DIPLOMACY AS AN INSTRUMENT OF GEOPOLITICAL RIVALRY BETWEEN THE USA AND THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION FOR INFLUENCE IN POST-SOVIET COUNTRIES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

The article considers how the COVID-19 pandemic has become the basis for geopolitical rivalry between the Russian Federation and the United States for influence among the post-Soviet countries. The article examines how the United States and Russia are using coronavirus diplomacy as a soft power, in particular through the supply of medical equipment, protective equipment, vaccines and financial assistance, to shape their positioning and improve their image among the countries of the region. In addition, the article analyses the strategic interests of the United States and Russia in the post-Soviet space, describes the diplomatic steps taken by both countries to assist other countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, compares the effectiveness of their coronavirus and vaccine diplomacy, and assesses the attitude of post-Soviet countries to the diplomatic initiatives of the United States and Russia.