Russia on the Modern World Stage

Russia on the Modern World Stage

Read about modern Russia in the world today—with energy, military, diplomatic, technology, and on alliances. Get a grasp on Russia's strategies, increasing partnerships, and changing global power dynamics.

About This Article

Russia lived at the center of global power in the former Soviet Union, and in 2025, it is again a major world power with the ongoing war against Ukraine. However, with sanctions, uprisings and protests, either economic or social unrest, and geopolitical counterweights to Russia's power, it is in both internal and external challenge with competing ideas that builds influence.

With Russia's energy exports alone, nuclear influence, military action, and drone capacity, plus their continued engagement in diplomacy and the Global South, Russia's world influence will be information in transition.

The goal of this article is to provide overview on contemporary Russia in world influence, methods, and implications of influence, allowing reader to understand and consider the implications of their influence for global order, economy, and security.

1. Energy Diplomacy: Oil, Gas, and Nuclear Power

One of the most significant sources of global influence for Russia is its involvement in the energy sector. Oil and natural gas have always been the centerpiece of Russia's partnerships, especially in Europe and former Soviet states.

Although some relationships have been weakened either by sanctions or supply disruptions, Russia is adapting its business model.

Natural gas pipelines and exports - Historically, Russia has accounted for large percentages of Europe's natural gas supply.

Nuclear power plant construction - In an effort to counteract some of the pressure caused by sanctions of oil and natural gas, Russia is promoting its nuclear industry abroad by building new reactors in Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Turkey, and Iran.

Energy partnerships with other non-Western powers - Russia is accelerating its collaboration with China, India, and the Middle East in energy trade, investment, and technolgies to reduce its reliance on Western markets.

Energy diplomacy brings Russia not only cash, but also strategic influence; states that are dependent on Russian energy generally have more diplomatic leniency with Russia.

2. Military Power and Defense Industry

Russia's global influence is also derived from its military capacity and the export of military weapons and equipment. Even amid sanctions and increased military attacks in Ukraine, Russia has both maintained and increased its military capabilities.

Military expenditure: Russia has significantly increased its military expense to historically high levels. Much of the government's spending is to cover security and military spending.

Military industrial production/export: Russia remains one of the biggest arms suppliers in the world. Although Russia's percentage of world arms exports has decreased over time, it continues to supply many countries, especially in Asia and Africa.

Hybrid warfare/proxy relationships: Besides direct military operations, Russia also exploits hybrid operations such as cyber operations, disinformation, private military companies, and regional proxies. These weapons of hybrid warfare are important to extend Russian influence without engaging in formal war.

This military and coercive influence enables Russia to protect its interests, project power into contested regions (e.g. Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia), and make itself a player in global security discussions.

3. Diplomatic strategy & Global Alliances

Modern Russia purses alliances and diplomatic arrangements, which give the impression of counteracting Western influence. Some of these tactics are outdated and some are newer, and all are part of Russia's efforts to maintain power in a multipolar world.

BRICS/SCO/Eurasian integration - Russia salutes and deepens multilateral organization made up of non-Western statess. These platforms, with their members interested in economic, diplomatic, and even military relations (not to mention economic integration) allow Russia to have partners beyond Europe/North America.

The Primakov Doctrine and Eurasianism: Ideological frameworks such as the Primakov doctrine emphasize a multipolar world and priority strategic partnerships with China, India, and other Eurasian states. Likewise, Eurasianism contributes to defining Russia’s self-image and foreign policy orientation.

Engagement with the Global South and Africa: Russia is developing influence in Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia through arms sales, infrastructure projects, security cooperation, and diplomacy.

In these ties, Russia is not only establishing new partners but seeks to establish a network of seating states that are less dependent on Western finances and markets.

4. Information Warfare & Soft Power

Modern influence is beyond just guns and pipelines; communications, propaganda, culture, and digital reach are important modern connections.

Media and disinformation: State-supported media outlets, social media, and disinformation networks are all preliminary modern acts to shape narratives in foreign lands, impact foreign elections, and undermine Western viewpoints.

Cultural ties: Russia is able to enact cultural diplomacy through— language, and Russian authors, artists, and authors alike—for ways to keep exerting influence, particularly amongst the former Soviet space and diaspora populations

Tech & cyber operations: While Russia has become less important in consumer technology space globally, it has important cyber capabilities, both in offensive and defensive capabilities. Cyber operations, digital espionage, and protecting its networks from foreign interference or attack, are all parts of its technology power defend.

of Ukraine.

Russia strengthens its influence in the near abroad using both soft power and coercion. Take Belarus, for example, and political elite ties to Moscow in return for economic support.

Many of these states have been split between West and Russian alignment: this dual influence creates an understanding of Russian hegemonic power outward. Neutral states are ambassadors of the Russian phenomenon.

Increasing influence in the Arctic: Russia's strength lies in military and scientific research, both of which push into the Arctic and the Northern Sea Route.

Promoting security in emerging multipolarity, dominated by the West, consolidates Russia's image of power as a regional leader, especially in the North.

Colleagues around the world will comment on the importance of Russian hard and soft military power in the Arctic for advancing its interests. This sentiment is reaffirmed through R&D and scientific studies in civilian and military contexts.

Arctic ambitions. The Northern Sea Route, abundant natural resources (including oil, natural gas and minerals) and increased access due to climate change make the Arctic region a zone of strategic importance. Russia has made large investments in infrastructure and icebreaker fleet to affirm its role there.

Regional influence affords Russia strategic depth - it presents the contours of its border as well as access to important resources, helps protect regional interests, and promotes economic development.

7. Technology, AI, and Innovation.

Russia has a strong legacy in science and engineering. However, in recent years, its status is mixed - good regional successes but considerably higher constraints.

Russia has been collaborating with BRICS members to create alliances in AI and promote domestic AI skill development.

However, at the same time, the sanctions, brain drain of skill workers, and isolation has hampered their ability to effectively compete in consumer technology in the global market.

The military use of technology (drones, weapon systems and surveillance) remains vital to Russia's innovativeness, as this generally remains one area of technology where innovation persists.

Advances in tech and innovation are critical to Russia's future level of influence if it can overcome the limitations to R&D capacity and regain some level of competitiveness.

8. Geopolitical Strategies and Multipolarity

Russia's strategy increasingly involves pushing global power away from a unipolar world led by Western institutions (US, EU) to a multipolar world with multiple centers of power.

The Primakov Doctrine shows a long- to medium-term time horizon, as Russia continues to oppose a single-power order, but aims to strengthen ties with China, India, and others.

And in often civilizational terms (Eurasian identity), Moscow lends legitimacy and alternatives to the narrative.

In other words, the multipolarity helps a large power like Russia to find partners, to reduce its own isolation, and remain relevant in global events.

9. Softening Foreign Relations Through Trade

Despite heightened tensions, trade is still a powerful way that Russia maintains its influence and builds resilience.

Russia is seeking out markets in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa for its energy, agricultural and industrial products. These relationships also allow Russia to work around some western sanctions.

We can see foreign direct investment (FDI) ambitions targeted from friendly countries; further, Russia is seeking more self-sufficiency in these and other sectors.

With trade, Russia can show that it is still an economic partner and stabilize its own economy by finding these markets.

10. Challenges & Future Outlook

While modern Russia continues to hold a significant and considerable impact, it also presents serious challenges in the next decade.

Challenges:

Economic sanctions, inflation, and reduced access to advanced technologies.

Internal issues: continuous political oppression, population decrease, infrastructure concerns.

International competition from rising powers, especially in advanced technologies and green energy.

Environmental pressures, particularly in the Arctic region and energy projects.

Things to Look Out For:

How Russia adapts to sanction-based regimes and finds new forms of partnership.

How upward developments in technology innovation (especially writing and language-based AI), will develop given existing constraints.

Whether Russia's military module and energy connections heighten with non-Western powers.

How resident stability and growth of infrastructure will be managed in regions with harsh climates.

Conclusion

Modern Russia's influence around the world is one of adaptation. Even amongst challenging circumstances, modern Russia continues to use energy exports, military coercion, diplomacy, alliances, and strategic messaging to be relevant in global affairs.

As suggested in previous sections, modern Russia's influence is not as broad in domains as it was historically, although it remains influential.

Considering the global world, it is significant to understand Russia's recent maneuvers in predicting conflict, global economies and global geopolitics for states outside of Russia.

In any capacity (e.g., student, policy-maker, observer of international relations), current events with Russia's power in the world will impart some lessons of power, persistence and continuity to all of us.