Soft Power à la Russe: Russia's Playbook of Resource Diplomacy in the Sahel, 2014-2025
(2026) ÖCKR07 20261Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology
- Abstract
- This thesis analyses the evolution of Russia’s influence in the Sahel between 2014 and 2025, focusing particularly on the intricate combination of narratives of soft power with practices of resource diplomacy to expand presence in the region. The analysis is guided by theoretical framework that draws on concepts from soft power theory and studies of Russian foreign policy, emphasising how narratives of sovereignty, anti-colonial solidarity and multipolarity function as instruments of international influence. Particular attention is given to Russia’s engagement in three Sahelian states - Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, where in the past decade political transitions and declining Western influence have created new and tempting opportunities... (More)
- This thesis analyses the evolution of Russia’s influence in the Sahel between 2014 and 2025, focusing particularly on the intricate combination of narratives of soft power with practices of resource diplomacy to expand presence in the region. The analysis is guided by theoretical framework that draws on concepts from soft power theory and studies of Russian foreign policy, emphasising how narratives of sovereignty, anti-colonial solidarity and multipolarity function as instruments of international influence. Particular attention is given to Russia’s engagement in three Sahelian states - Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, where in the past decade political transitions and declining Western influence have created new and tempting opportunities for external partnerships. Furthermore, the thesis argues that Russia’s strategic calculus within the continent has a complex and deeply intertwined ambition related to the former’s foreign policy objectives. In this context, the Sahel provides an important case for understanding how Russia adapts its toolbox of power beyond its traditional geopolitical sphere and positions itself as an alternative partner in an increasingly multipolar international order. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9240125
- author
- Delova, Yoana Georgieva LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- ÖCKR07 20261
- year
- 2026
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Russia, Sahel, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, soft power, resource diplomacy, foreign policy, natural resources
- language
- English
- id
- 9240125
- date added to LUP
- 2026-07-01 15:43:29
- date last changed
- 2026-07-01 15:43:29
@misc{9240125,
abstract = {{This thesis analyses the evolution of Russia’s influence in the Sahel between 2014 and 2025, focusing particularly on the intricate combination of narratives of soft power with practices of resource diplomacy to expand presence in the region. The analysis is guided by theoretical framework that draws on concepts from soft power theory and studies of Russian foreign policy, emphasising how narratives of sovereignty, anti-colonial solidarity and multipolarity function as instruments of international influence. Particular attention is given to Russia’s engagement in three Sahelian states - Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, where in the past decade political transitions and declining Western influence have created new and tempting opportunities for external partnerships. Furthermore, the thesis argues that Russia’s strategic calculus within the continent has a complex and deeply intertwined ambition related to the former’s foreign policy objectives. In this context, the Sahel provides an important case for understanding how Russia adapts its toolbox of power beyond its traditional geopolitical sphere and positions itself as an alternative partner in an increasingly multipolar international order.}},
author = {{Delova, Yoana Georgieva}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Soft Power à la Russe: Russia's Playbook of Resource Diplomacy in the Sahel, 2014-2025}},
year = {{2026}},
}