Russia’s unique approach as a (re) emerging donor

The end of the Cold War transformed international relations and the geopolitical system. In the wake of the Soviet Union’s downfall, Russia became the de facto successor state to one of the most influential nations of the twentieth century. After holding superpower status for decades, the collapse of the Soviet Union downgraded Russia’s prominence to that of a regional power with few friends and numerous enemies. For the first time in its modern history, Moscow did not influence the global politics that affected the country’s future. This presented both an opportunity and a significant challenge for Russia as a reinvented international actor. After the fall of the USSR, Russia faced a protracted economic and social crisis, worsened by a series of military conflicts in the middle of the last century. Yet, it nevertheless became integrated into major global governance processes, particularly through its distinct contributions to humanitarian action and peacekeeping, which were aimed at improving Russia’s image both externally and internally, while serving its fundamental national interests.