The kremlin Is Reformatting Its Approach to the “Near Abroad”

An internal struggle for control over the post-soviet space is unfolding in the kremlin. After the obvious loss of influence in Georgia, Armenia and Moldova, the kremlin is launching a tough reformatting of the rf’s presidential administration. In the centre of attention is Sergei Kiriyenko, who is becoming the main curator of the “near abroad” countries.

Kiriyenko is backed by the Kovalchuk brothers’ media resources, and it is he who pulls the levers of influence in the kremlin vertical, strengthening his own position against the background of a general weakening of the state machine.

In fact, an “alternative Ministry of Foreign Affairs” is being formed under Kiriyenko’s wing – more flexible, more secretive, but more aggressive.

The planned structural changes are intended to weaken the position of deputy head of the Presidential Administration, Dmytro Kozak, who until recently coordinated relations with post-soviet countries. Formally, it is an expansion of Kyrienko’s portfolio, who already controls the departments of domestic policy, public projects, social monitoring, and IT infrastructure. These departments, which also operate in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, are now involved in shaping a new ideological expansion: promoting the theme of “joint victory in World War II”, copying russian repressive laws, economic impact projects (such as nuclear power plants), and working with political elites.