The name of the Deputy, journalist and public activist Yevgeny Primakov as the most likely candidate for the post of head of Rossotrudnichestvo “b” called several sources in Russian state institutions. Previously, Mr. Primakov said in his interview to “Kommersant” that Russia’s foreign and defense policy “extremely successful”, “but you need not only to win diplomatic battles and wars, but still be able to win the hearts and minds of the people.”That Eleonora Mitrofanova will soon leave from the post of head of Rossotrudnichestvo (Federal Agency for Commonwealth of Independent States, compatriots living abroad and international humanitarian cooperation), recently wrote a few telegrams-channels, and then RBC. According to the publication, she has already announced to the Agency’s staff on his retirement, we are now looking for candidates for a new leader. One of the contenders for the post of head of Rossotrudnichestvo, the interlocutors RBC called the Deputy Eleonora Mitrofanova Mikhail Bryukhanov.Meanwhile, Kommersant’s sources in the government of the Russian Federation said that the decision on the nomination has already been made: for the post of head of the Agency they designate a Deputy, journalist and public activist Yevgeny Primakov. That he has a chance to lead this structure, also previously reported by Telegram-channels, and the Colossal portal. Interlocutors “” confirm this information. According to one of them, the relevant documents have already been prepared.44-year-old Yevgeny Primakov — Deputy of the State Duma of the seventh convocation from the Saratov region (“United Russia”), member of the Duma Committee on international Affairs, journalist (in 2002 came on the TVs a war correspondent, worked for NTV and First channel, 2015 — author and presenter of the program “International review” on TV channel “Russia-24”; worked on radio and in print media), the nonprofit organization “Russian humanitarian mission”. From 2011 to 2014 he worked in the office of the high Commissioner for refugees United Nations Turkey and Jordan. He graduated from the historical-philological faculty of RSUH. The grandson of the famous Russian politician and diplomat Yevgeny Primakov.Rossotrudnichestvo was established in September 2008 in accordance with the presidential decree. The Agency, under the Ministry of foreign Affairs, is responsible for promoting a positive image of Russia, support for Russian language, work with compatriots and humanitarian assistance. Has an extensive network of branches: 73 the Russian centre of science and culture in 62 countries and 24 members, composed of embassies in 21 countries. The head of the Agency shall be appointed by the President on the proposal of the government. Eleonora Mitrofanova head of his December 19, 2017.About what should be Russia’s “soft power,” Yevgeny Primakov said in an interviewth “y”: “Our foreign and defence policy is extremely successful, but we need not only to win diplomatic battles and wars, but still be able to win the hearts and minds of the people: the Russian bear should smile at the world. But the smile need to see all of his teeth.” According to him, “the authorities understand this well, but there is a certain administrative inertia”. “We had the necessary skills in the Soviet era, but we lost and now restored”,— said Yevgeny Primakov.He gave to understand that in the current form of the Russian “soft power” it does not seem effective: “When we started to restore the old skill that has largely gone the formal route. You need to exercise “soft power”? Let’s have a conference “For peace in the world.” And always with coffee breaks and a buffet… But this may not be the only content of “soft power”. “Soft power” works, where and when it is gratitude, sympathy and solidarity. If not, all came to nothing. People had coffee and left”.”Russia has spent and currently spends a significant amount on international humanitarian projects. Another thing is how effectively these funds are spent,— said Yevgeny Primakov.— In my opinion, in any conventional Kabul is much more useful to make a program for the treatment of drinking water than to erect a monument to Alexander Pushkin. But we decided mostly to erect monuments and conduct round tables”.In an interview with “Kommersant” Yevgeny Primakov did not comment on the possible future appointment.Note that attempts to reform the Rossotrudnichestvo taken more than once. For example, the current head of the Federation Council Committee on international Affairs Konstantin Kosachev at the time, tried to turn it into the Russian equivalent of the U.S. Agency for international development (USAID). Under these plans with the Association of compatriots endowed with new powers, especially in the field of so-called “international development” and promised to allocate additional funding. However, the Agency’s budget was not increased, were not prepared to restructure their operations and other departments, related to “international development assistance” (primarily the Ministry of Finance), reform stalled. Elena Chernenko
