The Importance of Narratives in Russia’s Soft Power towards Lithuania

Russia struggles to achieve foreign policy goals in the former Soviet Union countries, applying soft power. Failures to achieve wanted results are outcomes of its aggressive politics as well as antithetical narratives. The article argues that the results of Russia’s soft power approach to Lithuania are defined by the narratives aimed at each other and themselves, framed by the dominant institutions of foreign policymaking in Russia and Lithuania. The attention is given to the decision-makers because they frame narratives for foreign and domestic audiences. Narratives are an important variable in defining soft power outcomes. The empirical research demonstrates that Russia aims to achieve the hegemony of narrative towards Lithuania and dismisses Lithuania narratives. On the other hand, Lithuania considers Russia a ‘significant Other’ and uses Russia’s Otherness to build Sameness with the Euro-Atlantic partners shielding from Russia’s soft power.