Russia’s Strategic Use of Environmental Issues: Central Asian Water Politics and the Paris Agreement

Russia’s position as a leading energy exporter and regional power means that environmental pressures now influence its foreign policy as much as traditional security concerns. This study will examine how environmental factors intersect with Russia’s external behavior by using the lens of environmental security. First, it outlines the main ideas related to non-traditional foreign policy, the environment, environmental sustainability, and international environmental treaties. This helps to establish a realist framework for studying the Russian state’s interests. Methodologically, this study employs a comparative case study approach. Source selection criteria focus on academic articles, government and international organization reports, and primary documents related to the environmental policies under consideration. The study next explores domestic Russian environmental governance to show the tensions between economic growth, resource dependence, and weak enforcement of environmental rules. Two empirical sections follow, examining Russian foreign environmental policy in practice through its involvement in the Central Asian water crisis and global climate change treaties. Finally, the study assesses how environmental diplomacy, international treaties, and soft-power tools reshape Russian sovereignty, its image, and opportunities for maneuver. In conclusion, it argues that Russia will treat environmental engagement mainly as a strategic function, but long-term challenges in security and development will demand lasting commitments to sustainability and multilateralism.

کلیدواژه ها:

Russia ، Foreign Policy ، Environmental Diplomacy ، Environmental Security ، Central Asia ، Paris Agreement