Interplay of Religion and Stagecraft: Orthodox Christianity and Islam in Russian Foreign Policy

Authors

Askar Akimkhanov, Egyptian University of Islamic Culture Nur-MubarakFollow
Samet Okan
Karlygash Borbassova
Rysgul Ospanova

Author ORCID Identifier

Askar Akimkhanov:

 https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1835-0597

Samet Okan:

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7764-6577

 Karlygash Borbassova:

 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6013-6810

 Rysgul Ospanova: 

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6173-2286

Abstract

Religious factors have increasingly been acknowledged as significant components in the field of international relations, with scholars emphasizing the evolving paradigms involving religion and the rise of faith-based diplomacy. In the context of Russia, the intricate interplay between the state and both Christianity and Islam is particularly pertinent, given the nation’s multifaceted religious landscape. This paper explores the influence of religious elements in shaping the foreign policy of the Russian Federation. More specifically, it clarify the roles of the Russian Orthodox Church and Islam as pivotal components in the formation of Russia’s foreign policy strategies. Additionally, this study provides insights into the functioning of religious organizations as influential institutions within international relations and examines how specific religious entities contribute to the country’s foreign policy agenda. The research is grounded in qualitative methodologies, analyzing the religious influences embedded in Russia's foreign policy framework. The authors undertook a thorough review of relevant academic literature, official documents, legislative structures, and public statements from both political and religious leaders, utilizing sources in both English and Russian. The findings indicate that faith-based diplomacy, which integrates religious considerations into foreign policy, is primarily motivated by national interests and may include actors who do not adhere strictly to any particular faith.

Recommended Citation

Akimkhanov, Askar; Okan, Samet; Borbassova, Karlygash; and Ospanova, Rysgul (2026) "Interplay of Religion and Stagecraft: Orthodox Christianity and Islam in Russian Foreign Policy," Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe: Vol. 46 : Iss. 1 , Article 10.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55221/2693-2229.2711
Available at: https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/ree/vol46/iss1/10