Russia’s International Energy Projects as a Tool of “Soft Power”

The article analyzes and systematizes Russia’s international energy initiatives in the context of their use as a mechanism of “soft power”. The purpose of the article is to identify promising vectors of Russian energy policy. To conduct the study, the authors applied historical and contextual methods. In the course of the work, Russian energy projects were grouped by geography, the context and specifics of the implementation of these projects were determined, and the Russian experience of interaction with partner countries within the framework of energy initiatives was analyzed. In the course of the study, the authors also identified the contradictions and mistakes of Russian energy initiatives, and identified the strategies of the companies conducting the projects. The events in the field of nuclear energy as one of the most promising areas of energy diplomacy of the Russian Federation are considered separately. As a result, potential directions for the development of the energy policy of the Russian Federation have been identified, taking into account the possible expansion of the sphere of interests. The authors conclude that in addition to the traditional oil and gas sector, it is necessary to consider other energy sectors, including renewable energy, nuclear and hydrogen technologies, as an implementation of the “soft power” concept.