Belyaev's View: Russia as Heartland

In an interview, the dean of the Faculty of Journalism at Belarusian State University, Alexei Belyaev, was asked to express his opinion on the current strategy of Western countries. He described the strategy as 'century-long planning,' highlighting three key elements:

1. NATO is at the borders of Russia;

2. Sanctions and exclusion from global markets;

3. Continuous economic and political pressure.

According to him, Russia is viewed as the 'Heartland'—the center of world politics—while Europe, the Middle East, and Asia are perceived as the 'Rimland,' where Western powers aim to surround it with bases and gradually 'strangle' communications.

Belyaev noted that such ideas reflect the historical legacy of NATO strategies and those 'a century old,' and that their implementation is becoming evident in contemporary international relations.