Washington, 4 December 2021 (TDI): On 30 November, Professors and students of Liberty University met a Russian Diplomat Sergey Koshelev in the Russian Embassy in Washington. The Liberty University is in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Koshelev is the Russian Embassy Minister-Counsellor.
The Minister-Counsellor first welcomed the delegation. In the meeting, they discussed a wide range of issues regarding the United States-Russia bilateral relations. After the meeting, the Minister gave the delegation of the University a tour of the Embassy.
DURING THE MEETING
According to the official website of the University, around 22 students from the Liberty University School of Government were part of the visit to the Russian Embassy. There the students had the opportunity to present their ideas and urged them to consider another approach. The meeting had a duration of more than an hour.
As mentioned before, the University mentioned that the students asked Koshelev about cooperative initiatives, nuclear arms control, COVID-19, cyber security, military and security concerns. According to Koshelev, the ideas of the students will be helpful for the next presidential summit between Russia and the US.
Juliana Vogel, who is studying IR at the University, expressed that the visit was an incredible experience. She then added that the opportunity to directly engage with Koshelev was a privilege, and to offer him her thoughts on bilateral relations, and to ask Koshelev for his insight. Vogel also considered being a privilege to inquire about Koshelev’s insight and Russia’s perspective.
Another student, Giana DePaul expressed similarly her thoughts about the experience. She then expressed her hope that their visit means the mutual ability to look past our divisions, and teach the next generations to value peace.
GIFT FROM THE UNIVERSITY TO THE EMBASSY
The delegation from the University gave the Embassy a unique photograph of Soviet and US troops. According to the note, the history of that photo dates back to 1945, when Ivan Belousovich took it. Belousovich participated in the legendary meeting on the Elbe in the year where WWII ended.
The students also noted that the spirit of the alliance of Russia and the US portrayed in the image is necessary to the international community today. That spirit is still in demand for effective counteraction against modern challenges and threats.
According to the University, the photograph is a symbolic token of appreciation to the staff of the Embassy for the hospitality. The gift was also to thank the Embassy for its efforts in advancing diplomacy and bilateral relations between Russia and the US.
BACKGROUND OF RUSSIA-US DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
According to the Department of State of the United States, Russia formally recognized the US in 1803. In 1809, both established diplomatic relations. In 1917, their diplomatic relations got interrupted due to the Bolshevik Revolution.
The Department of State then mentioned that in 1917, the US did not sever diplomatic ties with Russia. It is also mentioned that the United States refused to recognize the Bolshevik government.
Both countries normalized their bilateral ties until 1933. Then in 1991, the US recognized the Russian Federation as the successor to the Soviet Union. In that same year, both reestablished their bilateral relations.
Then the Department mentioned that the United States supported Russia’s integration into European and global institutions.
Even though both countries have had tensions in their relations, they have expressed their willingness to stabilize it. The Department then mentioned that the United States wishes to establish a stable relationship with Russia.
