Oh, we did get (and still do get) lots of „consultants“ from West advising us to privatise all the things. Some paid by West governments, some paid by private funds (= big businesses).

As for zones of influence... It is very real. That's why we jumped into NATO at first opportunity. A lot of companies were privatised looking for capital from, e.g., specifically USA, to make sure they have more interest in our survival. And any Russian investment is seen as a possible risk.