Araştırma Makalesi

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

Sayı: 15 30 Haziran 2026
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Leaders Seeking Asylum in Russia: Geopolitical Dynamics and Political Asylum Policies

Öz

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.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Kaynakça

  1. Allison, Roy. Russia, the West, and Military Intervention. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013.
  2. Altstadt, Audrey L. The Azerbaijani Turks: Power and Identity under Russian Rule. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1992.
  3. Balmforth, Thomas. “Explainer: How Do You Get Asylum in Russia?.” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 3 September 2013. Accessed 14.10.2025. https://www.rferl.org/a/explainer-how-to-get-asylum-in-russia/25094422.html.
  4. Borshchevskaya, Anna. Russia’s Soft Power Projection in the Middle East. Carlisle: Army University Press, 2021.
  5. Cohen, Ariel. Russia’s Counterinsurgency in North Caucasus: Performance and Consequences. Carlisle: Strategic Studies Institute, 2014.
  6. “Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.” United Nations Treaty Series, vol. 189. 28 July 1951. Accessed 18.11.2025. https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetailsII.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=V-2&chapter=5&Temp=mtdsg2&clang=_en
  7. Dugin, Alexander. Foundations of Geopolitics: The Geopolitical Future of Russia. Moscow: Arktogeia, 1997.
  8. Galeotti, Mark. The Modern Russian Army (1992–2016). Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2017.

Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

İngilizce

Konular

Uluslararası İlişkiler (Diğer)

Bölüm

Araştırma Makalesi

Yayımlanma Tarihi

30 Haziran 2026

Gönderilme Tarihi

3 Temmuz 2025

Kabul Tarihi

26 Ocak 2026

Yayımlandığı Sayı

Yıl 2026 Sayı: 15

Kaynak Göster

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. RUSAD. 2026;(15):207-224. doi:10.48068/rusad.1731034
Chicago
Eroğlu, Susran Erkan, ve Elnur Paşa. 2026. “Leaders Seeking Asylum in Russia: Geopolitical Dynamics and Political Asylum Policies”. Rusya Araştırmaları Dergisi, sy 15: 207-24. https://doi.org/10.48068/rusad.1731034.
EndNote
Eroğlu SE, Paşa E (01 Haziran 2026) Leaders Seeking Asylum in Russia: Geopolitical Dynamics and Political Asylum Policies. Rusya Araştırmaları Dergisi 15 207–224.
IEEE
[1]S. E. Eroğlu ve E. Paşa, “Leaders Seeking Asylum in Russia: Geopolitical Dynamics and Political Asylum Policies”, RUSAD, sy 15, ss. 207–224, Haz. 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 (01 Haziran 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. RUSAD. 2026;:207–224.
MLA
Eroğlu, Susran Erkan, ve Elnur Paşa. “Leaders Seeking Asylum in Russia: Geopolitical Dynamics and Political Asylum Policies”. Rusya Araştırmaları Dergisi, sy 15, Haziran 2026, ss. 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. RUSAD. 01 Haziran 2026;(15):207-24. doi:10.48068/rusad.1731034

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Bu eser Creative Commons Alıntı-Gayri Ticari-Türetilemez Uluslararası Lisansı (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) ile lisanslanmıştır. 21767
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) International License.

 

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