RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF TOPOS AS A MECHANISM OF PERSUASION IN RUSSIAN ELECTORAL DISCOURSE

This article examines rhetorical argumentation in Russian pre-election discourse. Based on the presidential addresses delivered by Vladimir Putin to the Federal Assembly during the 2018 and 2024 electoral periods, the study identifies the role of topos as a mechanism that facilitates the interaction of ethos, pathos, and logos. It is demonstrated that topos, understood as a combination of external and internal components, contributes to the construction of an authoritative candidate image, evokes emotional responses from voters, and reinforces the logical coherence of political discourse.