Russia has not rejected yet its idea on the "near abroad" as the zone of its exclusive interests, it appears from a collection of research results of the Tallinn-based International Center for Defense Studies and analysts from five other countries presented in the Estonian capital on Friday.

In its relations with the adjacent countries, Russia implements a wide spectrum of tools beginning with economic sanctions (Ukraine) and ending with military force (Georgia), they said.

The analysts observed that Russia increasingly demonstrates its intention to use the so-called soft power in combination with the other tools of influence with the aim of supporting pro-Kremlin interest groups in Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Baltic countries and bringing about pro-Russia changes in the adjacent countries' domestic policy.

The researchers found that even though on the international scene Russia is declaring its determination to fight human rights violations, in reality it struggles for strengthening its influence in the post-Soviet space. "The case of Moldova is a characteristic example -- disregarding the fact that Moldova has complied with Russia's demands in the sphere of 'protection of compatriots' interests', Moscow continues interfering in Moldova's politics," they said.

The studies showed that Moscow uses all possible means to tie Russians residing in other countries to Russia, such as granting them Russian passports and plans to start issuing the so-called compatriot's cards to Russian-speakers in post-Soviet countries.

Russian NGOs, foundations and pro-Moscow organizations abroad are used to fan separatist tendencies in countries like Moldova and Georgia and increase influence in domestic policy (Ukraine, Latvia), and serve as "allies' interest supporting groups" in Russia's foreign policy implementation process, the analysts found.

The researches also showed that Russia's programs for increasing loyalty among Russian-speakers of post-Soviet countries work against society integration processes in their countries of residence.

"Russia's system of values stresses the role of the historical interpretation of World War II. Moscow harshly denounces the countries (Baltic states, Ukraine) where Russia's specific historical interpretation is not accepted," the authors of the collection observe.

The analysts conclude that in order to reduce the risks posed by Moscow's compatriots policy it is important for the neighboring countries to step up democratization and integration processes in which the European Union's Eastern Partnership program is of particular importance.

The research project was carried out with the participation of six organizations: the Latvian Center for East European Policy Studies, Lithuania's Center for Geopolitical Studies, Foreign Policy Association of Moldova, International Center for Geopolitical Studies of Georgia, School for Policy Analysis at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (Ukraine) and Estonia's International Center for Defense Studies. 

Source: http://www.bns.ee