The quest for status: how the interplay of power, ideas, and regime security shapes Russia’s policy in the post-Soviet space

The aim of this article is to analyze how power, ideas, and domestic factors contribute to Russia’s goal of status recognition. The article focuses in particular on Moscow’s policies and actions in the post-Soviet area. Toward this end, it looks at recent developments in Russia’s policy toward Ukraine, including the developments leading to the annexation of Crimea and events after the signing of the Minsk II agreement. Relatedly, it also addresses the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union. Finally, it looks at Moscow’s policy toward Georgia since the 2008 war. In short, the article seeks to understand how Russia’s status ambitions—underpinned by power politics, ideas, and domestic factors—shape its foreign policy behavior in the post-Soviet area.