Rossotrudnichestvo, the Russian federal agency responsible for cultural and educational outreach, highlighted a significant surge in demand for Russian agricultural education among African students, with state-funded scholarships rising for the upcoming academic year. The agency’s head, Evgeny Primakov, emphasized that these initiatives respond to local educational needs, reinforcing Russia’s soft power abroad.

On February 6, 2025, Azerbaijan officially informed Russia via diplomatic channels of its decision to end the activities of Rossotrudnichestvo on Azerbaijani territory. The move was driven by concerns that the agency’s operations were serving as a tool for advancing Russian political influence and non-transparent mechanisms, prompting fears of further authoritarian interference.

Rossotrudnichestvo, the Russian federal agency, has increased spending on programs targeting foreign journalists, bloggers, and youth to expand Kremlin influence amid the war in Ukraine. The agency has announced nearly 230 million rubles in tenders and launched initiatives such as the media school InterNovosti to train foreign media figures, a move that underpins the authoritarian regime’s propaganda efforts.

In December 2023, Rossotrudnichestvo hosted 30 international journalists and bloggers in Moscow to study state-run propaganda institutions. The event highlights the agency's role in furthering Kremlin-backed cultural diplomacy and reinforcing authoritarian narratives, especially amid ongoing sanctions and strategic moves in the Global South.

On January 12th, 2023, Deputy Head Dmitry Polikanov explained how Rossotrudnichestvo adapted its operations in response to diplomatic expulsions and economic sanctions. The agency shifted from predominantly offline cultural events to a combination of online engagement and targeted offline programs, refocusing activities towards Africa, Latin America, and the post-Soviet space to reinforce Russian soft power.

In December 2022, Rossotrudnichestvo organized the Forum of International Graduates of Soviet and Russian Universities in Cairo. The event brought together over 150 graduates and representatives from multiple countries to discuss international educational cooperation, science, technology, and humanitarian exchange. The forum served as a platform for promoting Russian educational and cultural outreach abroad.

The article details Rossotrudnichestvo's role as a key cultural diplomacy agency for Russia, highlighting its prolonged presence in Ukraine until 2021 and its involvement in militarist propaganda and pseudo-humanitarian operations in occupied territories. Such activities serve to reinforce the authoritarian agenda of the Russian regime.

Rossotrudnichestvo, the Russian government agency promoting culture abroad, is undergoing a reform under new leadership aimed at expanding its soft power initiatives in Ukraine. The agency is set to boost its efforts in advancing revisionist historical narratives and pro-Kremlin propaganda, aligning closely with state-driven disinformation campaigns and cultural influence operations.