KALININGRAD, June 23. /TASS/. Western nations have recently been complicating direct communication between their citizens and Russians, actively obstructing public diplomacy at the political level, Timofey Bordachev, Program Director of the Valdai Club, told the media during the Valdai expert dialogue.
"Based on the experience of the past decade in Russia-West relations, it’s clear that official Western diplomacy and state policies have hindered any genuine public diplomacy. These restrictions are the result of government decisions. Meaningful direct dialogue between ordinary people remains highly challenging," Bordachev explained in response to a TASS question about the potential role of public diplomacy in shaping a new global order.
He emphasized the importance of new communication formats as a means to bypass political obstacles. "These platforms are relatively difficult for politicians to control," he noted. "Online, individuals can engage directly with Russians about current events. These emerging channels can influence political decisions, whether directly or indirectly."
Fyodor Lukyanov, Research Director of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Club, offered a different perspective on the role of public diplomacy today.
