Political influence strategies implemented by the diplomatic missions of Ukraine and Russia in Peru, in the context of Russian invasion of Ukraine

Abstract

The Russian-Ukrainian war, initiated with the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and exacerbated by the 2022 full-scale Russian invasion, represents a significant shift in global geopolitics, particularly affecting international relations and political dynamics in Latin America. Russia's strategy of combining cultural diplomacy, educational efforts, and political realism has sought to reinforce its influence and legitimacy in the region, while Ukraine has focused on highlighting the illegitimacy of the Russian invasion and its humanitarian consequences, employing a diplomacy of victimization and legality. This paper underscores the importance of analyzing the diplomatic responses and strategies of political influence of both states on Peru, demonstrating how a regional conflict can influence and reconfigure policies and alliances at a global and regional level.