The main topic of the bachelor thesis is the role of soft power in Russian policy towards Ukraine. Based on the theory of soft power, the thesis aims to identify and demonstrate the elements of this component of power in the case of Russia's actions towards Ukraine. This bachelor thesis is divided into two parts. The first part introduces the theory of soft power, which forms the theoretical framework of the whole thesis. Three primary sources of soft power are identified: culture, politica... show full abstractThe main topic of the bachelor thesis is the role of soft power in Russian policy towards Ukraine. Based on the theory of soft power, the thesis aims to identify and demonstrate the elements of this component of power in the case of Russia's actions towards Ukraine. This bachelor thesis is divided into two parts. The first part introduces the theory of soft power, which forms the theoretical framework of the whole thesis. Three primary sources of soft power are identified: culture, political values, and foreign policy. The second part applies this theory to Russian soft power in Ukraine. The general context of Russian soft power is presented to understand Russia's capabilities and resources. In the Russian Federation, soft power issues are beginning to be addressed after the events of the colour revolutions in the post-Soviet space. The role of Russian soft power in Ukraine is examined in terms of cultural and political resources. The political sources are mainly based on the political level of the concept of the Russian world and the personality of Vladimir Putin. The cultural sources of Russian soft power are based on the Russian language and the Russian Orthodox Church. The influence of the Russian Orthodox Church is observed in the influence of the UPC - MP on the territory of Ukraine, which is compared with the influence of the UPC - KP and later the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The influence of the Russian language is presented on the national and linguistic division of Ukraine. Until 2014, partial successes of Russian soft power were observed, especially in the field of cultural resources, but these were rather related to previous common historical experience. The systematic and conscious use of soft power tools started very late in the RF. Due to the lack of attractiveness in political values, the RF had to resort to the use of hard power against Ukraine in 2014. Russia's soft power in Ukraine faced several problems and was eventually significantly weakened by the RF's resort to the use of hard power. |