Russian Foreign Policy During the Reign of President Putin: Objectives and Means

Abstract

After the assumption of power by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2000, the value of Russian foreign policy goals increased from one stage to another, according to the capabilities and resources available in that time period, the first stage of Russian foreign policy, which began in 2000, had a number of goals, among the priorities of which were the search for Russian identity. As for the second phase, which began with the use of military force against Georgia in 2008, it also included several goals, and one of the priorities of those goals was to restore its international standing. Accordingly, Russian foreign policy has sought to achieve goals for both phases through the available means.