Executive Summary
Russia is implementing Rossotrudnichestvo’s activities and projects in Uzbekistan as part of Moscow’s cultural diplomacy in Central Asia. By undertaking new initiatives in culture, theatre, and film, Rossotrudnichestvo aims to promote international development throughout the EAEU.
This report examines the significance of Russian cultural diplomacy in Uzbekistan and Central Asia, and Rossotrudnichestvo’s contribution to the Kremlin’s regional aims. The report also analyses the “cultural geopolitical game” in the region involving local and international actors.
Key Takeaways
- Russia is leveraging Rossotrudnichestvo’s cultural initiatives in Uzbekistan to deepen its influence across Central Asia, using theatre, film, and educational programmes as strategic tools.
- Moscow’s cultural diplomacy aligns with broader geopolitical objectives, reinforcing its presence within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and countering Western and regional competitors.
- The “cultural geopolitical game” in Central Asia is intensifying, with China, Turkey, Iran, Gulf Arab monarchies, and Western nations engaging in soft power competition for strategic advantage.
Background Information
On 28 March 2025, the head of Rossotrudnichestvo Yevgeny Primakov spoke about projects in education and culture at a briefing in the multimedia press centre of Sputnik Uzbekistan. He says the agency is refocusing its work on projects that promote international development within the EAEU.
Focusing on cultural programs, he highlighted the expansion of the “Hearts of Four” theatre project, a collaboration between Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan. Primakov also emphasised that Tashkent has “enormous potential” to become the centre of cinematography in Central Asia, thanks to the existing branch of Vserossijskij Gosudarstvennyj Universitet Kinematografii imeni S.A. Gerasimova (All-Russian State University of Cinematography named after S.A. Gerasimov – VGIK).
Educational projects receive particular attention. As E. Primakov noted, the current quota of 810 Uzbekistan students at Russian universities is steadily growing.
In 2008, the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation established the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation – Rossotrudnichestvo. The agency’s primary goal is to strengthen Moscow’s humanitarian influence in the world. Currently known also as Russkij Dom (Russian House), Rossotrudnichestvo is present in 71 countries.
The Head of the Agency, Yevgeny Primakov, has over 20 years of journalism experience, specialising in military conflict reporting and holding various significant positions, including Deputy of the State Duma and Head of the Federal Agency for International Humanitarian Cooperation. He is a co-founder of the Russian Humanitarian Mission, a Civic Chamber member, and a recipient of the Medal of the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland,” awarded for his humanitarian and public service work.
Geopolitical Scenario
Cultural diplomacy is the practice of using cultural exchanges and initiatives to foster mutual understanding, improve relationships, and promote dialogue between nations and communities.
Moscow considers Central Asia as part of its blizhnee zarubezhe (near abroad) and lebensraum (vital space). Moscow uses Rossotrudnichestvo’s projects and activities to promote cultural diplomacy and thus support its regional strategy.
In Central Asia, cultural has become a key aspect. For example, Beijing’s educational diplomacy in Central Asia has significantly influenced the region, making China a leading destination for Central Asian students because of scholarships and a more welcoming environment than that sometimes found in Russia. Despite Moscow and Beijing’s repeated affirmations of partnership, and given the Central Asian republics’ heavy reliance on Chinese funding, China has emerged as a significant challenge to Russia’s regional influence also in the cultural and educational field.
In this “cultural geopolitical game” we must include also Turkey, Iran, and the Gulf monarchies.
Thanks to the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), Ankara has promoted its agenda in Central Asia based on pan-Turkism. The so-called ‘Turkic culture’ has links to the pan-Turkism ideology that Ankara has been promoting to create a strong coalition in Eurasia united by a common cultural, historical, and linguistic background. The resurgence of Pan-Turkism in Central and Western Asia could destabilise the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region(XUAR), a key region in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and threaten Russian culture and influence in Central Asia.
Also Tehran, a key Moscow’s partner, has been active in Central Asia promoting its foreign policy aimed at increasing the cultural connection and finding alternative markets to counter Western sanctions. As a key Eurasian energy hub, Iran has interconnected its electricity grids with several regional partners and has engaged in significant initiatives such as the International North-South Transit Corridor (INSTC) and the New Silk Road, with its strategic ports playing a vital role in facilitating trade routes, particularly for Indian goods to Central Asia.
In this context, Gulf Arab monarchies have increased their cooperation in energy, financial, and humanitarian fields with Central Asian nations. In 2024, the first “Central Asia + GCC” Summit in Saudi Arabia marked a milestone in promoting relations and collaborations between the parties. Gulf countries have increasingly invested in Central Asia, establishing economic partnerships with significant financial commitments. The shared religious ties of Islam help connect these regions, yet the long-term implications of the Gulf’s investments and geopolitical strategies in Central Asia will require careful monitoring.
Conclusion
Central Asia has become a key geopolitical region in the Eurasian and international dynamics. In the last weeks, several European countries have shown their interest in enhancing the cooperation with Central Asian nations thought bilateral meeting or the last EU-Central Asia ministerial meeting occurred in Ashgabat. The upcoming summit in Samarkand scheduled on 4 April 2025 will highlight Central Asia’s centrality in the EU foreign policy.
Therefore, in the “cultural geopolitical game” also Brussels will attempt to carve out its own space in the region. Given China, Turkey, Iran, and the Gulf Arab monarchies’ growing influence, Russia is leveraging Rossotrudnichestvo’s projects and educational programs to maintain its presence in Central Asia, a crucial region for its Eurasian foreign policy.
In this context, Central Asian republics must, in their view, balance competing influences to maximise benefits and prevent cultural hegemony from any single power.
SpecialEurasia OSINT Team
*Cover image: The logo of the Rossotrudnichestvo (Credits: Пресс-служба Россотрудничества, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
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