanamarker. From these point of view, Russia regarded the outcome of the extraordinary summit held in Dakar, Senegalmarker, of the Economic Community for West African States.
See Democratic Republic of the Congo–Russia relations

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has an Moscowmarker and an honorary consulate in Yekaterinburgmarker. Russia has an embassy in Kinshasa.
See Ethiopia–Russia relations

Russia currently has an embassy in Addis Ababamarker, and Ethiopia has an embassy in Moscow. The Ethiopian ambassador to Russia is also accredited to Armeniamarker, Azerbaijanmarker, Belarusmarker, Georgiamarker, Kazakhstanmarker, Kirgizstanmarker, Moldovamarker, Tajikistanmarker, Turkmenistanmarker, Ukrainemarker, and Uzbekistanmarker.
See Ghana–Russia relations

  • Russia has an embassy in Accramarker
  • Ghana has an embassy in Moscow.
  • In 2008, Russia's ambassador to Ghana said that he will get assistance from the Russian government to sustain the fight against mosquitoes and environmental pollution in the region would be very much appreciated since they were the major problems confronting Accra.
See Guinea-Bissau–Russia relations

On 31 December 1991, Guinea Bissau recognised the Russian Federationmarker as the successor state of the Soviet Union, after the latter's dissolution. Guinea-Bissau has an embassy in Moscow, and Russia has an embassy in Bissau. Russian citizens and embassy staff were evacuated from Guinea-Bissau in 1998 due to fighting between government and rebel forces. The current Ambassador of Russia to Guinea-Bissau is Mikhail Valinsky, who was appointed by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on 1 December 2008.
See Kenya–Russia relations

Russia has an Embassy in Nairobimarker. Kenya is represented in Greece through its Embassy in Moscow. Russia had established diplomatic relations with Kenya on December 14, 1963 and it still has good relations with the East African country.
1972-09-29 See Madagascar–Russia relations

Russia has an Antananarivomarker. Madagascar has an embassy in Moscow.
See Mali–Russia relations

Dmitry Medvedev with Bréhima Coulibaly
On 16 January 1992, Mali recognised the Russian Federationmarker as the successor state of the Soviet Union, after the latter's dissolution. Russia has an embassy in Bamakomarker, and Mali has an embassy in Moscow. The current Ambassador of Russia to Mali is Anatoly Pavlovich Smirnov, who presented his Letters of Credence to President of Mali Amadou Toumani Touré on 4 November 2005. The current Ambassador of Mali to Russia is Bréhima Coulibaly, who presented his Letters of Credence to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on 16 January 2009.
See Mauritius–Russia relations

The Russian Federationmarker has an embassy in Port Louismarker, and Mauritius has an embassy in Moscowmarker, which was opened in July 2003. The current Ambassador of Russia to Mauritius is Olga Ivanova. The current Ambassador of Mauritius to Russia is Mahendr Dosieah, who presented his Letters of Credence to Russian President Vladimir Putin on 25 July 2006.
See Mozambique–Russia relations

Mozambique-Russia relations date back to the 1960s, when Russia began to support the struggle of Mozambique's Marxist-oriented FRELIMO party against Portuguese colonialism. Most leaders of the FRELIMO were trained in Moscow. Diplomatic relations were formally established on 25 June 1975, soon after Mozambique gained its independence from Portugalmarker. In June 2007, both Russia and Mozambique signed an agreement on economic cooperation. Russia has an embassy in Maputomarker while Mozambique has an embassy in Moscowmarker, Russia.
See Namibia–Russia relations

Namibia has an embassy to Russia in Moscowmarker and Russia has an embassy to Namibia in Windhoekmarker. Samuel Mbambo is the Namibian representative in Moscow, while Russia is represented in Windhoek by Nicolai Gribkov.
See Nigeria–Russia relations

Russia has an embassy in Lagosmarker and a representative office in Abujamarker, and Nigeria has an embassy in Moscow.
See Republic of the Congo – Russia relations

The Republic of the Congo has an embassy in Moscow. Russia has an embassy in Brazzavillemarker.
See Russia–Senegal relations

  • Russian has an embassy in Dakar.
  • Senegal has an embassy in Moscow.
1976-06-30 See Russia–Seychelles relations
1992-02-28 See Russia–South Africa relations
1961-12-11 See Russia–Tanzania relations
See Russia–Uganda relations
1964 See Russia–Zambia relations

  • Russia has an embassy in Lusakamarker.
  • Zambia is represented in Russia by its embassy in Moscowmarker.
1979-01 Russia-Zimbabwe relations date back to January 1979, during the Rhodesian Bush War. The Soviet Unionmarker supported Joshua Nkomo's Zimbabwe African People's Union, and supplied them with arms; Robert Mugabe's attempts to gain Soviet support for his Zimbabwe African National Union were rebuffed, leading him to enter into relations with Soviet rival Beijing. After the end of the white regime in Zimbabwemarker, Robert Mugabe had strengthened his relations with both Beijing and Moscow as a result of intense western pressure on him. The USSRmarker soon established diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe on February 18, 1981 and Russia still maintains an embassy in Hararemarker. Both Russia and China still maintain strong economic and political ties with Zimbabwe and both countries had vetoed the UN resolution imposing UN sanctions on Zimbabwe which was proposed by both the US and the UK on July 12, 2008.


Asia

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
See Afghanistan–Russia relations

Relations were contentious when the latter invaded the former in 1979, causing many of Afghanistan's Muslim allies to act fast, Russo-Afghan relations improved in the years following the conflict. Russia has an embassy in Kabulmarker and a consulate-general in Mazar-e-Sharifmarker, and Afghanistan has an embassy in Moscow.
See Armenia–Russia relations
See Azerbaijan–Russia relations
See Bangladesh–Russia relations
See Brunei–Russia relations
See Cambodia–Russia relations
See China–Russia relations
See Republic of China – Russia relations
See India–Russia relations
See Indonesia–Russia relations
See Japan–Russia relations
See Kazakhstan–Russia relations
See Kyrgyzstan–Russia relations
See Laos–Russia relations
See Malaysia–Russia relations
See Mongolia–Russia relations
See Myanmar–Russia relations
See Nepal–Russia relations
See North Korea – Russia relations
See Pakistan–Russia relations
See Philippines-Russia relations
See Russia–Singapore relations
See Russia – South Korea relations

Since the 1990s there has been greater trade and cooperation between the two nations. The total trade volume between South Korea and Russia in 2003 was 4.2 billion US dollars.
See Russia – Sri Lanka relations
See Russia–Tajikistan relations
1991-12-28 See Russia–Thailand relations
See Russia – Timor-Leste relations

Russia was one of the first countries to recognize East Timor’s independence and took part in nearly all UN aid programs, providing food and relief personnel, including civil and transport aviation pilots.

After the shooting of Jose Ramos-Horta (former president of East Timor) The Russian ministry said; "The Russian side expresses its concern over the attempt on the life of the East Timor president, and hopes political stability in East Timor will be maintained, as a fundamental condition for a successful solution to the complicated problems it is facing. And in the interests of strengthening national unity and ensuring social and economic development."

Russia is represented in East Timor through its embassy in Jakarta marker.
See Russia–Turkmenistan relations
1992 See Russia–Uzbekistan relations
1950-01-30 See Russia–Vietnam relations


Americas

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
1885-10-22 See Argentina–Russia relations
See Foreign relations of the Bahamas
1991-06-25 See Belize–Russia relations
See Bolivia–Russia relations

Russia has an embassy in La Pazmarker, and Bolivia has an embassy in Moscow. As a first step to re-establish ties with Russia, The Bolivian government will purchase a small batch of Helicopters. also, it is possible Bolivia will purchase another two for anti-narcotic missions. Ambassador Leonid Golubev told The Associated Press that he would like to see Russia's ties to Bolivia one day "approach the level" of its growing partnership with Venezuela, which will host the Russian navy for military exercises in the Caribbean later this year.
See Brazil–Russia relations

Brazil–Russia relations have seen a significant improvement in recent years, characterized by an increasing commercial trade and cooperation in military and technology segments. Today, Brazilmarker shares an important alliance with the Russian Federationmarker, with partnerships in areas such as space and military technologies, and telecommunications.
See Canada–Russia relations

Canada and Russia enjoy a diverse and productive relationship as vast resource-rich northern countries as well as G8 partners. Canada and Russia benefit from extensive cooperation on trade and investment, energy, democratic development and governance, security and counter-terrorism, northern issues, and cultural and academic exchanges.
1944-12-11 See Chile–Russia relations

Chile has an embassy in Moscowmarker and two honorary consulates (in Saint Petersburgmarker and Vladivostokmarker). Russia has an embassy in Santiagomarker.
1935 See Colombia–Russia relations

Colombia has an embassy in Moscow and Russia has an embassy in Bogotá.
See Costa Rica – Russia relations

Costa Rica has an embassy in Moscowmarker. Russia has an embassy in San Josémarker.
See Cuba–Russia relations

These countries have had close cooperation since the days of the Soviet Union. Russia has an embassy in Havanamarker and a consulate-general in Santiago de Cubamarker. Cuba has an embassy in Moscowmarker and an honorary consulate in Saint Petersburgmarker.
See Ecuador–Russia relations
See Guatemala–Russia relations

Guatemala has an embassy in Moscowmarker. Russia has an embassy in Guatemala Citymarker.
See Honduras–Russia relations
See Mexico–Russia relations
See Nicaragua–Russia relations
See Panama–Russia relations
1992-05-14 See Paraguay–Russia relations
See Peru-Russia relations
2004-04-19
  • Russia is represented in Saint Lucia through its embassy in Kingston marker.
1974-06-06 See Russia – Trinidad and Tobago relations
See Russia – United States relations

Despite US-Russia relations becoming strained during the Bush administration, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and U.S. President Barack Obama struck a warm tone at the 2009 G20 summit in London and released a joint statement that promised a "fresh start" in US-Russia relations. The statement also called on Iranmarker to abandon its nuclear program and to permit foreign inspectors into the country.
See Russia–Uruguay relations
See Russia–Venezuela relations

Venezuela remains as one of Russia's most important trading and military allies in Latin America (after Brazilmarker), making a strong bond in the bilateral relations between the two nations.


Oceania

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
See Australia–Russia relations

Australian–Russian relations date back from first contact in 1807, with the arrival of a Russian vessel in Sydneymarker. Consular relations were established in 1857.

Diplomatic relations between Australia and the USSR were established in 1942, and the first Australian embassy in Moscow opened in 1943. Australia has an embassy in Moscowmarker and two honorary consulates (in Saint Petersburgmarker and Vladivostokmarker). Russia has an embassy in Canberramarker and a consulate-general in Sydneymarker. Both countries are members of APEC.
See Nauru–Russia relations

Russia is represented in Nauru through its embassy in Canberra marker. The Russian mafia used Nauru banks to money launder during the 1990s; approximately USD70 billion owned by Russian mafia were held in Nauru banks. This equated to 700 times the country's annual output. The money was transferred from Russian banks to accounts of banks chartered in Nauru, primarily to evade taxes as an offshore tax haven.
See New Zealand–Russia relations
1976 See Russia–Tonga relations

  • Tonga was the first Pacific Island country to establish relations with the USSR. The USSR was dissolved in 1991 and was succeeded by Russia as the successor state.
  • On October 2, 2005, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Tonga ST T. Tupou exchhanged telegrams offering congratulations on the occasion of 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two nations. In his heads of foreign ministries of Russia and Tonga expressed confidence in further development of Russian-Tongan relations in the interests of the peoples of both countries and strengthen peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Russia has a non resident ambassador in Canberramarker, Australia.
  • See also Soviet-Tonga relations
1986-06-30 See Russia–Vanuatu relations

  • The USSR broke up and Russiamarker emerged as its successor state in 1991.
  • Today, Russia's ambassador to Vanuatu is Aleksandr Blokhin (who is also an ambassador for to Australia, and Russia's other non-resident embassies in Canberra such as Fijimarker, Nauru, and Tongamarker.


See also



References

External links




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