Authors

Discussion

What kind of power is Russia? This enduring question regarding how other actors perceive Russia has led to its categorization as a ‘dissatisfied,’ ‘revisionist,’ or ‘reformist’ power. However, it is equally important to investigate how Russia presents itself to the public. Amidst the coronavirus crisis, Russia has portrayed itself as a responsible power by providing humanitarian assistance and even cooperating with the USA, often perceived as its adversary. During the war in Ukraine, Russia has framed itself as a dissatisfied power compelled to engage in a defensive war. Amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict, it has presented itself as a power that respects international law. This study examines Russian official foreign policy discourse across these three case studies by employing framing analysis to identify the dominant frames Russia uses for its self-representation. The findings demonstrate how Russia’s foreign policy framing reflects its status-seeking behaviour in a highly competitive international environment and at the same time its efforts to avoid international isolation.