Research Article

Leaders Seeking Asylum in Russia: Geopolitical Dynamics and Political Asylum Policies

Number: 15 June 30, 2026
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Leaders Seeking Asylum in Russia: Geopolitical Dynamics and Political Asylum Policies

Abstract

This study offers a comprehensive analysis of political leaders who have sought refuge in the Russian Federation, exploring the phenomenon through political, legal, and geopolitical lenses. The paper begins by examining key definitions within international law, clarifying distinctions between refugees, asylum seekers, and political exiles. This legal framework serves as a foundation for evaluating the evolution of Russia's asylum practices, particularly in the post-Soviet period. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia’s approach to granting asylum has shifted from ideologically motivated Cold War-era policies to strategies that increasingly serve its geopolitical interests and foreign policy objectives. Special attention is devoted to how the Kremlin has selectively offered asylum to deposed or threatened leaders as a means of reinforcing its sphere of influence and projecting global power. Through in-depth case studies, including Viktor Yanukovych (Ukraine), Askar Akayev (Kyrgyzstan), Ayaz Mutallibov (Azerbaijan), and Russia's alliance with Bashar al-Assad (Syria), the study demonstrates how asylum decisions often intertwine with broader political agendas. These examples illustrate that Russia’s asylum policy is less about humanitarian protection and more about leveraging political asylum as a strategic instrument in regional and global affairs. The analysis reveals how Russia uses the provision of asylum to challenge Western diplomatic pressure, support friendly regimes, and maintain influence over its near abroad. Additionally, the paper examines the implications of such practices for international legal norms and global diplomatic balance. Ultimately, the article argues that Russia’s asylum policy reflects a hybrid logic of soft power, realpolitik, and legal ambiguity, revealing much about the country’s evolving role in the international system. This exploration contributes to a deeper understanding of how authoritarian regimes utilize legal mechanisms like asylum to pursue strategic aims under the guise of international protection.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

International Relations (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

July 3, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 26, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 15

APA
Eroğlu, S. E., & Paşa, E. (2026). Leaders Seeking Asylum in Russia: Geopolitical Dynamics and Political Asylum Policies. Rusya Araştırmaları Dergisi, 15, 207-224. https://doi.org/10.48068/rusad.1731034
AMA
1.Eroğlu SE, Paşa E. Leaders Seeking Asylum in Russia: Geopolitical Dynamics and Political Asylum Policies. Rusya Araştırmaları Dergisi. 2026;(15):207-224. doi:10.48068/rusad.1731034
Chicago
Eroğlu, Susran Erkan, and Elnur Paşa. 2026. “Leaders Seeking Asylum in Russia: Geopolitical Dynamics and Political Asylum Policies”. Rusya Araştırmaları Dergisi, nos. 15: 207-24. https://doi.org/10.48068/rusad.1731034.
EndNote
Eroğlu SE, Paşa E (June 1, 2026) Leaders Seeking Asylum in Russia: Geopolitical Dynamics and Political Asylum Policies. Rusya Araştırmaları Dergisi 15 207–224.
IEEE
[1]S. E. Eroğlu and E. Paşa, “Leaders Seeking Asylum in Russia: Geopolitical Dynamics and Political Asylum Policies”, Rusya Araştırmaları Dergisi, no. 15, pp. 207–224, June 2026, doi: 10.48068/rusad.1731034.
ISNAD
Eroğlu, Susran Erkan - Paşa, Elnur. “Leaders Seeking Asylum in Russia: Geopolitical Dynamics and Political Asylum Policies”. Rusya Araştırmaları Dergisi. 15 (June 1, 2026): 207-224. https://doi.org/10.48068/rusad.1731034.
JAMA
1.Eroğlu SE, Paşa E. Leaders Seeking Asylum in Russia: Geopolitical Dynamics and Political Asylum Policies. Rusya Araştırmaları Dergisi. 2026;:207–224.
MLA
Eroğlu, Susran Erkan, and Elnur Paşa. “Leaders Seeking Asylum in Russia: Geopolitical Dynamics and Political Asylum Policies”. Rusya Araştırmaları Dergisi, no. 15, June 2026, pp. 207-24, doi:10.48068/rusad.1731034.
Vancouver
1.Susran Erkan Eroğlu, Elnur Paşa. Leaders Seeking Asylum in Russia: Geopolitical Dynamics and Political Asylum Policies. Rusya Araştırmaları Dergisi. 2026 Jun. 1;(15):207-24. doi:10.48068/rusad.1731034