The article examines the role of the Russian language as an effective soft power instrument of the Russian Federation in the 21st century. The author analyzes language policy concerning Russian through the prism of a comprehensive set of state measures, the study of which allows for the identification of specific mechanisms for implementing Russian soft power at the present stage. The author focuses on the transformation of the Russian language's status in the context of the strategic "non-Western pivot," because of which it acquires the significance of a global language and is considered an integral component of national security. The study centers on the interrelation between the functioning of the Russian language and the formation of Russia's image, examined through the material of Russian Chinese relations. The research identifies the "threshold effect of language contact intensity": only upon achieving a certain degree of linguistic interaction (for example, in the process of studying abroad or within the framework of long-term economic cooperation) does a substantial correction of perceptions about Russia in the host countries become possible. The author substantiates the thesis that the promotion of the Russian language enhances Russia's soft power potential, optimizes its national image, facilitates deeper interaction with partner states, and thereby serves the objectives of strengthening national security. Acknowledgements: The research was conducted with the financial support of the China Scholarship Council (CSC) under the State Scholarship Fund (Grant No. 202408230166).
Pankratov S.A., Zhou J. (2026). Russia's Language Policy in 21st Century: Influence of Russian Language as Soft Power Instrument on Russia-China Relations. Middle & Post-Soviet East, no. 2 (14), pp. 62–79. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.31249/j.2949-2408.2026.02.05.
language policy, Russian language, soft power instrument, Russian-Chinese relations, threshold effect of language contact intensity