kremlin is strengthening its linguistic influence on Central Asia through a forum in Tajikistan
kremlin is using the Central Asian International Economic Forum in Tajikistan to intensify its “language pressure” on Central Asian states.
▫️ Although officially framed as a platform for enhancing economic cooperation, the forum’s central theme was the promotion of russian language across Central Asia.
russian officials and propagandists at the event emphasized that russian language allegedly opens doors to business, science, and access to higher education in russian federation. A leading role in promoting russian language was played by yevgeny primakov, head of the government agency “rossotrudnichestvo,” which—under the guise of humanitarian outreach—systematically works to expand russian influence beyond its borders.
By promoting the russian language in Central Asia, kremlin seeks to expand the reach of russian propaganda, blur the national identities of local populations, and build a so-called “common russian space.” This effort is part of a broader strategy aimed at reinforcing russia’s economic and military-political influence in the region.
