National security as one of basic factors in geopolitical positioning of the Russian Federation at the beginning of the 21st century

The paper examines the development of the national security policy and defense policy of the Russian Federation from 1992 until today. The definition of these matters in Russia, in the period after the dissolution of the USSR, was subject to the state authorities' awareness of the geopolitical reality, i.e. the acceptance or nonacceptance of the geopolitical analyses. Since 2000, Russia has been taking a more inclusive approach to the matters of national security due exactly to enhanced approach to the geopolitical role played or to be acquired by the Russian state on the Euro-Asian continent. The development and the implementation of the national security policy during the first decade of the 21st century made it possible for Russia to be successful not only in discontinuing the collapse of its territorial integrity but also to develop its national interests in an improved manner in the areas of defense, economy, international relations, integration within the Euro-Asian region, societal problems, information and environmental trends, and spiritual values. During 2009, the development of the Russian geopolitics led Russia into a new period of national security building through a new strategic document - the Russian National Security Strategy until 2020. The new strategy expands the national security areas, putting a special emphasis on the defense policy and building of the Russian Federation's armed forces.