PROSPECTS FOR THE “RUSSIAN WORLD” IN THE GEOPOLITICAL DIMENSION

The article examines the essence, basic principles, and methods of formation of the so-called “Russian world” by the leadership of the Russian Federation, as well as the prospects for the implementation of this geopolitical project. Russia sought to ensure its political, economic, cultural and informational dominance over the newly independent states in the geospace of the former Soviet Union. The geopolitical (and at the same time, geocultural) project “Russian world” was founded to create an informal empire in the post-Soviet space under the control of the Russian Federation, as well as to expand the sphere of its political influence in many countries of the world. The concept of “Russian world” was created to substantiate the ideological, spiritual, and cultural affinity of the population of the newly independent countries, the commonality of their geopolitical interests, and the grandiose prospects of the integration of these states under the auspices of Russia. The leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), headed by Patriarch Kirill, is making a lot of efforts to popularize the “Russian world”, and networks of church organizations subordinate to the ROC are actively promoting ideas about uniting the peoples of “Holy Russia”. It has been established that the implementation of the geopolitical project is carried out thanks to the powerful political support and funding from the authorities of the Russian Federation. The Federal Agency “Rossotrudnichestvo”, the “Russian world” Foundation with its networks, the International Council of Russian Compatriots, and other organizations direct their activities to the popularization of the Russian language and culture in the countries of the world, the consolidation of Russian diasporas abroad, the enhancement of Russia's authority, and the strengthening of its political influence. In the contemporary conditions of Russian aggression against Ukraine, the structures of the “Russian world” in the territory controlled by the Ukrainian State have practically come to naught. The further development of Russia is probably to take place in accordance with the geopolitical model of the “Surrounded Fortress”. The “Russian world” project will have prospects, first of all, on the territory of Russia itself, for ideologically ensuring the stability of the political regime and preserving the internal integrity of the federal state.