it should be the same for all countries." The interview was conducted by Lieutenant Colonel Oleg SKIRA

Ivashov Leonid Grigoryevich - Head of the Main Directorate of International Military Cooperation of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation since October 1996, Colonel General. Born on August 31, 1943.

He graduated from the Tashkent Combined Arms Command School in 1964. He graduated from the Frunze Military Academy in 1974, and he is a Doctor of Historical Sciences, a professor, and a specialist in geopolitics.

While serving in the military, he rose to the position of deputy commander of a motorized rifle regiment. Since 1976, he has been working in the central office of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR, and from 1992 to 1996, he served as Secretary of the Council of Ministers of Defense of the CIS member states. He has received government awards from the USSR, Russia, Yugoslavia, Syria, and other countries.

He is the author of several books, publishes in periodicals, writes poetry and songs, and is a member of the Union of Writers of the USSR and Russia.

He is married and has a daughter. He enjoys fishing and spending time outdoors.

Officers and generals of this command can be seen at negotiations of various ranks, where issues of military security or arms control are discussed. Although their "front" is far from the battlefields, in offices and at official receptions, the victories of the former "ten" officers are akin to the success of large-scale operations. These victories are achieved in the international arena and focus on strengthening Russia's defense capabilities and military security.

Colonel General Leonid IVASHOV, Head of the Main Directorate for International Military Cooperation, talks about the activities of the Directorate.

- Leonid Grigoryevich, before we start talking about the Main Directorate for International Military Cooperation that you head, I would like to know what the main areas of international activity of the Russian Ministry of Defense are today. What is the role and place of the Main Directorate for International Military Cooperation in their implementation?

- Today, the military and political situation in the world is characterized by a dynamic transformation of the system of international relations. After the end of the era of bipolar confrontation, two mutually exclusive trends emerged. One is aimed at the formation of a multipolar world, while the other is expressed in attempts to assert the dominance of one country or a group of countries in global affairs.

Russia adheres to trends that contribute to the formation of a multipolar world. The United States and developed Western countries are building their international relations on a unilateral, including military-force, approach to solving key global political issues, bypassing the fundamental norms of international law.

In this regard, the United States and a number of other countries are intensifying their efforts to weaken Russia's political, economic, and military positions. However, our country continues to play an important role in global affairs due to its significant economic, scientific, and military capabilities.

In the new system of international relations, Russia's priority is to restore close economic and political integration among the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States and strengthen their positions in the world.

Relations with "far-abroad" countries have created the preconditions for building interstate relations based on strict adherence to international law.

Today, Russia's ability to ensure international security through non-military means is significantly expanding through the activation of legal, military-political, and other instruments, as well as military and military-technical cooperation.

The Main Directorate is responsible for organizing military and military-technical cooperation with foreign countries within the Ministry of Defense, as well as for supporting and conducting negotiations on military security, arms control, and confidence-building measures.

We carry out this task in close cooperation with state authorities, the Armed Forces, the main and central departments of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff, as well as other law enforcement agencies of the country, in accordance with the current legal regulations.

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This activity is regulated by the decisions of the Russian Minister of Defense, the Concept of International Military Cooperation, and annual plans for military contacts.

- If possible, please tell us about the structure of the General Directorate. What are the main goals and objectives of its subdivisions?

- Our department consists of the departments of international treaty-based and military-technical cooperation, military cooperation with the CIS member states, sending specialists to foreign countries, and training foreign military personnel, as well as the departments that ensure the implementation of tasks related to the main purpose, such as the financial and economic department, the information and analytical center, and the technical support department.

The very name of the units reflects the range of tasks they have to solve. In addition, there are units of our Main Directorate in a number of foreign countries, and there are military observer missions in conflict-prone areas of the world.

- In March of next year, the Main Directorate for International Military Cooperation will celebrate its 50th anniversary. What was the Directorate like when it was first established? What do the current Directorate and the former "top ten" have in common, and what are their differences?

- The history of the Main Directorate of Internal Affairs dates back to the creation of the 10th Directorate of the General Staff, which was established as an independent organization. At that time, the "10th Directorate" (a name that stuck for many years) employed 34 people.

In 1955, with the emergence of the Warsaw Pact, the 10th Directorate of the General Staff was reorganized into the Headquarters of the United Armed Forces and the 10th Main Directorate of the General Staff. At that time, the leadership of the "10th" was entrusted to General of the Army A. I. Antonov.

In 1966, the organization was divided into two independent entities: the 10th Main Directorate of the General Staff and the Soviet part of the OVS Headquarters.

With the establishment of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation in July 1992, the 10th Main Directorate of the General Staff was transformed into the Main Directorate for International Military Cooperation.

Even by changing the name of an organization, you can tell what its objectives are.

During the Soviet years, the main focus was on relations with the Warsaw Pact countries and developing countries in Asia and Africa. Currently, the main issues are related to military integration and the creation of an international legal framework for cooperation with the CIS countries, arms control and military forces in Europe, contacts with NATO, military-technical cooperation with all countries interested in relations with Russia, and the limitation of strategic offensive weapons.

- Leonid Grigoryevich, what are these tasks and the main areas of cooperation with the CIS states, including the prevention of possible aggression and military pressure from outside? What has been done recently to enhance the military security of the Commonwealth?

- Our Main Directorate considers the following to be priority areas of cooperation with the CIS member states in the military field:

- strengthening and bringing together, within the framework of the adapted Collective Security Treaty (CST), the core of states that are ready for a higher degree of military integration, and the systematic formation of a collective security system;

- participation in the improvement of the joint air defense system of the CIS member states (JAS), forms and methods of joint operational and combat training;

- completion, together with the relevant federal executive authorities, of the formation of a conceptual framework for military-technical cooperation with the CIS and CSTO member states;

- improving the legal framework for the Russian military presence in the CIS member states;

- development of a system for operational management of peacekeeping activities.

On May 15, 1992, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) was signed to prevent possible aggression and military pressure from outside the Commonwealth states. It serves as the legal basis for ensuring the national security of the participating states.

Following the signing of the Protocol on the Extension of the Collective Security Treaty on April 2, 1999, a Working Group of representatives from the CST member states prepared a draft Memorandum on enhancing the effectiveness of the Collective Security Treaty and adapting it to the current geopolitical situation.

The Memorandum is aimed at implementing the provisions of the Treaty, primarily in terms of establishing regional security systems, exchanging information, and improving the efficiency of interstate bodies. This is especially relevant today, when new security threats have emerged, such as international terrorism and religious extremism.

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NATO's operation in the Balkans last year highlighted the need for reliable air defense in the CIS.

Therefore, a unified air defense system has been created within the framework of the Commonwealth, and its development is being carried out in stages. Automatic exchange of information about the air situation has been organized with a number of CIS countries, a system of joint combat duty of air defense forces and means has been created, and assistance is being provided in the restoration and improvement of the national air defense systems of the CIS member states according to a unified plan.

It has become a tradition to hold annual exercises with live fire at the Ashuluk training ground in Russia, involving the air defense forces of the member states of the Agreement on the Creation of a Unified Air Defense System for the CIS Member States, under the symbolic name "Combat Commonwealth". The exercises are aimed at improving the combat readiness of air defense units and formations in carrying out joint combat duty to protect airspace and enhancing the interaction of air defense forces and assets of the member states of the Commonwealth.

Due to the intensification of international terrorism, the CIS countries have increased their cooperation in the fight against this evil. A decision has been made to establish an anti-terrorism center, and two large-scale command-and-staff exercises with live fire, "The Southern Shield of the Commonwealth," have been conducted.

- It is no secret that the department you are in charge of is doing a lot of work in the field of military-technical cooperation. Please tell us about its main tasks, goals, principles, and results.

- The main goal of military-technical cooperation is to strengthen the military and political positions of the Russian Federation in various regions of the world. In addition, the goals of cooperation include obtaining foreign currency for state needs, maintaining our defense industry, and modernizing the weapons and military equipment used by the Russian army.

Among the principles of military-technical cooperation with foreign countries, the priority of the Russian Federation's interests and strict adherence to its international obligations are of utmost importance. The fundamental principles also include the state monopoly on military-technical cooperation activities and the prohibition of any damage to Russia's defense capabilities and security.

In the context of the country's industrial crisis, the economic component of military-technical cooperation is taking center stage.

In this regard, the Ministry of Defense's activities involve the implementation of the right to supply foreign customers (through state intermediaries) with weapons and military equipment that are being released as a result of military reform, as well as the training of foreign military personnel and specialists. This task is highly relevant today, as it significantly compensates for the insufficient budgetary funding for the Armed Forces. The Russian Ministry of Defense has successfully addressed this challenge. Compared to 1997, the amount of extrabudgetary funds received from foreign customers in 1998 and 1999 has increased by more than two times.

- The 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty has been in effect for almost three decades. However, the United States is not fully complying with its provisions, attempting to exceed the established limits under various pretexts. What is the role of the Main Directorate in the development and monitoring of the START, ABM, and related agreements? What has been done in recent years to maintain the trend towards reducing various types of weapons of mass destruction and to limit their spread around the world?

- The international activities of our department in the field of developing and monitoring the implementation of START and ABM treaties are aimed at strengthening the security of the Russian Federation and strategic stability in the world. Currently, when preparing agreements on START and ABM, we proceed from the fact that further increases in nuclear weapons do not add much to the existing deterrent capabilities. Moreover, it has become clear that deterrence can be just as effective with significantly lower levels of strategic weapons, and that a lower level of strategic confrontation can only be achieved through a shared understanding of the principles of strategic stability, jointly developed parameters, and negotiations.

As for countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, it should be based primarily on the strict implementation of relevant international agreements. The 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, combined with the IAEA's verification mechanism, is the cornerstone. It is complemented by agreements on the establishment of nuclear-free zones in various regions of the world. The aforementioned conventions on the prohibition of chemical and biological weapons provide a reliable barrier against the proliferation of these types of weapons. The Missile Technology Control Regime is aimed at countering the proliferation of WMD delivery systems. The Wassenaar Arrangements play a special role in the area of dual-use goods and technologies. It should be noted that Russia is an active participant in all of the above-mentioned non-proliferation regimes precisely because of its consistent efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. In accordance with their requirements, Russia is taking and constantly improving measures to control the export of dual-use goods, technologies, and services, and is working to bring the Russian legislation into compliance with international standards.

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legislation in accordance with international norms.

- What role does the Main Directorate play in relations with the UN and other international organizations, in terms of the participation of Russian military observers and military contingents in peacekeeping operations?

- The Main Directorate for International Military Cooperation pays significant attention to these issues. After all, peacekeeping operations are designed to support the diplomatic efforts of the international community in the political settlement of armed conflicts.

After the Cold War tensions eased, peace is once again under threat. Conflicts break out in many regions. Therefore, in recent years, the number of peacekeeping operations has increased dramatically and the complexity of their tasks has increased. Traditional principles of peacekeeping have given way to complex, integrated operations that require a combination of political, military and humanitarian actions.

UN-sponsored military exercises have been held since 1948. Over 750,000 military personnel and security forces from around the world have participated in these exercises.

Russia's practical participation in the POM began in October 1973, when the first group of UN military observers was sent to the Middle East.

Since 1991, Russia's participation in these operations has intensified. In April, after the end of the Gulf War, a group of Russian military observers (RVO) was sent to the Iraqi-Kuwaiti border, and in September, to Western Sahara.

At the stage of preparing Russia's participation in these missions, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, federal executive authorities, and relevant agencies, we not only thoroughly address the issues of our presence in the territories of sovereign states, but also analyze the possible political and economic consequences of such participation.

For many years, cooperation between military observers and representatives of other countries was limited due to ideological and political factors. However, these barriers have now been removed, which has had a positive impact on the observers' activities.

The practice of Russian participation in UN missions has shown that our officers are in many ways superior to their foreign colleagues in terms of their level of professional training, their moral and psychological state, and their ability to make the most appropriate decisions in extreme situations. This is confirmed by the mission leaders, who appoint Russian military personnel to higher positions.

As of the beginning of 2000, Russian UN military observers were serving in eight UN missions (Palestine, Western Sahara, Prevlak Peninsula, Georgia, Iraq-Kuwait, Sierra Leone, East Timor, and Congo).

- Today, we see that as a result of radical changes in the military and political situation in Europe, there is a need to build a new model of common and comprehensive security based on the equality of rights and obligations of all European states. What is the essence of Russia's proposals for shaping a model of European security in the 21st century, and how do they differ from the proposals of NATO countries? What is the role of governance in defending Russia's positions in international forums?

- Russia's position is to create a new security system in Europe based on the OSCE, which should play the role of a center that coordinates the efforts of European states and major regional institutions. We advocate for a model of European security where European countries determine the course of pan-European processes, prevent armed conflicts, and resolve them if they occur, prioritizing peaceful means. The philosophy of European security should not be NATO-centric. NATO can be one of the institutions of European security if their military bloc is transformed into a political and military structure.

The West's approach to this issue is different. It believes that NATO is the only guarantor of security in Europe, and a new model of European security should be based on the alliance.

In the Western version of building a new security architecture based on NATO, the main principle of equal security for all European states, regardless of their political and economic weight, military power, and membership in military alliances, is violated. This option is unacceptable to us. NATO cannot be the power base of the new model, especially after the act of aggression against sovereign Yugoslavia.

Security in Europe in the new millennium must be the same for all states - this is our fundamental principle.

Representatives of the Main Directorate for International Military Cooperation defend Russia's positions at various international forums, providing arguments and clarifying our approaches on a wide range of issues. The Russian Federation has introduced a number of new peace initiatives on confidence- and security-building measures, including the updated Vienna Document, the CFE Treaty, and other international acts.

The work of our employees is highly appreciated by the leadership of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. Since 1998, more than 40 people have been awarded orders of the Russian Federation, and more than 150 people have been awarded medals. For their international assistance, Major General Druzhinin A. I. and Colonel Kshimovsky A. A. have been awarded three military awards, and Major General Zavadenko E. V. has been awarded two.

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