Russian foreign policy in Central Asia: methods of soft and hard power

Abstract

Russia’s foreign policy in Central Asia from the point of view of soft and hard power concepts is considered. Foreign policy is an important element of the state apparatus, which is becoming increasingly important in a globalizing world. Integration at different levels requires the search for increasingly new and effective methods of foreign policy interaction. On the example of soft and hard power strategies, an analysis of the methods of Russia’s foreign policy in the Central Asian region is conducted. The article analyzes the possibility of searching for new models of cooperation. This region is selected based on historical features of the relationship both in the times of the USSR, and earlier. In addition, the countries of the region actively cooperate and interact in political, economic, energy, social, and other fields. All this causes the existence of the basis for the existence of mechanisms of soft, hard power in Russia, as one of the most interested party in participating in the processes taking place in the region. Thus, Russia uses the opportunities and advantages of spreading Russian as one of the main instruments of soft power. There is also a military political presence in the region within the framework of mutually cooperative relations. All this allows us to promote our foreign policy and to coordinate with other countries in this direction.