The Ideas and Practice of the Russian Foreign Policy

Following the collapse of the USSR, a former superpower, Russia found itself bereft of its once-dominant position. Nevertheless, under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, Russia has been striving to reclaim its lost grandeur as a great power. Empowered by Putin’s guidance, Russia has not only attained internal stability but also ventured into the global arena as a formidable player, especially with the surging energy prices. This era coincides with a period of frailty in the American hegemony, marked by events such as the declaration of the global war on terror, the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and the 2008 Financial Crisis. Russia’s ascendancy and the waning of American hegemony, along with the rise of other formidable powers like China and India, have popularized the notion that the international system is gearing towards multipolarity. The tangible manifestation of this premise manifested with the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine War, as Western nations engaged in an intense geopolitical rivalry with Russia, aiming for a multipolar order rather than the unipolar system that once dominated the international stage.

In the ever-changing landscape of international politics, Russia, under Putin’s leadership, has resurfaced as a determined actor seeking to reclaim its position as a major global power. To grasp the intricacies of Russia’s foreign policy, a closer examination is imperative. This work delves into the ideas shaping Russian diplomacy and sheds light on the practical strategies pursued by Putin’s administration to attain great power status. In pursuit of this goal, we scrutinize the ideologies of Westernization, Slavophilia, and Eurasianism that influence Russian decision-makers’ outlook on foreign affairs. By scrutinizing both thought currents and policy practices, this study aims to offer valuable insights into comprehending Russia’s complex foreign policy landscape.

While I take full responsibility for any oversight or errors that might have occurred during the course of this work, I sincerely hope that the outcome will be of value not only to general readers but also to those with an interest in Russian foreign policy and researchers exploring this field.

Prof. Dr. Metin Aksoy, Konya, Türkiye

Foreign policy analyses have long been preoccupied with understanding the motivations and actions of states on the international stage. The ultimate aim has been to interpret global developments through the lenses of decision-makers, state interests, and systemic factors, seeking to derive generalizable insights. Traditionally, these studies have explored how key actors, namely states, should behave in terms of their power, capabilities, and security.¹ However, the conclusion of the Cold War – a pivotal moment in international relations often characterized as a conjunctural shift – has set in motion a profound transformation in the essence of political and social actors and their interactions, subjects, and scales.²