From May to November 2012 International Centre for Geopolitical Studies (ICGS) implemented research “Religion as the Instrument of Russian Foreign Policy towards Neighboring Countries Georgia, Latvia, Ukraine”. Experts of politology from Georgia, Ukraine and Latvia were involved in this project (Tengiz Pkhaladze and Tornike Sharashenidze (Georgia),  Andis Kudors (Latvia), Olexiy  Haran (Ukraine)). At the end of the research the book “ Religion as the Instrument of Russian Foreign Policy towards Neighboring Countries. Georgia, Latvia, Ukraine ” was published.

The book is not a research of religion as such. Rather, it deals with the use of religious institutions as an instrument of the Russian Federation foreign policy that often becomes a mechanism of manipulation of the society and people as well as a means of strengthening influence upon other countries. Political regimes, which in essence are far from values, make an easy use of religion, having double advantage: trustfulness of believers and one’s own immorality.

This book exposes the role of the Patriarchate of Moscow in the Kremlin foreign policy. Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) as an institute is increasingly becoming an obedient weapon of the Russian concept of “Soft Power” that in the hands of the current political leaders of RF is taking on growing dimensions and dangerous forms.