Russia’s main international aid agency is aiming to expand its global role by filling the void left by the dismantled US Agency for International Development (USAID), especially in former Soviet states. But the ambitious plan faces serious financial and reputation challenges.
Yevgeny Primakov, head of Rossotrudnichestvo, told Russian outlet RBC that his agency must grow to protect Russia’s national interests abroad. He argued that development aid is not just diplomacy, but a strategic necessity, especially in countries that once belonged to the Soviet Union.
“We live in an active world, and we must be active,” he said. “This is not charity – this is beneficial for the country.”
Founded in 2008, Rossotrudnichestvo’s mission is to support Russians living abroad and promote goodwill through humanitarian efforts. It currently operates in 70 countries, mostly in former Soviet states and the European Union. Its most visible presence is through cultural centres known as Russia Houses.
Primakov wants to model the agency on USAID, but he admitted that even in the best scenario, Rossotrudnichestvo would only reach a fraction of USAID’s budget and influence. The agency’s current budget is $77 million, but Primakov is seeking a major increase to $1.5 billion. Even if granted, he admitted it’s unclear whether the agency could use the money efficiently, as only 25% of its current funds go to actual projects — the rest cover administration. In comparison, top-performing U.S. aid groups keep administrative costs below 25%.
The agency’s image abroad is also a major concern. Critics and intelligence agencies in countries like the Czech Republic accuse Rossotrudnichestvo of acting as a front for espionage. In 2024, a Warsaw Institute report described its Russia House in Prague as involved in propaganda and intelligence activities. Similar concerns led Azerbaijan to close its Russia House in early 2025, while Kyrgyzstan detained an employee over alleged attempts to recruit locals as mercenaries for the war in Ukraine.
Primakov dismissed such allegations as politically driven, blaming Western influence and local elites trained in the West for tensions with former Soviet states. He also criticized Russian communities abroad, particularly in Azerbaijan, for not showing enough loyalty to Moscow’s agenda.
Despite the setbacks, Primakov said the agency's top focus will remain the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). “If we lose influence in neighbouring countries... it will be catastrophic,” he warned
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