p With the triumph of the socialist revolution in Russia, the major class contradiction of the 20th century—that between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie—was extended to international relations. The revolution marked an essential change in the system of international relations of the imperialist epoch. From the outset, Lenin had stressed that “foreign policy and international relations have been the main questions facing us".  [242•1 

The Soviet Union’s role in world affairs has been constantly growing, as is apparent from the changing balance of strength between the two systems in favour of socialism, from the shifts in international relations, from the establishment and promotion of fraternal co-operation within the socialist community, from the establishment of an alliance between world socialism and the young African and Asian states fighting imperialism, and from the struggle of all peaceloving forces for a relaxation of international tension, and peaceful coexistence between states with differing social systems.