Seizing the Multipolar Moment? Russia in the New World Disorder

The chapter focuses on the role of Russia in a context of international relations marked by an increasing world disorder. It raises primarily the question whether and to what extent a "new cold war" is really alive particularly between Russia, NATO and the USA. The main features of the debate among commentators and scholars is reported in the introductory part of the chapter. In the following pages the chapter discusses the direction of the Russian foreign policy in relation to the global governance both with a historical apporach which covers the events of the 20th century and the most recent policies implemented since the new millennium has started. Furthermore, the chapter investigates the Russian relations with China, the Pacific area, the BRICS and the EAEU, in order to grasp the multilateral actions of the Moscow's diplomacy and the sense of rivalries with the West at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.