SURKOV'S IMPERIAL VISION
Vladislav Surkov was once a key architect of Russia's political system and a close adviser to President Vladimir Putin. Over time, however, the man once known as "Putin's brain" fell out of favor in the Kremlin's corridors of power, eventually leaving the Russian political scene altogether. Yet Surkov remains a figure of considerable controversy, with some observers crediting him with continued influence over the Kremlin's worldview. So when he gave a rare interview to France's L'Express newspaper – his first since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2023 – it was the subject of intense interest.
In it, Surkov argues that Ukraine is simply an "artificial political entity," and posits that Russian victory – the "military or military and diplomatic crushing of Ukraine" – is inevitable. More broadly, Surkov used the occasion to expound upon the concept of the "Russian World," (Russkiy Mir) which he himself helped to popularize.
"The Russian world has no borders," Surkov insists. "The Russian world is everywhere there is Russian influence, in one form or another: cultural, informational, military, economic, ideological or humanitarian... In other words, it is everywhere." Moreover, Surkov believes, its expansion is inevitable. "The extent of our influence varies greatly from region to region, but it is never zero," he argues. "So we will spread out in all directions, as far as God wills and as strong as we are. The important thing is not to get carried away and not to take on too big a piece." (L’Express, March 19, 2025)
THE KREMLIN SOLIDIFIES ITS GRIP ON EASTERN UKRAINE...
Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a decree requiring Ukrainian citizens residing in Russia to legalize their immigration status or leave the country by September 10th. The order primarily targets Ukrainian passport holders from Russian-occupied territories such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea. Russian authorities have been pressuring Ukrainians to accept Russian citizenship, with 3.5 million Russian passports reportedly issued to Ukrainian nationals to date, despite condemnation from Ukraine and Western governments that the practice is illegal. The new mandate is part of a broader effort on the part of the Kremlin to expand and strengthen its ability to deport foreign nationals. (The Moscow Times, March 20, 2025)
...AS PRISONERS LANGUISH
Since Russia's incursion into Eastern Ukraine, thousands of Ukrainian citizens have been imprisoned in territories under the control of Russian forces. Detainees face dire conditions, including torture, a lack of legal representation, and indefinite imprisonment without due process. Ukrainian officials estimate that at least 16,000 civilians remain in Russian captivity. The status of these individuals is uncertain, because the system used by Russian authorities to track prisoners does not function in those occupied territories, leaving civilians trapped for years. While some detainees have been released through prisoner exchanges, for most there is no clear legal process. Pressure to adopt Russian identity documents and legal rules has increased in those occupied areas, further complicating efforts to secure the release of detainees. (Wall Street Journal, March 19, 2025)
MORE ON THE MOSCOW-PYONGYANG CONNECTION
Russian security adviser (and former Defense Minister) Sergei Shoigu met recently with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to discuss Ukraine and Russia-U.S. relations, reports TASS. Shoigu's delegation to the DPRK was received by senior officials in Pyongyang, with his discussions with Kim lasting over two hours. Shoigu's visit served as a public affirmation of the increasingly close strategic ties between the Kremlin and the Kim regime. Reports indicate that over 10,000 North Korean troops are fighting in Russia's Kursk region, with Pyongyang also supplying artillery and missiles in exchange for military and economic support. Furthermore, a Russia-North Korea bilateral treaty signed in 2023 is said to include mutual defense commitments. (Reuters, March 21, 2025)
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