INTERPLAY OF RELIGION AND STATECRAFT: ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM IN RUSSIAN FOREIGN POLICY

Okan S. Akimkhanov A. Borbassova K. Ospanova R.
2026 George Fox University Murdock Learning Resource Center

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe
2026 #46 Issue 1 163 - 179 pp.

Religious factors have increasingly been acknowledged as significant components in the field of international relations, with scholars emphasizing the evolving paradigms involving religion and the rise of faith-based diplomacy. In the context of Russia, the intricate interplay between the state and both Christianity and Islam is particularly pertinent, given the nation’s multifaceted religious landscape. This paper explores the influence of religious elements in shaping the foreign policy of the Russian Federation. More specifically, it clarify the roles of the Russian Orthodox Church and Islam as pivotal components in the formation of Russia’s foreign policy strategies. Additionally, this study provides insights into the functioning of religious organizations as influential institutions within international relations and examines how specific religious entities contribute to the country’s foreign policy agenda. The research is grounded in qualitative methodologies, analyzing the religious influences embedded in Russias foreign policy framework. The authors undertook a thorough review of relevant academic literature, official documents, legislative structures, and public statements from both political and religious leaders, utilizing sources in both English and Russian. The findings indicate that faith-based diplomacy, which integrates religious considerations into foreign policy, is primarily motivated by national interests and may include actors who do not adhere strictly to any particular faith.

Faith-Based Diplomacy , Foreign Policy , Islam , Orthodox Church , Russia

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Egyptian University of Islamic Culture Nur-Mubarak, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Abay Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Egyptian University of Islamic Culture Nur-Mubarak
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
Abay Kazakh National Pedagogical University

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Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026