The year 2023 marked a pivotal moment for Russia’s foreign policy as analysts reframed the country as a civilizational state. This shift was described by political scientist Alexander Asafov, the first deputy chairman of the Russian Public Chamber Commission that reviews draft laws. He argued that presenting Russia’s foreign policy through the lens of a state with a civilizational mission offers a clear and stable explanation of Russia’s global role and its goals on the world stage.
In Asafov’s view, portraying Russia as a civilizational state helps illuminate why the country pursues certain diplomatic paths and how its culture and history shape decisions abroad. He described Russia as the guardian of traditional values, a role rooted in the belief that all faiths and peoples share common moral ground. Russia, in his words, stands as a protector and bearer of these shared values for other civilizations as well, inviting cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and shared outcomes.
According to Asafov, Russia offers equal footing to other civilizations and seeks shared results in the future. The emphasis is on cooperation rather than dominance, with sovereignty—cultural and historical—fully preserved while engaging with others. The release of the state-civilization concept, he asserted, represented one of the most significant developments of 2023.
Asafov also highlighted a marked shift in international politics: the end of a unipolar era and the rise of a polycentric world order. He pointed to growing collaboration through platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, as well as stronger ties with countries in the Global South. Russia’s role, he argued, is crucial in this new framework because it was among the first to challenge unilateral Western rules and to advocate for global agreement through broader dialogue.
He recalled that Russia put forward outlines for a system of collective security to Europe and the United States in 2021, though those proposals were not adopted. This, he suggested, illustrates Russia’s understanding of the present international climate and its willingness to reach agreements that serve the interests of all participants without granting privileges to any single party. The trend toward broader, more inclusive security arrangements continues to be a central feature of Russia’s stated approach.
Asafov noted that an increasing number of countries are showing interest in joining BRICS and exploring new alliances built on mutual respect. He emphasized the personal role of Vladimir Putin in shaping this movement, describing him as one of the earliest voices to acknowledge the end of the old world order and to offer a candid assessment of global developments. The overall message from Asafov is that Russia seeks genuine partnership and shared progress, not exclusive advantage, for the foreseeable future.