This paper illustrates how studying the evolution of strategic narratives - stories that states tell in their diplomatic communication to convince publics at home and abroad to frame their views and actions - can provide valuable insights into diplomatic developments. Rhetorical shifts often precede political shifts and can help identify opportunities to influence foreign policy. By breaking down longitudinal strategic narratives into subperiods, it is possible to capture important nuances and identify patterns of continuity and change that might be overlooked if the narratives were analyzed as a single, continuous story. Empirically, this paper examines Russian rhetoric concerning its relations with Ukraine over a 16-year period (2004-2020) by qualitatively analyzing more than 600 diplomatic statements from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It argues that studying the evolution of identity narratives - how a state perceives itself and its interlocutors - enhances our understanding of the bilateral relationship between two actors in international relations. Over time, Russian identity narratives have shifted from portraying Russia as a good neighbor and regional hegemon to depicting it as an enemy of the Ukrainian regime, while Ukraine's portrayal has changed from a strategic partner to an international law violator and aggressor. This longitudinal approach allows for an analysis of how strategic narratives evolve over time, highlighting important nuances, continuity, and change.