Public diplomacy activities of the Russian Federation in Azerbaijan: 2000-2019

The concept of diplomacy has been one of the most important methods used by states to protect their interests throughout history. The greatest contribution of diplomacy to international relations is undoubtedly the communication and cooperation of states instead of bloody wars in the name of interest policies. The concept of diplomacy, which has existed since the early ages, has entered a continuous change and development with globalization. Along with these changes in the concept of diplomacy, many new types of diplomacy have begun to appear internationally. One of the most effective methods among these diplomacy types is undoubtedly considered as public diplomacy. The concept of public diplomacy is expressed in the most basic sense as a state's gaining attraction by using the power of soft power in the policies it pursues against another state and its people, and thus reaching its targeted policies in a more peaceful and less costly manner compared to the use of hard power. One of the most effective methods among these diplomacy types is undoubtedly considered as public diplomacy. While the concept of public diplomacy gaining importance day by day was not encountered in the USSR period, the importance given to this type of diplomacy started to increase in the Russian Federation, the successor of the USSR, after the initiatives of Vladimir Putin after 2000. Because, with globalization, soft power applications have brought more concrete solutions instead of hard power in international relations. At this point, although the Russian Federation has accelerated its public diplomacy activities, it has continued to use hard power elements that it did not completely shelve due to its commitment to its traditions. The Russian Federation has given priority to implementing public diplomacy activities, especially in the CIS countries of the former USSR . From the point of view of the Russian Federation, one of the most important states in the CIS is undoubtedly seen as Azerbaijan. For this reason, instead of leading Azerbaijan to approach the western states by applying hard power elements against Azerbaijan, the Russian Federation aims to cooperate with the Azerbaijani state through soft power practices and to gain sympathy by the people of Azerbaijan by making changes in its foreign policy.