Russia’s Anti-Colonial Strategic Narrative Towards the Global South
Russia’s Anti-Colonial Strategic Narrative Towards the Global South

Summary/Abstract: Since the start of the full-scale attack on Ukraine and the imposition of Western sanctions, Russia has sought to minimize their impact by deepening relations with the Global South. Its ‘charm offensive’ among developing countries has the purpose of aligning them with the interests of Moscow. Its diplomatic push is based on a carefully constructed, albeit deeply false narrative representing Russia as an anti-colonial power and true friend of the Global South. The narrative’s purpose is to persuade former European colonies that – unlike Western powers – Russia has never pursued a colonial agenda and has always supported the independence of nations across the world. Its goal is to draw non-aligned countries into the Russian orbit and neutralize Western efforts of isolation. The aim of this paper is to debunk Moscow’s anti-colonial narrative and expose it as a segment of Russian propaganda. It will do so by tracing Russia’s imperialist/colonialist policies from the 16th century until today and by unmasking the intentions behind Moscow’s recent patronization of Africa.

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