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Friends, we've extended the application period for the "Challenges of Multipolarity" Competition and Workshop!

⏳ We look forward to receiving your applications until January 21, 2026!

Workshop Dates:
🔘February 5, 2026 – March 16, 2026 - online theoretical and practical stages
🔘April 27–29, 2026 - in-person stage in Moscow

Terms of participation:
🔘Aged 18 to 35
🔘A student or young researcher in one of the fields
🔘Proficiency in English at a minimum of B1 level

👉🏻 Register on our website!

😌 The event will be held with the grant support of The Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund. You can read more about the event here.

Have you already applied?

The Threat Myth and the Reality of Deficits: Why the EU's Military Ambitions Are Unsustainable

🌏 Friends, this week, our team's experts, Pierre Kamina and Arina Salivon, prepared a report for our friends at «Газета.ru».

The experts examined the pressing question of how likely an armed conflict between Russia and Europe is in the current geopolitical context, and, most importantly, what consequences it might lead to.

Economically, Europe, despite its rhetoric, remains critically dependent on Russian energy. The Guardian cites data showing that, as of the end of 2025, the EU will remain the largest buyer of Russian natural gas. In the event of a military conflict, supplies will cease immediately, posing serious risks for EU industry.

🌎You can read the full original text at this link

Authors: Pierre Kamina and Arina Salivon

🌐 The analysis is presented exclusively for «Газета.ru» in Russian and can be translated via an in-browser translator.

🇻🇪 In the Name of God

On January 3, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Iván Gil Pinto announced that the United States had attacked civilian and military targets in Caracas. Trump later confirmed the strikes and announced the capture and removal of Maduro and his wife from the country. They were taken to a Brooklyn detention center in southern New York. On January 5, Maduro and his wife appeared in federal court in the Southern District of New York. US authorities accuse them of involvement in drug trafficking. The defendants pleaded not guilty.

🌏 Political Analyst & International Relations Expert from Iran, Mehdi Honardideh, has prepared an article especially for us as part of the #AnalyticswithoutBorders series. In his commentary, Mehdi examines the causes of the Venezuelan crisis.

Such interventions are not without precedent. In 1989, the United States invaded Panama under a similar justification. In this context, Washington has designated several groups as terrorist organizations, including “Tren de Aragua” in Venezuela and the “Sinaloa” cartel in Mexico. However, these claims represent only the surface of the issue.

🔗 You can read the full material at the link

Author: Mehdi Honardideh

🌟Merry Christmas!

On January 7th, the entire Orthodox world celebrates the Nativity of Christ. This day marks the end of the long, forty-day Nativity Fast and the beginning of the Holy Days (Sviatki).

We extend our warmest wishes for peace, serenity, and good health on this holiday. May this day be spent in the circle of loved ones and become the start of a bright period.

🌏 Sincerely yours,
The CIIC Team

🇻🇪🇺🇸«A Thorn in the Side». Here's Why the US Attacked Venezuela

🌏 Friends, in light of the events in Venezuela, our expert Darya Korchemnaya, a specialist in Latin America, provided commentary for «Газета.ru».

On the night of January 3, 2026, the prolonged saber-rattling by the US administration towards Venezuela escalated into a full-scale military operation. Trump's actions in other Latin American countries—unconditional backing for Milei in Argentina and Asfura in Honduras, which played a significant role in determining election outcomes—foreshadowed that the Venezuelan issue would not remain unresolved. Moreover, Venezuela had long been a thorn in the side of the United States as a key stronghold of leftist anti-imperialist ideas, and one possessing vast oil reserves. Resolving the Venezuelan issue is a key move by Trump, intended to show the countries of the region that the US controls the Western Hemisphere.

🧷You can read the full article at the link below.

Author: Darya Korchemnaya

🌐 The analysis is presented exclusively for “Газета.ru” in Russian and can be translated via an in-browser translator.

🇻🇪Statement by the Center for International Interaction and Cooperation Against U.S. Armed Aggression Toward Venezuela

🌏 The Center for International Interaction and Cooperation resolutely condemns the armed aggression by the United States against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela as a gross violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.

Today, we are observing with deep indignation and grave concern the escalation of aggression against Venezuela's sovereignty. In these difficult times, our thoughts and hearts remain with the fraternal people of Venezuela, to whom we wish fortitude and courage in the face of external pressure.

We stand ready to support humanitarian efforts aimed at assisting the most vulnerable segments of the population affected by the consequences of U.S. armed aggression.

🙏🏻 We hope for the swift restoration of peace and stability.

🌟 Happy New Year 2026!🌟

May the final days of the outgoing year be filled with peaceful reflection, and may the coming 2026 open up new horizons!

🌟We wish for each of your projects to find resonance and for your ideas to find realization. May the dialogue between cultures and nations grow ever more productive, and our community ever stronger and more united.

May the New Year bring us all more shared successes, exciting collaborations, and bright moments. Thank you for being with us!

Happy New Year! May it bring peace, creativity, and breakthrough ideas! 🌟

🎓🚀 Studfest 2026 — for international students in Moscow!

If you’re an international student or young professional in Moscow — come to Studfest 2026 🙌

❓ Why to join? ❓

✅ To hear top speakers
✅ To dive into the entrepreneurial scene
✅ To connect with employers
✅ To join the community of international talents in Moscow
✅ To take part in StudQuest with prizes from partners:

⚠️ A key part of Studfest is StudQuest (1 Dec 2025 – 18 Jan 2026 — online): complete online challenges, earn points, and exchange them for gifts. The top participants will compete in the offline final at the festival.

⚠️ On January 23, 2026, Studfest takes place at VTB Arena. Guests can expect a festive show with entrepreneurs and speakers, plus debates, intellectual games, and an interactive exhibition.

✅ How to join
1. Register on the website
2. Get your Studfest ticket
3. Join StudQuest

🔥Your feedback is our reward

We're receiving your most sincere and touching video stories—stories about how the «Horizons of Opportunities» program ignited new flames and opened up new paths.

🇷🇺 Today we are sharing a message from Artem Tsoi, a Russian participant who studied at the International Economic School.

Every word you say is priceless. Thank you for this trust, for your sincere emotions, and for sharing your impressions.

✨ With immense gratitude and eager anticipation for new encounters! See you at the program in 2026!

🌟 Dear friends, Merry Christmas!

On this special Christmas Eve, we would like to extend our warmest wishes to everyone who shares our belief in the power of dialogue and mutual understanding.

🌟 May the Christmas holiday bring warmth, hope, and a spirit of unity to every home—a unity that transcends all borders.

From the bottom of our hearts, we wish you and your families peace, kindness, and joy this festive season!

🌟 Merry Christmas!

The team of the Center for International Interaction and Cooperation 🌏

✨Diplomatic Evening of Traditions: Bridges of Friendship Built Through Culture

On December 19th, Kazan became a hub of global cultural exchange at the «Diplomatic Evening of Traditions» organized by the Academy of Youth Diplomacy. Guests embarked on a unique journey across continents, where diplomats and representatives from Iran, China, Ecuador, and Nigeria unveiled the magic of their homelands.

🇪🇨 It is especially rewarding when this mission is championed by our alumni. Ariel Medina, a graduate of the «Horizons of Opportunities» program and President of the Ecuadorian Student Association at the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, warmly shared the vibrant traditions of Christmas and New Year celebrations in Latin America.

🌏 Such moments are our proudest achievement. We see the seeds of friendship and understanding we plant blossom into tangible action. It is incredibly important for us to witness our alumni becoming true ambassadors of international cooperation, continuing to build bridges between cultures and nations.

🌍 The 12th Festival of North Caucasus Peoples' Culture Was Held in Bishkek

The vibrant event uniting cultures and peoples took place at the Kozhomkul Sports Palace — the 12th International Festival «Culture of the Peoples of the North Caucasus».

By the numbers:
💙Over 2,500 spectators — a full house at the capital's largest concert venue.
💙 More than 300 performers on one stage.
💙 A vibrant blend of tradition and modern stage production.

The audience witnessed a unique show: spirited dances, folk singing and music, colorful national costumes — all showcasing the diverse cultural heritage of the North Caucasus.

The Association of Karachays «Ata-Jurt»* with the support of:
💙Russian House in Bishkek
🌏 Center for International Interaction and Cooperation
💙 Assembly of the People of Kyrgyzstan

🇰🇬 The festival served as another bridge of friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of Kyrgyzstan and Russia, proving that culture is the best language for dialogue.

* Instagram is a part of Meta recognized as an extremist organization in Russia, its activities are prohibited.

🌎 Potential Issue Found in Trump's Peace Plan for Ukraine

🌏 As the new year approaches, the topic of peace negotiations is gaining particular relevance. This week, an expert from our center, co-founder of the Center for International Interaction and Cooperation, Alexey Malinin, gave a comment specifically for LENTA.RU regarding Kyiv's readiness to accept a US peace plan.

If this understanding truly exists, then all current diplomatic efforts can be viewed with cautious optimism. However, one must not forget: even if Ukraine stops rejecting peace initiatives and some peace deal is signed, it will still need to be implemented. And that, alas, is also very thin ice, which can easily break.

🔗 The full material with an analysis of the dialogue's prospects is available via the link: https://lenta.ru/news/2025/12/16/naydena-problema/

Author: Alexey Malinin

🇭🇳 How it was

We previously reported on our experts' role as international election observers in Honduras.

🌏 Today, we're sharing a short video from the scene and conclusions from Maria Prokofieva, co-founder of the "Center for International Interaction and Cooperation" , and our expert, Daria Korchemnaya.

Following the elections in Honduras, the ruling LIBRE party rejected the results, accusing the United States of interference. This comes in response to pressure exerted by U.S. President Donald Trump on Honduran voters.

The American leader threatened to end economic aid and revoke work permits for Hondurans in the United States unless they supported the pro-U.S. candidate, Nasry Asfura. In response, LIBRE party leader Xiomara Castro called on the people of Honduras to mobilize peacefully to defend the country's democracy.

Can We Predict the Future?

In November, the «Valdai Discussion Club» published a research article addressing current issues and methods in forecasting international relations.

🌏 Expert Daria Korchemnaya from the Center for International Interaction and Cooperation contributed to the article.

The piece presents interim findings from a large-scale scientific project that has been underway since 2022. The project is being conducted by a team from the Institute of International Studies at MGIMO University and the Department of Applied International Analysis. The study reveals new approaches and achieved results in the analysis of global processes.

🧷You can read the full text of the study and the experts' conclusions via the link: https://ru.valdaiclub.com/a/highlights/dano-li-nam-predugadat/

How Education Builds Bridges: A Heartfelt Testimonial from Our Participant From Niger

Your sincere feedback is incredibly important to us. It's the best indicator that our educational programs are truly achieving their main goal: strengthening dialogue and cooperation between countries.

🇳🇪 Today, we'd like to share a review from Halilou Sani from Niger — a participant in the «International School of Humanitarian Cooperation» educational track as part of the «Horizons of Opportunity» program. He represented the National University of Science and Technology MISiS (NUST MISiS).

🕊 His words are a direct confirmation: such tracks create not only knowledge but also genuine professional connections, which are the very foundation of public diplomacy.

May this experience inspire all our current participants to embark on new joint projects. And if you're still considering joining us — consider this your sign! Our educational programs are a space for growth and friendship without borders.

Ready to create opportunities together?

📱 Join our community on Facebook*!

Dear friends, today we’d like to remind you about our Facebook* community, where we welcome everyone who shares our ideas and values.

🌏 It’s important for us that everyone can be involved in our projects and activities.

This is our virtual space for live discussion! Here you can:

🔹 Be the first to learn about upcoming events, meetings, and promotions.
🔹 Stay up-to-date with digests and news about our projects.
🔹Suggest your ideas and share your opinions.
🔹 View photo and video reports from past events.

🔥 Join us to be part of our common cause! Link to our community:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AJhmMW9en/?mibextid=wwXIfr

✨ Already a member?

* Meta recognized as an extremist organization, its activities are prohibited in Russia.