On the perception of Russia by US politicians (2017-2021)

The article explores American politicians' statements about Russia based on an examination of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee's 2017-2021 debate on Russia. The author identifies the stable characteristics existing in the USA in the description of the image of Russia and shows how the image of «The Other» is used by representatives of the American authorities in the implementation of the foreign policy of the country. The influence of American values in shaping perceptions of Russia is traced, where the idea of American exceptionalism becomes a tool for creating a hostile image of the state in the United States. The author notes the strengthening of negative assessments of Russia against the background of the implementation of independent foreign policy and traditional stereotyping of the Russian Federation in the West, which is based on the desire of the United States to play the role of world leader.