China News Service, Moscow, March 18th: Question: What will be Russia’s path after the election?

　　China News Service reporter Tian Bing

　　Late at night on the 17th local time, Putin came to the campaign headquarters near the Kremlin to thank the people for their support and trust.

He later stated at a press conference that he would continue to promote national development in the new term and do his best to achieve the set goals.

　　Data released by the Russian Central Election Commission in the early morning of the 18th showed that among the 95.08% of votes cast in Russia’s eighth presidential election, Putin received 87.32% of the votes and actually won the election.

　　The 17th is also the end day of one of Russia’s major traditional festivals, the “Winter Festival” (i.e., “Meat Lenten”).

After a week of carnival, people burn the scarecrows symbolizing winter to bid farewell to the long cold winter and welcome the arrival of spring.

　　For Russia, after the election and for a longer period in the future, the game between great powers has intensified, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been delayed and the "spillover effects" have continued to appear. Relations between Russia and the United States and the West have become worse, with little room for maneuver, and the importance of the "global South" has become highlighted. , how does Russia plan this "big game"?

Where is the spring in Russia?

　Plan development goals for the next six years

　　On February 29, Putin announced Russia’s economic development goals for the next six years in his State of the Union address.

By 2030, investment in scientific research will rise to 2% of gross domestic product (GDP), the share of high-tech products and services in the domestic market should increase by 50%, exports of non-raw materials and non-energy products should increase by at least two-thirds, and imports The proportion of GDP will be reduced to 17%, investment in key areas will increase by 70%, at least 100 more science and technology parks will be built, the proportion of the population affected by poverty will be reduced to less than 7%, etc.

　　In terms of science and technology development strategy, Putin proposed that China should possess key technologies in areas such as public health and food security, achieve technological independence in cross-cutting fields, and lead the world in the fields of aerospace, nuclear energy and new energy technologies.

He announced that five national projects would be launched - the "Family", "Longevity and Active Life", "Russian Youth", "Talent" and "Data Economy" programs.

　　Analysts believe that judging from the State of the Union Address, Russia's top leadership has made overall plans and arrangements for the country's development in the next six years in various fields such as economy, national defense, people's livelihood, culture, education, science and technology.

As Putin said, "This is a strong and sovereign country's confident outlook for the future."

　Foreign Policy Interpretation and Strategic Adjustment

　　Putin has repeatedly stated that the most important task for him is to strengthen national sovereignty.

He believes that Western countries not only contain Russia's development and try to defeat Russia strategically, but also want to turn Russia into a dependent, declining, and divided country.

Russia is willing to engage in dialogue with the United States on strategic stability, but Russia's security interests must be taken into consideration on strategic stability issues. He also questioned the hypocrisy of the United States.

The United States and the West must respect Russia's interests and not allow interference in internal affairs. It is "impossible" for the United States and the West to seek unilateral advantages.

　　Putin said that Russia will unite most countries in the world to jointly respond to global challenges, including the rapid transformation of the world economy, trade, finance and technology markets.

Russia is willing to cooperate with foreign countries on the basis of equality and respect for each other's interests.

　　Combined with the new version of the "Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation" announced in 2023, it is not difficult to see Russia's stance on the current major development trends and prospects in the world, as well as the adjustment of the national interests, strategic goals and priority directions of Russia's foreign policy.

　　Analysts believe that in the future, Russia will not actively seek direct conflict with the United States and the West, but will definitely defend its national sovereignty, security and development interests and seek strategic balance.

"Unity" and "confidence" have become key words

　　Just one day before the vote, Putin pointed out in a video speech, "You know what kind of difficult period the country is going through, and you know what serious challenges we face in almost all fields. In order to continue to deal with difficulties with dignity and successfully overcome them, we Unity and confidence are still needed.”

　　In fact, Putin has mentioned "unity" and "confidence" many times in public in recent years.

　　When he delivered the State of the Nation Address, he revealed that these action plans and specific measures were mainly formed based on direct dialogue with grassroots people from all walks of life during his inspections in various places, as well as suggestions made on large public platforms and expert forums.

“What people really want will definitely come out in these conversations.”

　　According to Russian media statistics, Putin inspected more than 20 federal subjects in 2023.

At the beginning of the new year of 2024, Putin arrived in the Chukotka Autonomous Region in the northeasternmost part of Russia to inspect work.

Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov said that this is Putin's first visit to the region as president. "Now it can be said that he (Putin) has traveled all over Russia."

　　Putin has mentioned on many occasions that the primary condition for Russia’s achievements and victory is the cohesion and unity of the people.

He believes that despite all-round sanctions from the West, the Russian economy still maintains growth and its national strength can still undertake large-scale construction projects; in order to make the country more efficient and modern, economic transformation is imperative.

"Russia will move forward further and become stronger, more powerful, and more efficient." (End)