| Summary/Abstract |
The article focuses on Russia’s approach to international security in Northeast Asia.
It argues that Russia’s unique position is that it is not a party of any major security–
political conflict, takes a neutral position on territorial conflicts as best suiting its
interests of promoting cooperation with all East Asian states and objects to the
involvement of third parties. Russia is involved only in a dispute with Japan where
it demonstrates a flexible position. As a comparatively weak regional player, Russia
is interested in maintaining peace, stability and the status quo, in particular on the
Korean Peninsula, and has no revisionist agenda in East Asia. Major elements of
Russia’s approach include creating an inclusive, open, transparent and equitable
regional security architecture, support for polycentric regional order with Russia
as one of the major centers of power, criticism of the U.S.–sponsored MBD as
well as focus on a strategic partnership with China. Intensifying its Asian pivot,
Moscow is increasingly concerned with the tensions on the Korean Peninsula
where it promotes denuclearization, dialogue between the two Koreas, resumption
of the Six–Party Talks and opposes to the dangerous actions of all parties. Russia
and China advocate a “moratorium for a moratorium” proposal as the only way to
mitigate tensions and create a common security mechanism.
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