Armen Vardanyan

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, a set of objective factors resulted in Russia’s wrapping itself in its domestic affairs at the early stage.

Due to hard economic conditions and an unstable internal political situation, it mainly focused on its domestic policy and avoided worsening relations with other power centers and regional actors attempting to penetrate the post-Soviet area—Russia’s zone of influence.

However, Russia overcame the systemic political and socio-economic crisis in the late 1990s and thus started restoring its former zones of influence. Restriction of access for the US, EU, China and other regional actors to the post-Soviet area has become Russia’s strategic goal.

As of the late1990s Russia has been taking initiatives to restore its lost position in the post-Soviet space, applying various mechanisms. Particularly, in its international policy, the Kremlin applies the widely-used hard power and soft power tools. Examples of hard power, such as blackmailing, threatening, making war (for instance, in Donbas), interfering into other countries’ domestic affairs, destabilizing countries’ domestic situation, are imposed both directly and indirectly.

Besides hard power, recently Russia has attached great significance to soft power tools extensively used in contemporary international policy. Moreover, if hard power use mainly bears an implicit and indirect nature, soft power has a legitimate one, which is declared by Russian authorities as well. It’s also reflected in various strategic documents and concepts of the Russian Federation (hereinafter RF).  

Moscow applies soft power in its foreign policy to create a positive image in alien countries towards Russia and the EEU (Eurasian Economic Union), created to serve its geopolitical interests, to raise the role of Russian language and culture in the countries of its zone of influence, to have a pro-Russian population there.

This “mission” is generally implemented by non-governmental organizations, mass media, Russian language and cultural centers, universities and etc. financed by the Kremlin or its adjacent circles. “Rossotrudnichestvo” (Russian partnership) organization under Russia’s MFA, Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), Public Diplomacy Fund after Gorchakov, “Russian world” Foundation and others are especially active in formation of Russia’s positive image and propagation of Russian culture and language. These organizations have representations in many countries of the world, including Armenia, where Russian language and culture are being spread, public diplomacy schools, conferences, seminars and etc. are being organized.

Besides the above mentioned other companies and local organizations as well are active in propagating Russian language and culture. Particularly, upon the initiative of Andranik Nikoghosyan (Head of the Institute for Strategic Development), free-of-charge educational centers of Russian language and culture have been launched in Armenia in 2012. Currently there are over 100 similar centers where more than 300 highly qualified teachers are working. 

It’s worth mentioning that Russian language and culture days, best performance of Russian songs, best composition in Russian and other competitions are regularly organized by the “Union of Russian Armenians” organization, led by Ara Abrahamyan. Moreover, Abrahamyan recently announced his intention to create a political party in Armenia that might participate in the forthcoming parliamentary election. Obviously it is being established to serve Moscow’s interests, by which the Kremlin will intensify its political presence in Armenia's political sector. 

Branches of higher educational institutions abroad also play a significant role in the propagation of Russian language and studying of Russian culture. Recently, Moscow has  strengthened its position in these fields as well. In particular, Russian universities have been launched in some post-Soviet countries. For instance, in 2015 a branch of Moscow State University was launched in Yerevan.  However, the Russian-Armenian Slavonic University and branches of seven Russian higher educational institutions, with about 3,500 students, have been operating in Armenia.  

In recent years Russia has noticeably intensified its activity in public diplomacy, which is a manifestation of soft power as well. Thus, besides educational institutions, centers for Russian language and culture propagation, individual political and cultural figures, heads of RF regions are also engaged in improving Russia’s image abroad, strengthening its ties with other countries. 

Among the organizations aimed at creating a Russia-friendly environment in Armenia are the Armenian-Russian Union, Russian-Armenian Support Center for Strategic and Public Initiatives, the Armenian branch of Union of Russian Armenians, the Regional Public Movement in Support of Development of Russian-Armenian Relations, among others.

Moreover, it’s noteworthy to mention that there are numerous foundations and NGOs in Russia tasked with providing positive information on the European Economic Union (EEU), such as the Eurasian Partnership Foundation, the Eurasian Information League, Rossotrudnichestvo, Russian World Foundation and others.  

These organizations frequently hold forums, seminars, roundtables, lectures, and conferences in EEU member countries, including Armenia, targeting at raising public awareness on EEU, its goals, activities and Eurasian integration. Along with propagation of Eurasianism ideology and values, these organizations also preach an anti-liberalism, anti-West agenda, andnostalgia for the Soviet Union.

At the same time, Russia widely uses Kremlin-controlled mass media as a soft power tool, allocating them tremendous funding to ensure Russia’s positive image abroad, to influence on other countries’ public opinion, presenting it as a seductive country.

For this purpose, upon the order of president Putin, the “Russia Today” TV channel was founded a few years ago. It currently broadcasts in English and in Arabic all over the world and reportedly has an audience of tens of millions. Russian high-ranking officials have repeatedly stated that they lose information war with the West, hence the situation needs settling.

Armenia is not an exception in this regard. The Kremlin performs active propaganda here as well. Currently a range of Russian digital TV channels are broadcast in Armenia. Except them, throughout recent years, individuals connected to the Kremlin have founded a range of websites with Moscow’s support. Following the above-mentioned mission and covering Russia and EEU positively, they propagate for strengthening Armenian-Russian relations, while preaching anti-Western moods, trying to discredit West-oriented Armenian political figures and civil activists in some of them.

“Improving Security Policy Debates in Armenia” programme (NED)

(Armen Vardanyan is a specialist with the Armenian Institute of International and Security Affairs)