The increase in resources allocation and Russia Today "Russia Today" only confirms the desire to consolidate the Russian influence in the international arena of information.

Russian policy analysis in the field of information shows that the tip of The Kremlin is ready to spend astronomical sums to improve their own image and promote their ideas, focusing is not only a Russian-speaking audience.

"Sputnik" was announced the launch of the Russian state-multimedia news agency in late 2014. On the decision was made in 2015, the state level to begin broadcasts in 30 languages ​​in 34 countries worldwide. Scheduled to open in the edition of 25 foreign cities, among them - Helsinki, Cairo and Rio de Janeiro. Interestingly, the "voice of the Kremlin" Dmitry Kiselev, commenting on the creation of "satellite", said that he "is designed for people who are tired of the unilateral hostile propaganda and need an alternative view."

In early 2015 it was reported that in 2015-2017 the Russian Federation will increase funding for the main mouthpieces Kemlёvskoy propaganda Russia Today and "Russia Today" at 23 billion rubles to 45.7 billion. rubles of budgetary funds to 69 billion. rubles (more than $ 1 billion).

Lest anyone doubt that the increase in funding is a planned event and has nothing to do with the information war that the Russian Federation announced to the world, it was also announced that the financing will be carried out within the framework of the state program "Information Society". Article Programme "Russia's participation in the international exchange of information" is the best suited for the promotion of global information, which has become the work of Russian media in 2014.

State program of the Russian Federation: from the "Information Society" to information aggression

Russian State Program "Information Society" was adopted by the Decree of the Russian Government back in 2010. The aim of the program was to improve the quality of life of citizens through the use of information and telecommunication technologies. The program was initially dividedand two stages: from 2011 to 2014 and from 2010 to 2015. Responsible executor of the program is the Ministry of Communications and Mass Media, and among the participants of the program appear on the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense, and the Federal Security Service and the Federal Service of the Russian Federation Protection

The first phase of the program a total failure and remained only on paper. In 2011, only been carried out preparatory activities, and 2012-2013, the Ministry of Communications and Mass Media did not really engaged in the coordination of program activities, and it has been realized only by 1.1%.

Then, Dmitry Medvedev demanded to punish the perpetrators of that program "froze." The culprits punished - was followed by the dismissal of officials and a review of approaches to the implementation of the Programme. It was during this period of the Russian Federation has launched an information war, and the implementation of the provisions of the Programme was the best cover for redirecting allocations from the state budget for the promotion of information.

The effectiveness of the programs will be evaluated by the audience figures of TV channel Russia TOday, the total number of hours broadcast international news agency "Russia today" a day for foreign audiences, as well as citations in the foreign media.

Embracing the immensity

In 2015, Russia Today broadcast should reach 135 hours per day compared to 94 hours in 2014, and by 2020 to reach 166 hours. With regard to the citation of materials MIA "Russia today" in the foreign media, then in 2015 this figure is expected to increase by almost half as compared to the 2014 year - up to 13.5 thousand quoted messages, and by 2020 -. To 16.6 thousand.

Cooperation with the US company of Ketchum, which began in 2006, was fully justified - it was supposed to be the key to the successful promotion of Russian ideas in the world of mass. Being one of the oldest companies that has more than 90 years of experience in communications and public relations, of Ketchum boasts such clients like Time Warner, Disney, Fedex.

Lobbyists GPlus Europe, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ketchum, specialized in recruiting former officials of the EU and distinguished journalists who have defended andthe action and the interests of the Kremlin elite in Europe and the United States. They have become one of the most valuable tools used by the Russian government in an attempt to create an image of Russia as a reliable and promising partner.

According to the magazine Forbes that one of the major Russian customers of the company - Concern "Gazprom" - has already stopped her cooperation, and it is possible that his example will be followed and the official Kremlin. Even today, the US company reduced the number of employees working with Russia, from 36 to 10.

In general, it is not surprising, because in view of the current foreign policy pursued by the Russian Federation, it is difficult to imagine that a traditional PR, even from such a pro like Ketchum bring desired results to the Kremlin. Nevertheless, Moscow in this just do not stop. On the contrary, now is likely to seek new forms of promotion of their own interests abroad, is searching for new partners.

Russian obstacles to the Ukrainian-American dialogue

Pro-Russian lobby in the US Congress struggles to counter the structural changes in the developedand the Ukrainian-American relations, especially in the context of the United States given our country. According to The Washington Post deputy of the House of Representatives, Chairman of the Subcommittee of the House of Representatives, Republican Dana Rohrabacher - Simpatico longtime Putin. A recent publication demonstrated that unmistakable lobbying the Kremlin elite has found its display, in particular, during the hearing on the Ukrainian crisis, before the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia and Emerging Threats July 29 last year. Then Rohrabacher chosen as an expert for this hearing Anthony Selba. Selba - executive director of the NGO of the American Institute in Ukraine (American Institute in Ukraine), and also on sovmetitelstvu Director PR company Global Strategic Communications Group. This company since 2005, lobbied the interests of the leadership of the party "Rodina", which was then headed by Dmitry Rogozin, Deputy Prime Minister.

Such a specific selection of a "specialist" who was to comment on the situation in YKrajina in Congress, with a high degree of probability was the wish of the American Russian friends. Definitely, this is just one episode of painstaking work, which continues to lead the Kremlin's hands and voice in the foreign environment of the ruling elites.

Recently announced by the EU plans to create a "counterpropaganda" channel in the Russian-speaking audience in the "Eastern Partnership" countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine) and the EU look like a decent response to development of the Russian informational web. The fact that the Russian Foreign Ministry criticized the creation of the channel plans are such that it is not consistent with the principles of freedom of speech, it says that such a step is perceived in Moscow as a challenge that needs to respond.

Lots of truthful information about the peculiarities of Russia's foreign policy clearly complicate the implementation of PR campaigns, aimed at maintaining a positive image of Russia. The question of how far can go the Russian Federation in his invisible presence in the US and European government agencies, using lobbying structures are still open, but created snechatlenie that, like a snake-eating its own tail, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain a decent PR because narostaet and is almost naked aggression towards Ukraine. Apparently, the emphasis will be on lobbying pressure by a large international business, as well as the switching of attention of European audiences from their outrages in eastern Ukraine and Crimea to other problems. Is it difficult to come up with the Kremlin the next problem? Not at all.