Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
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A meeting between students, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak and Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov took place at the All-Russian Foreign Trade Academy of the Ministry of Economic Development. The distinguished guests observed the negotiations taking place in various languages.
During negotiations, students, acting as exporters and importers, agree on key terms of the deal: payments, logistics, delivery times, and distribution schemes.
"The most important thing is not to simply negotiate according to a template. Negotiations are an art form, in which creativity is essential. And Russia occupies a strong position in this art form: we have a huge number of trade and economic ties with many countries. We are leading exporters in a number of areas. At the same time, we also import a lot. Imports amount to approximately $250 billion, and exports exceed $300 billion, depending on market conditions. There is a great deal of work to be done in this area, and it will be up to you to ensure these processes in the future," Alexander Novak told the students.
The Deputy Prime Minister also invited students to express their views on the current geopolitical situation related to trade wars and tariffs, as well as how these processes could impact Russia's trade with various countries.
Elizaveta Irkhina, a student in the Foreign Trade Management Department at the Russian Foreign Trade Academy of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, who participated in the negotiation session, shared her perspective: "We've realized we can do everything ourselves, and tremendous opportunities have opened up. People often write that we're being restricted and imposing barriers, but the truth is, it's impossible to restrict Russia. No matter the circumstances, the Russian people always find solutions—any restrictions only strengthen us. Now we produce ourselves and find everything we need within the country. This isn't a problem, but rather a great opportunity for growth and development."
The "VAVT School of Negotiations" project has been running at the academy since 2020. Its goal is to instill in young professionals the practical negotiation skills necessary for working in an international and intercultural environment. Each semester, participants undergo professional development programs where they master communication techniques in Russian, English, Chinese, Arabic, and other languages.
"We're actively expanding our case studies, striving to make them as realistic as possible. To achieve this, we engage companies that already have real-world exposure to foreign markets. Practical experts also act as judges, evaluating negotiation sessions and providing students with detailed feedback. In addition to business experts, we always invite colleagues specializing in regional studies. These are people who understand the cultural aspects of negotiations, help students understand the nuances, and offer advice on how to avoid mistakes," said Vittoria Idrisova, Rector of the Russian Foreign Trade Academy.
Over the five years of the project's existence, more than 500 students have completed training at the "School of Negotiations." Many of them are now winners and runners-up at national and international negotiation championships.
Graduates of the program confidently conduct discussions in several languages, master the art of argumentation, and are able to find innovative solutions in the most complex business situations. But most importantly, they become part of a professional community united by an interest in business communication strategies and tactics.
The Academy plans to replicate this successful experience in Russia and abroad.
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