The article is devoted to a study conducted two years ago within the framework of a broad scientific project aimed at determining the current and prospective capabilities of analytical centers and the expert community of the Russian Federation and the Eurasian Economic Union countries as actors in science diplomacy, capable of ensuring multilateral communication with representatives of analytical centers and expert communities of the countries of the “Global South,” and of forming a relevant and unbiased understanding of Russia’s role in the world and the image of its future for domestic and foreign policy purposes. The research, as part of the project, was conducted in three stages in 2023: in October, the main think tanks in the Kyrgyz Republic were identified; in November, a written survey was conducted via email; and in December, oral interviews with experts were conducted. In the course of the work, the opinions of employees of analytical centers and higher educational institutions of Kyrgyzstan regarding the state and prospects of Russian–Kyrgyz scientific diplomacy were analyzed. Based on the collected data, key trends determining the development of cooperation in this field were identified; recommendations were proposed for further strengthening cooperation between the scientific communities of Russia and Kyrgyzstan. Special attention in expert assessments is paid to the need to separate science from politics and expert knowledge from propaganda, as well as to the importance of maintaining the autonomy of research groups in choosing topics, methodologies, and partners. Russian science diplomacy in Kyrgyzstan is assessed by experts as highly developed, although mainly in the field of the humanities. At the same time, Kyrgyz science diplomacy, according to experts, needs to be improved in accordance with the current needs of the state.
science diplomacy; think tanks; expert opinions; survey; interview; Russian Federation; Kyrgyz Republic; Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).