Asia-Plus: Moscow seeks to maintain its influence in Central Asia
Prague, August 26, Free Eurasia. An article by Asia-Plus explores how Moscow is working to preserve its influence in Central Asia amid Western isolation. The authors stress that in order to counterbalance Russian influence, regional states need to offer strong national alternatives.
According to Asia-Plus, Russia is stepping up the use of “soft power” tools in Central Asia as a way to maintain its standing in the region. The report notes that, having lost significant economic and military leverage, Moscow is shifting to more sustainable humanitarian mechanisms, including educational programs, cultural initiatives, and promotion of the Russian language.
“In Tajikistan, five schools already operate under the Russian curriculum, the number of Russian teachers is increasing, and graduates are offered quotas for free enrollment in Russian universities,” the outlet reports. Through the Rossotrudnichestvo agency, Russia organizes cultural exchanges, journalist and artist trips, internships, and major cultural events aimed at shaping a positive image of Russia in the region.
“In schools, ‘lessons of courage’ are held, where children are taught patriotism and military traditions,” Asia-Plus highlights, underscoring the ideological dimension of these initiatives. The article emphasizes that Russia’s strategy is driven by its limited economic capacity: “Russia has weakened economically, but cultural and educational instruments remain inexpensive and effective.”
The Kremlin views this approach as a long-term investment in future generations’ loyalty and as a tool to counter the growing influence of other players — China, the EU, Japan, and Turkey. Competition is increasing as China launches large-scale infrastructure projects and economic initiatives, while the EU and Japan offer transport and energy development programs, including projects under the Global Gateway initiative.
Global Gateway is the European Union’s flagship program launched in 2021 as a response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Its aim is to develop sustainable infrastructure, digitalization, energy systems, and transport corridors in partner countries, including Central Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Against this backdrop, Asia-Plus warns that Central Asian states must develop their own cultural and educational programs and support independent media platforms: “To counter Russian influence, strong national alternatives must be offered.” Without such measures, the region risks remaining within Russia’s humanitarian orbit, which could ultimately consolidate Moscow’s dominance not only culturally but also politically. Experts argue that the struggle for influence in Central Asia is shifting from the economic and military domain to the realm of education, values, and cultural identity.
The article recalls that after the collapse of the USSR, Moscow transformed the concept of the “Russian World” from a cultural idea into a geopolitical doctrine. The core thesis of this ideology is that the borders of the “Russian World” extend wherever Russian speakers live. Based on this notion, the Kremlin justifies its claims to influence beyond Russia’s borders and even military interventions, such as the armed invasion of Ukraine. Propaganda asserts that territories with Russian-speaking populations are “Russian” and must be “protected.”
The European Parliament has noted that such narratives deny Ukraine’s separate national identity and stem from imperialist ideology. In 2007, by decree of Vladimir Putin, the Russkiy Mir Foundation was established as a “headquarters” for this identity-driven campaign, tasked with strengthening ties with Russian compatriots and promoting Russian language, heritage, and culture abroad. This organization, along with Rossotrudnichestvo, is state-controlled and operates in multiple countries, including Central Asia, opening “Russian Centers” and funding media and NGOs that propagate key Kremlin narratives. The foundation provides grants to organizations and media that promote Russian-language programs and content; Dmitry Medvedev once described it as “the main instrument of Russia’s soft power.”
Despite Moscow’s significant efforts, the influence of the Russian language in Central Asia and the South Caucasus is gradually declining. Researchers note that while Russian remains a powerful soft power tool in the region, its potential is slowly diminishing. Some countries are transitioning to Latin script and adopting legislation prioritizing national languages. At the same time, Russian-language TV channels and print media still dominate the information space in Central Asia, shaping public opinion and worldview.
Free Eurasia
