Putin’s Foreign Policy Doctrine: Expansionism or Self-Defense?

Since taking power in 2000, Vladimir Putin has reshaped Russia's role on the world stage. His foreign policy has oscillated between cooperation with the West and confrontational assertiveness. From Georgia to Crimea to Ukraine, Putin's moves have sparked global debates. Is his strategy one of expansionism, seeking to rebuild the Soviet empire? Or is it rooted in self-defense, aimed at shielding Russia from NATO’s encroachment and Western influence?

This blog delves into the doctrine behind Putin’s foreign policy, unpacking the motivations, historical context, and global consequences of Russia’s international behavior under his rule.

The Historical Lens: Russia’s Past and Its Influence on Putin

To understand Putin’s foreign policy, one must look back at Russia’s imperial and Soviet past.

Key Historical Anchors:

• The Russian Empire (1721–1917): Russia expanded across Eurasia, becoming one of the largest empires in history.

• The Soviet Union (1922–1991): An ideological superpower that rivaled the West during the Cold War.

• The Post-Soviet Collapse: The 1991 fall of the USSR was labeled by Putin as the "greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century."

Putin’s Core Belief:

"Russia must be respected, feared, and unchallenged in its sphere of influence."

This historical narrative shapes his foreign policy — a desire not just to protect Russia’s borders, but to restore its rightful place in the global order.

The Expansionist Perspective

Critics of Putin argue that his foreign policy is aggressive, aimed at territorial expansion, undermining Western democracies, and reasserting dominance over former Soviet states.

1. Georgia – The First Signal (2008)

• Russia invaded Georgia under the pretext of protecting separatist regions: Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

• It marked the first military intervention in a former Soviet republic since the USSR’s collapse.

• Result: Russia recognized the two breakaway regions as independent states, asserting military and political control.
  

2. Annexation of Crimea (2014)

• In response to the Euromaidan revolution in Ukraine, Russia swiftly annexed Crimea.

• It held a controversial referendum under military occupation — 97% reportedly voted to join Russia.

• The annexation violated international law and drew widespread condemnation.
  

3. War in Eastern Ukraine and the 2022 Invasion

• Backed separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk since 2014.

• In 2022, launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, aiming to:

  • Prevent NATO expansion

  • "De-Nazify" and "demilitarize" Ukraine

  • Reintegrate Ukraine into the Russian sphere
    

4. Hybrid Warfare and Cyber Attacks

• Engages in disinformation campaigns, cyber warfare, and covert operations.

• Accused of interfering in Western elections (e.g., U.S. 2016, Brexit).

• Supports right-wing populist parties in Europe to fracture EU unity.

Conclusion from Critics:Putin isn’t defending — he’s rebuilding the empire.

The Self-Defense Perspective

Supporters — and some realists — argue that Putin’s actions are defensive in nature, driven by security concerns and survival instincts in a hostile international environment.

1. NATO Expansion

• Since 1999, NATO has expanded eastward, incorporating:

  • Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic

  • Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania)

  • Former Yugoslav countries

• Putin sees NATO as a military threat encroaching on Russia’s doorstep.

Quote from Putin (2007, Munich Security Conference):

“NATO expansion represents a serious provocation that reduces the level of mutual trust.”

2. Color Revolutions as Western Meddling

• The Rose Revolution (Georgia), Orange Revolution (Ukraine), and Tulip Revolution (Kyrgyzstan) are seen by Moscow as:

  • CIA-backed efforts to replace pro-Russia governments

  • Mechanisms to spread Western liberalism at Russia’s expense
    

3. Buffer Zones as Strategic Necessity

• Russia has historically sought buffer zones to protect its flat, vulnerable terrain.

• Maintaining influence over Belarus, Ukraine, and Central Asia is seen as essential to prevent foreign militaries from stationing near Russian territory.
  

4. Defense of Russian-speaking Populations

• Russia frames its interventions as protecting ethnic Russians or Russian speakers, especially in:

  • Eastern Ukraine

  • Transnistria (Moldova)

  • Northern Kazakhstan

• Similar to the “responsibility to protect” doctrine used by the West (e.g., Kosovo).

  
  

Putin’s Foreign Policy Doctrine: Key Principles

Putin’s foreign policy is neither random nor purely reactive. It follows a discernible set of strategic principles:

1. Sovereign Multipolarity

• Rejects U.S.-led unipolarity.

• Advocates a world with multiple centers of power — Russia, China, EU, U.S., India.

  
  

2. Near Abroad Dominance

• The “Near Abroad” refers to former Soviet states.

• Russia seeks dominant influence over this region — politically, economically, and militarily.

  
  

3. Hard Power Over Soft Power

• Emphasizes military strength, coercion, and energy leverage over diplomacy or cultural influence.

  
  

4. Energy as a Weapon

• Uses oil and gas pipelines (e.g., Nord Stream) as geopolitical tools.

• Manipulates supply and pricing to influence European policies.
  

Case Study: Syria – Global Reach or Regional Stabilizer?

Russia’s 2015 military intervention in Syria showcased Putin’s global ambitions:

• Supported Bashar al-Assad against rebels and ISIS.

• Secured long-term naval access to the Mediterranean (Tartus).

• Projected power in the Middle East, challenging U.S. dominance.

Western View:A bold power grab to secure military footholds and prove relevance.

Russian View:A legitimate intervention to combat terrorism and preserve state sovereignty.

How the West Perceives Putin

Western analysts and leaders vary in their views:

Expansionist View

• Putin wants to dismantle NATO, fracture the EU, and rewrite post-Cold War borders.

• Russia is an authoritarian threat to liberal democracies.
  

Realist View

• The West provoked Russia by ignoring its security concerns.

• Putin acts like any other great power — defending its sphere of influence.
  

Divided Policies

• The U.S. and EU have imposed sanctions, but internal divisions remain.

• Some European countries remain dependent on Russian energy, softening their stance.
  

Domestic Drivers of Putin’s Foreign Policy

1. Nationalism and Public Support

• Foreign victories boost Putin’s domestic approval.

• Crimea annexation led to a spike in popularity.
  

2. Distraction from Economic Issues

• Russia’s economy faces stagnation, sanctions, and corruption.

• Foreign policy diversions help consolidate power and suppress dissent.
  

3. Control Over the Narrative

• State media tightly controls public opinion.

• Western encirclement and existential threats are common narratives.
  

Criticism from Within

While Putin enjoys strong support, some Russian intellectuals and opposition leaders warn:

• Foreign adventures drain economic resources.

• Isolation from the West limits innovation and growth.

• Military expansion may lead to long-term quagmires (e.g., Ukraine war).
  

The Ukraine War: Tipping Point?

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 might be the defining chapter in Putin’s foreign policy.

Consequences So Far:

• Heavy military and civilian casualties

• Severe Western sanctions

• NATO expansion to include Finland and Sweden

• Growing anti-Russia sentiment globally

Putin has justified the invasion as a defensive move, yet many see it as the clearest example of expansionism.

Conclusion: Expansionist or Defensive?

Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy cannot be understood in simplistic terms. It contains elements of both expansionism and self-defense, depending on perspective and context.

Argument	Evidence
Expansionist	Invasions (Georgia, Ukraine), annexations (Crimea), proxy wars
Defensive	Reaction to NATO expansion, color revolutions, buffer zone strategy

Ultimately, Putin seeks strategic depth, regional dominance, and global recognition. Whether that path leads to conflict or cooperation will depend on how the world — and Russia — chooses to navigate the tensions of a shifting world order.

Final Thoughts

Putin’s doctrine is a reflection of history, geography, ideology, and ambition. It's rooted in both a fear of vulnerability and a desire for greatness. As the world becomes increasingly multipolar, understanding Russia's motives is crucial — not to justify aggression, but to shape informed, balanced, and effective policies.