ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses domestic actors and their influence on RFP. It speaks, among other things, about President Putin and his paramount, but not all-powerful, position as well as about the foreign ministry whose role is focused on the implementation rather than the defining of foreign policy. In addition, the chapter looks closer at foreign policy-making processes, which are informal, personalised, and often rely on individuals who act behind the scenes. Special attention is paid to changes in these processes, which the chapter contends, had impact on Russia’s dominant national role conceptions and international behaviour. The second part of the chapter deals with the Russian opposition and argues that its role is not without significance in shaping RFP, as is the case with public opinion, which is discussed in the last part of the chapter.
