Contemporary Realism and the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation

Abstract

This article refers to the Russian foreign policy seen from the perspective of the theory of contemporary realism. Its aim is to analyze the complex nature of the foreign activity of the Russian Federation against the background of the main theses of classical realism, neorealism and neoclassical realism. In this regard the article considers the explanatory ability of contemporary realism and its different streams. It defines a broad catalogue of international – systemic and internal political determinants of the foreign policy of Russia. The article notes the evolution of the Russian foreign activity after the end of the cold war as well as growing significance of neorealism and neoclassical realism as the explanatory tools in this respect. Yet the author's conclusion is that the foreign policy of Russia has still been deeply anchored in the classical realistic attitude to the international relations.