Russian Soft Power in Turkey

Recent academic research on Russian soft power has primarily focused on its influence within the post-Soviet space, highlighting efforts to maintain regional dominance. However, in a shifting global landscape—marked by the relative decline of Western hegemony and growing scepticism toward liberal norms—Russia's soft power has expanded globally. This study fills a key gap by exploring how post-Soviet Russia’s image has evolved in Turkey, a country outside Russia’s traditional sphere of influence. Drawing on empirical data and in-depth interviews, the study situates Russian soft power within the broader discourse of multipolarity and frames it as an alternative to the Western-led liberal international order. In Turkey, where authoritarian tendencies and tensions with the West persist, Russia’s narrative finds a receptive audience. The transformation of Turkish-Russian relations—from historic animosity to strategic cooperation—alongside increasingly positive perceptions of Russia illustrates this shift. However, despite these gains, Russian soft power faces significant limitations: assertive foreign policy, entanglement in regional conflicts, instrumental use of soft power, disregard for local dynamics, and lack of strategic coherence. This research critically examines these complexities, offering a nuanced understanding of Russian soft power’s reach and limitations in Turkey, and contributing to broader discussions on global power reconfigurations.