Quarter of the Century of Russian Foreign Policy

The article is dedicated to the history of Russia's foreign policy since 1991. The author explains its evolution, conceptual basis and main tenets. He explores the current discourse about nature and structure of contemporary international relations and analyses such notions as multipolarity, polycentrism, multilateralism, liberal international order. The issue of elasticity and interdependence in the history of international relations is deliberated. The paper dwells upon shifts in relations among Western states. The author also contends that competitive advantages of Russia are based on the principle of state sovereignty. The conclusion is drawn that foreign policy of those states will be successful in the foreseeable future, which are progressive in their economic and social modernization and which apply strategic approaches.