PARADIPLOMACY OF THE CHECHEN REPUBLIC IN THE CONTEXT OF FEDERAL RELATIONS

Abstract

Introduction. Sub-national governments are becoming increasingly prominent actors in foreign policy. Among Russian regional leaders, the leaders of Chechnya have been the most publicly active in the international arena. Despite their paradiplomatic activities, there is a dearth of scholarly research on the theoretical reflection and analysis of the republic’s international engagement. The purpose of the research is to study Chechnya’s paradiplomacy since 2000 and explain the “expanded” powers of the republic in international affairs. Methods. The presented research, carried out using a neo-institutional approach, includes an indepth understanding of individual examples / case study method and their comparison (comparative method) to identify common patterns of developing republican paradiplomacy. The scientific novelty of the study. The article explores the evolution of the Chechen Republic’s paradigm in the context of its «special» status within the Russian Federation. It provides a comparative analysis of the foreign policy activities of three key Chechen leaders (A. Kadyrov, A. Alkhanov, and R. Kadyrov) and identifies the stages of paradigm transformation from a tool for legitimizing power to a mechanism for economic and religious influence. Special attention is paid to the role of Ramzan Kadyrov’s personality in shaping a unique model of republican paradiplomacy. Results. It has been found that the main geographical focus of paradiplomatic efforts is the Middle East. The article shows that the main topics for negotiations and cooperation are issues related to maintaining stability and peace in the region and combating extremist groups. The author has identified that a distinctive feature of Chechnya’s paradiplomacy at the current stage is its high level of contacts (compared to other regions of the Russian Federation). It has been proven that Chechnya’s status in terms of international activity compared to other Russian regions is due to the existence of an informal agreement between the federal center and the republic. Conclusions. Chechnya’s paradiplomacy is a unique example of regional foreign policy activity that combines religious, economic, and political aspects. Its evolution reflects the federal center’s strategy of managing the «troubled» region by delegating authority to loyal elites. Key factors contributing to its success include the use of Islamic identity to enhance Chechnya’s and Russia’s image in the Muslim world, as well as R. Kadyrov’s personal connections with Middle Eastern leaders, which enable Moscow to increase its influence in the region, an informal agreement between the federal center and the Chechen leadership that ensures stability at the cost of broad autonomy. The study demonstrates that Chechen paradiplomacy has become a tool not only for regional but also for national influence; however its long-term consequences for federal relations remain a subject of discussion.