Socio-Humanitarian Policy of Russia in the Post-Soviet Space: A Differentiated Model of Regional Development and the Potential of the EAEU

The paper examines Russia’s socio-humanitarian policy in the post-Soviet space focusing on how priority areas of engagement are formed. The author proceeds from the idea that the post-Soviet space is not uniform, and it requires a differentiated approach where effectiveness depends not on the scale of presence, but on how strong and sustainable the reproducible ties are. Particular attention is given to the EAEU’s role as a foundation for building stable socio-humanitarian connections through education, migration, professional and communication initiatives based on already established Eurasian institutions. Using Central Asia as a case study, the article shows that even where historically rooted ties remain strong, Russia’s socio-humanitarian policy faces development problems related to the increasing competition from other external actors, changes in the region’s social environment, and the rise of multi-vector foreign policies among the states. The article also highlights the role of education as a key area for long-term cooperation with regions as well as the problem of the presence of Russian programs and connections does not always lead to the formation of lasting engagement or a stable positioning. The article argues that Russia’s approach in the post-Soviet space cannot follow a single model, and different regions require different strategies taking into account their social, political, and cultural contexts. The EAEU is seen as a basis for building more stable forms of cooperation by linking economic, educational, and communication processes. The main conclusion is that the success depends not on the number of separate initiatives, but on the ability to build long-term and stable connections adapted to the specific conditions of each region.