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RésuméLa Russie de Vladimir Poutine a retrouvé des marges internationales. Mais les objectifs de sa politique étrangère restent peu clairs, entre le poids de la constance – le tropisme militaire, les visions géopolitiques, le nécessaire contrôle de l’empire, la référence à la richesse énergétique – et la tentation de l’inconstance – sur l’affaire iranienne ou sur l’option européenne... C’est parce que la politique extérieure russe est irréductible à nos normes qu’elle exige un constant décryptage.

A close study of what is a wide reaching foreign policy leads to a number of contradictory conclusions. It is necessary to acknowledge that Vladimir Putin, despite having to overcome a number of hurdles, has managed to expand Russia’s options, even if his strategic choices have not always made sense. This has resulted in a measure of uncertainty which favors tactics over strategy. The Russian president has defined a policy which could be encapsulated in the following play-off: maintaining freedom to maneuver so as to do nothing. This play-off will be analyzed through the prism of historical constants (an outline of the theaters, strategic constructs, and energy resources) and of current issues (Iran, diplomatic positions, and regional integration projects).