UK Defence Ministry Expects Boost Of Russian Global Engagement In Upcoming Years - Report

LONDON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) The UK Defence Ministry said in a report that the Russian engagement in the wider international arena would increase in the upcoming years.

On Monday, the UK Defence Ministry issued the sixth edition of the Global Strategic Trends report, which is aimed at complementing the national defense strategy developed three years ago.

"Russian engagement in the wider international arena may also increase, particularly in the Arctic but also in the middle East and North Africa.� Power projection further afield may prove desirable and to enable it, Russia may seek to establish new relationships and develop bases," the report said.

From the UK Defence Ministry's point of view Russia will continue to seek the multipolar world order trying to reach equilibrium with the United States.

"It [Russia] is likely to continue to push for a multipolar world order with Russia as one of the leaders.

� It may seek to regain equilibrium with the United States (US) by reducing US global influence while increasing its own," the report said.

According to the document, Russia will use a number of tools including military power, soft power and propaganda in order to boost its global positions.

"Russian military ambition could be hindered by a lack of recruits.� In the next five years, the youth population will fall to less than 25 million and will continue to decline. This could limit traditional Russian aspirations for a one million person armed force," the report said.

The UK Defence Ministry also called potential domestic disorder caused by the economic situation in Russia as well as increasing terror threat as constraining factors for the rise of the Russian global engagement.