Fyodor Lukyanov, Research Director of the Valdai International Discussion Club, and moderator of the Oct. 5 dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the closing session of the Valdai meeting , began the Q&A session with Putin by stating: “Mr. President, thank you very much for such a detailed presentation of these general issues, conceptual issues. Indeed, many—at the Valdai Club and elsewhere—have been trying to comprehend the framework that will replace the one that no longer works, but so far, we have not been very successful. We know what is no longer there, but we don’t know what will come to replace it. I think the points you just made are the first attempt to at least clearly outline the principles.”
Lukyanov’s comment was on the mark. Although much of the media coverage of Putin’s Valdai presentation focused on his important comments restating Russia’s nuclear doctrine, his discussion of new weapons systems being put in place, and of the economic and political collapse of the trans-Atlantic world order, the weightier section of his opening remarks was dedicated to his vision of what the New Paradigm must look like. “The issue is much broader and more fundamental and is about the principles underlying the new international order,” Putin stated, and continued:
“Nobody should betray their civilization. This is the path towards universal chaos; it is unnatural and, I would say, disgusting. For our part, we have always tried and continue to try to offer solutions that consider the interests of all sides.… The civilizational approach confronts these trends because it is based on the fundamental, long-term interests of states and peoples, interests that are dictated not by the current ideological situation, but by the entire historical experience and legacy of the past, on which the idea of a harmonious future rests.
“If everyone were guided by this, there would be far fewer conflicts in the world, I believe, and the approaches to resolving them would become much more rational, because all civilizations would respect each other, as I said, and would not try to change anyone based on their own notions.”
Putin went on to present the understanding that needs to be achieved:
“First. We want to live in an open, interconnected world, where no one will ever try to put artificial barriers in the way of people’s communication, their creative fulfilment and prosperity. We need to strive to create an obstacle-free environment.
