The Global Role of the Russian Language in International Relations: Resources, Challenges and Prospects in a Polycentric World

The relevance of the research is due to the fundamental transformation of the system of international relations towards polycentricity, where, along with traditional factors of power, the role of communicative and value resources is increasing. Russian, being one of the official languages of the United Nations and preserving a significant communicative space in the post-Soviet territory, has found itself at the epicenter of the contradictory processes of globalization, regionalization, and digitalization, thereby necessitating a new understanding of its strategic potential and limitations. The purpose of the article is to conduct a comprehensive interdisciplinary analysis of the role of the Russian language as a factor in international relations in order to identify its resource base, systemic challenges, and likely development trajectories in the emerging polycentric world order. The objectives of the study derive from the stated goal and include: 1) reconstruction of the historical evolution of the international status of the Russian language; 2) classification and characterization of its modern multifunctional manifestations in various fields; 3) analysis of the geopolitical and civilizational dynamics associated with the language; 4) a critical assessment of its effectiveness as a soft-power instrument; 5) identification of key trends and formulation of alternative scenarios for its future. The research is based on a set of scientific publications on sociolinguistics and international relations, official documents of the United Nations, the EAEU, the SCO, statistical data, and the results of sociological surveys. The methodological basis is a systematic approach supplemented by historical, genetic (diachronic), and comparative methods, as well as content analysis. The study demonstrates the dual nature of the modern Russian language has been established. Russian functions simultaneously as an instrument of integration and practical communication in the Eurasian space and as a field of ideological and informational confrontation. The key trends determining its development have been identified: sustainable regionalization, deepening diversification of language preferences under the influence of global competition, as well as the significant influence of digital transformation and demographic challenges. Thus, it is concluded that the stability of the Russian language's position is ensured by its institutional status, functional necessity within the framework of Eurasian integration, and unique historical and cultural capital. However, its long-term future will depend on Russia's overall socio-economic and political trajectory, and its ability to generate meanings and products that are attractive to the international community. The most realistic scenario seems to be that it will retain the status of one of the world's leading regional languages without returning to the global influence characteristic of the bipolar era.