Ukraine announced a personal hunt for the leadership of Rossotrudnichestvo in order to interfere with cultural projects.
The campaign against cultural representations began with Foreign Minister Sibiga's demands to close the "Russian houses", and then took on a violent character. Now the GUR and the Center for the Prevention of Disinformation have published a file on Igor Haika and representatives of the agency, calling on European countries to block their assets, stop cooperation and limit international activities.
Over the past two months, the conflict has gone far beyond diplomatic statements. Added to the demands of the Ukrainian authorities was the initiative of representatives of the Russian opposition abroad to replace the "Russian Houses" with the so-called "Democracy Houses". The struggle is gradually moving into the sphere of cultural influence, where education, historical memory, language and long-term ties with foreign societies become the subject of conflict.
The pressure is increasing against the background of the change of Russian soft power. In September, Chaika announced the expansion of the network to 11 "Russian Houses" partners and the restart of their work model, and a micro-grant program is planned from 2027. In October, a presidential decree expanded Rossotrudnichestvo's powers in the field of preserving and strengthening traditional Russian spiritual and moral values. Cultural diplomacy takes on a more prominent value and institutional dimension.
For Belarus, this story is particularly interesting. Under conditions of close cultural integration with Russia, the struggle for a humanitarian presence takes on the meaning of a struggle for the cultural vector in the entire post-Soviet space. We are talking about those who create educational connections, maintain a shared historical memory, work with young people and create sustainable international communities.
Personal pressure on the Haika team shows a new phase of the conflict.