[Derp4CP] The Russian Relationship

Day 3,145, 10:10 • Published in USA USA • by Derphoof


Over my time in eRepublik, I’ve held many positions in this game. I outlined them in my attempt to run for president last month. Out of all of the things I’ve done, my favorite position has been as Secretary of State.

Sure, whipping people as CoS is interesting. Being a chief advisor as VP is a nice thing. Being Speaker, and managing the madness can be a trip all it’s own. However, Secretary of State is largely a job that can make or break a presidency and can have a large impact on following administrations. It’s important, and most of all, it’s fun.

It’s fun to sit on IRC, or PM groups, or Skype groups, chatting back and forth with allies and sometimes enemies, building rapports with citizens and officials from all over the world. Sure, it meant I would need to wake up in the dead of night for a meeting, or sit in on 4-hour alliance meeting marathons, but it was all worth it. It was a fun time, and it's a necessity for our nation.

This month, I’ve observed our struggles in the foreign affairs department.

The state department, acting on behalf of the president, supports removing Russia from our MPP list. Department officials then essentially tell Congress that Russia hasn’t been the best ally and that they don’t approve of an MPP. Congress then removes Russia from the approved list and later votes down the MPP. After Russians get upset and put out articles in the media, Yui then backtracks and claims “we made a big mistake.” He sends the MPP back to Congress, which then disapproves once more, as he did not give a compelling reason to re-sign the MPP.

This all essentially made for quite the show as it unfolded, but reflected poorly on the the United States, and the administration, in the international community.

The US seemed to be ditching it’s old ally, and equivalent founding member in the alliance, without much of an official explanation, and only a couple days after celebrating the success of Pacifica and the Russian-American relationship in the WHPR.

In short, it was a disaster.



I have worked with the Russians over the years in my capacity in the State Department and in other positions. They are a lovely people who have proven themselves to be a very loyal ally over the years. It is a nostalgic friendship that I enjoy, dating back to my memory of the Bear and Eagle Agreement of the Cerb presidency.

However, I do believe that we have made the right choice, at this time.

In the past, the United States has had its foreign policy differences with Moscow. For instance, it frustrated the State Department that Russia insisted on it’s MPP with FYROM, despite US opposition and military engagements with the nation. However, we were usually on the offense during those conflicts. Russia would simply sit on the sidelines and sometimes drop the MPP before the war, just to pick it up later. While not ideal, we voiced our opposition but made due, as we were not under threat.

However, when Bulgaria comes knocking at our doorstep, with FYROM in tow, we expect that to be a different situation. Alliances are built on assurances of mutual defense. Being the two founding members of the alliance, I do believe that we should do the most that we can to assure the security of each other’s nations, as well as that of other members in the alliance.

However, Russia failed that test, when it came around to pass.

Russia was asked multiple times to come to our aid directly, opening a new front in the war. However, they refused to do so, citing their relationship with Bulgaria. Indeed, many of Russia’s citizens decided to come to the aid of Bulgaria in their assault on our nation. They valued the relationship with Bulgaria over the security of their alliance partner.

I found this to be unacceptable, and still do. No matter what nation was attacking Russia, I believe our Congress and President would have done everything possible to stop any assault on our old ally. I expected the same of Russia, only to be let down immensely.

The fact that they re-signed the MPP with Bulgaria after the war was just another insult to our nation.

Therefore, I do not believe that it was a big mistake to drop the MPP. It was the correct reaction to the harsh reality that Russia simply doesn’t value our historical bond and friendship like they used to. They just don’t.



So what do we do?

I do not propose trying to remove Russia from Pacifica by any means. Alliance partners in real life do not always see eye to eye, but try to resolve differences and help whenever possible. We are alliance partners and I hope that we can continue working and coordinating together.

The Russian-American relationship is a vital relationship for our two nations, and a model relationship for all nations to consider.

In my administration, there will be clear messaging and narrative throughout the media over the course of the term. There will be no confusion, and I will put forward the strong leadership and argumentation required to convince legislators of passing my agenda, both in congress and in the media, whenever possible. I will be proactive in my leadership, as opposed to reactive. I will not sit back and watch a vote happen, only to react to the results afterwards. Our foreign policy will be made clear.

I will pursue a positive and productive relationship with the Russian government, and hope to rebuild the bridges that have collapsed in recent past. We will continue to work with the Russians to ensure the security of the members of Pacifica. Just as well, I will work to ensure that the United States helps Russia in all possible capacities, if they are attacked.

If possible, and if our differences can be resolved, I would like to reinstate our MPP with Russia. However, this would require for Russia to have acknowledged our concerns and reacted to them in a way befitting of a major trustworthy ally.

To facilitate this, as to help smooth over Russia-US relations, I will be appointing Khotko to be our special envoy to the Russian Federation. He is the 5x CP of Russia who has worked closely with both of our nations in the past. Just as well, I will be moving Wild Owl to an active advisory position and putting Resoula in charge of the State Department as our chief diplomat. He has been a deputy for the department and worked as the Vice President this month. I believe him to be a sound and effective steward of our foreign policy and I can count on him to execute the policy of the administration to the fullest capacity of his office.

In a Derphoof administration, strong and proactive leadership, as well as effective communication, will be paramount. We will make it through these turbulent times stronger and better equipped for the future than before. We will keep Pacifica strong, helping to realize the potential and destiny of both our alliance and our nation.

Join me as we fulfill that potential, for our destiny is greatness. I will accept nothing less.