Against the backdrop of intensifying international competition between global players and international conflicts, small and poor countries are forced to look for mechanisms to ensure sovereignty and stability, including through the development of scientific and educational sovereignty. Therefore, the question becomes relevant: under what conditions can universities become effective subjects of international relations and help their states increase competitiveness? The status of universities as subjects of international relations is determined by the degree of their international subjectivity. International subjectivity is defined as the ability of universities to independently, regardless of the requirements of external foreign actors, determine the vectors and policies of international cooperation based on the norms, principles, goals and values of national educational systems. The authors of the article describe the conditions and indicators of such subjectivity. The mechanisms for integrating universities into international relations are considered: internationalization of the academic environment, participation in international associations; international rating. The positive aspects, opportunities, risks and contradictions of introducing these mechanisms into national educational systems are identified. Using the experience of Russian universities as an example, it is shown how, under critical conditions, these mechanisms become instruments of political pressure. Based on statistics, analysis of government decisions and the practice of universities in Kyrgyzstan, their potential as subjects of international relations are analyzed. It has been proven that now and in the near future, Kyrgyz universities will be located on the periphery of the global educational space, but have great potential for regional leadership. Kyrgyzstan needs to focus on developing this potential in the near future.