Russia’s Foreign Policy Over the Past Three Decades: Change and Continuity

Abstract

From 1991 to 2021, Russia’s foreign policy has evolved through six stages: Pro-Western Diplomacy (1991–1995), Multipolar Diplomacy (1996–2000), Great Power Pragmatism (2001–2004), Neo-Slavism (2005–2008), Stability and Cooperation Diplomacy (2009–2013), and Great Power Diplomacy (2014–present). A combination of factors including changes in Russia’s domestic political and economic development, the vagaries of the international landscape as well as the diplomatic philosophy of Russian leaders has resulted in the changes of Russian foreign policy. Three diplomatic theories, i.e., Westernism, Eurasianism, and Slavism, have also had a significant impact on Russian foreign policy decisions. Over the past three decades, Russia’s foreign policy has been characterized by continuity in changes and its continuity is manifested in the pursuit of great power status, the emphasis on national security, the pursuit of international power, the utilization of international mechanisms, and the focus on economic diplomacy. For a long time to come, Russia will continue to pursue the Great Power Diplomacy.