Dmitry Savolov, a member of the Russian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and Director General of the Russian Center for People’s Diplomacy, announced that the organization will open its representative office in Kabul by the end of 2026. He said the aim of this initiative is to promote the Russian language and introduce Russian history and culture in Afghanistan.
Savolov told TASS on Thursday, on the sidelines of the 17th “Russia–Islamic World” Economic Forum in Kazan, that talks for establishing the Kabul office are ongoing, and the center hopes to begin implementing its programs in Afghanistan by the end of this year.
According to him, the center’s main focus will be on promoting the Russian language, introducing Russian history and culture, and implementing educational programs, especially in schools and universities.
The Russian Center for People’s Diplomacy currently operates in nine African countries as well as Abkhazia, with most of its programs carried out in cultural and educational sectors.
The 17th “Russia–Islamic World” Economic Forum is being held in Kazan from 22 to 27 Sawr (May 12–17), and a Taliban delegation is also attending the event.
Savolov has previously met with Gul Hassan, the Taliban ambassador in Moscow, and discussed the expansion of bilateral cooperation.
The Russian Center for People’s Diplomacy is a registered organization in Russia, which began its activities in 2024. The center operates with the goal of developing people’s diplomacy and promoting Russian language, culture, and history in other countries.
Its activities include establishing “Russian Houses,” implementing educational, cultural, and scientific programs in schools and universities, and strengthening informal relations between nations.
The organization works closely with the Russian state in humanitarian cooperation but identifies itself as a non-governmental entity.
So far, the center has primarily focused on African countries, and Afghanistan is now included in its expansion plans. Some experts consider such organizations as part of Russia’s cultural and linguistic tools to expand soft power influence in target countries.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
