Moscow is gearing up to boost its influence abroad by revitalizing the "Rossotrudnichestvo" network. Yevgeny Primakov, the agency’s head, announced plans to create a Russian version of the American development agency USAID.
This was reported by the Center for Counteracting Disinformation.
According to Primakov, the Russian Foreign Ministry is working on a new law focused on "international development assistance," which would expand Rossotrudnichestvo’s ability to operate internationally. He highlighted that modernizing the agency is key to strengthening Russia’s presence and influence around the world.
However, Moscow’s true intentions are becoming clearer: supporting Russian communities abroad is no longer the main priority. Instead, Rossotrudnichestvo is increasingly being used as a tool for soft power, spreading propaganda, and disinformation, all disguised as cultural outreach.
Several countries have already shut down so-called "Russian Houses" affiliated with Rossotrudnichestvo, citing concerns over national security. These centers were reportedly used for spreading propaganda and as covers for intelligence activities. Now, Moscow is preparing to rebrand the network to better adapt to the current environment and continue exerting its influence overseas.
