WASHINGTON — The U.S. Agency for International Development’s new “Countering Malign Kremlin Influence” framework should not be seen as an attempt to divide countries between the United States and Russia, according to agency officials.
“This is not about giving countries that we’re helping with our assistance a choice of whether they need to go with Russia, or the United States, or the European Union. What we’re saying is, we want to give the countries that we’re working with the ability to make their own choices,” said Brock Bierman, USAID assistant administrator for Europe and Eurasia.
USAID released the framework, also known as CMKI, on July 4, on the sidelines of the G-7 development ministerial in Paris. The framework, which focuses on countries where Russia has exerted influence — and where USAID also works — includes four main objectives, summarized in a three-page document: counter efforts to undermine democratic institutions and the rule of law; resist the manipulation of information; reduce energy vulnerabilities; and reduce economic vulnerabilities.
About the author
Michael Igoe@AlterIgoe
Michael Igoe is a Senior Reporter with Devex, based in Washington, D.C. He covers U.S. foreign aid, global health, climate change, and development finance. Prior to joining Devex, Michael researched water management and climate change adaptation in post-Soviet Central Asia, where he also wrote for EurasiaNet. Michael earned his bachelor's degree from Bowdoin College, where he majored in Russian, and his master’s degree from the University of Montana, where he studied international conservation and development.
