Russian aggression against Ukraine and world football : an analysis of the impact of the war in Ukraine on Russia’s foreign policy strategies regarding world football

Abstract

This thesis delves into the interplay between Russia's foreign policy strategies, namely soft power and public diplomacy, and world football. It aims to unravel the links between Russia's foreign policy since the Soviet Union's dissolution and its engagement in world football. The central hypothesis posits that Russia's strategies relying on football encountered significant disruptions following its aggressive actions against Ukraine. Drawing on Joseph Nye's concept of soft power and Edmund Gullion's public diplomacy, the research traces Russia's ascendancy as a wielder of soft power globally, particularly before the escalation of the Ukrainian conflict. However, Russia's credibility and trust, crucial for soft power, eroded as military interventions in its neighbouring countries unfolded. Analyzing football's role in Russia's strategy, the study elucidates how the sport provided a platform for political engagement, economic ties, and diplomatic relations, contributing to Russia's soft power. Yet, the invasion of Ukraine disrupted this alignment, given that Russian soft power is an extension of the Russian State, and will be surpassed by hard power strategies. This led to irremediable repercussions to Russian football diplomacy, such as club selloffs, contract cancellations, and suspension of Russian teams by FIFA and UEFA. Employing qualitative analysis, the research examines texts, speeches, official documents, press releases, and scholarly works, to shed a light on Russia's sports diplomacy endeavours and foreign policy strategies. This research holds significance in bridging the gap between political science and sports studies, offering insights into the dynamics of how sports can both fuel and hinder foreign policy efforts. It aims at increase the understanding of the complexity of using sports as a diplomatic tool and reveals the need for integration between sports studies, political science, and international relations in academia.