The article presents a realist view of soft power. In this interpretation, soft power is a tool that provides advantages in international competition. As a concept and practice, soft power is associated with the idea of globalization and hegemonism, it serves primarily the interests of the hegemon but ultimately creates common benefits for a significant part of the international community. However, today we are witnessing the crisis of American hegemony and weariness of the West’s soft power. These changes encourage the search for new ways to build a fairer world order. The author argues that to achieve this goal, Russia’s soft power should go beyond efforts to improve its international image and protect its sovereignty and traditional values. This vision of soft power does not elucidate what the future world should be like and what role Russia should play in it.