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.