Maria Zakharova: promoting Russian language abroad – Russia’s foreign policy priority

Support for the Russian language abroad is a priority task of Russia’s foreign policy, official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova said at a briefing. She emphasised that, according to various estimates, between 250 and 300 million people worldwide speak Russian either as their native language or as a language of communication.

In BRICS, due to the specifics of this format, such work is probably carried out in a broader context. We focus on developing multicultural cooperation in all its fullness and diversity. [...] Much was done during Russia’s chairmanship of the group in 2024, when several dozen vivid and substantive events were organised, contributing to familiarisation with the rich culture of our country, in particular the Russian language

Maria Zakharova

Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry

The ministry conducts systematic monitoring of the status of the Russian language in BRICS states based on data from Russian foreign missions, expert sociological surveys, and analysis of statistical information. According to Zakharova, the results demonstrate sustained interest in learning Russian in these countries. There is growing use of the Russian language in cultural and educational exchanges, as well as in economic and scientific cooperation with partners in the group. The activities of Russian Houses are expanding, conferences and creative evenings are being held. More and more young people are choosing Russian for professional self-realisation.

Particular attention is paid to engagement with foreign audiences through media projects. As the Foreign Ministry representative noted, an example was the production in 2025 of video materials promoting the Russian language, achievements in national education, science and culture, as well as the country’s tourism potential. The videos were produced on the basis of leading Russian universities where international students study and were broadcast, among others, on the TV BRICS channel.

“As part of the flagship event of the Russkiy Mir Foundation – the 17th Assembly of the Russian World in 2025 – a thematic platform "A New Media Dimension: Expanding Dialogue – Strengthening Trust" was organised in partnership with TV BRICS. [...] Participants from more than 40 countries, including heads of foreign media corporations from Brazil, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Oman, Ethiopia, and South Africa, discussed the issue of shaping the global information landscape and the participation of Global South media in it, naturally including BRICS countries,” Maria Zakharova noted.

In the final resolution of the Assembly of the Russian World, Maria Zakharova added, it was emphasised that BRICS countries, representing nearly half of the world’s population, possess unique cultural and historical wealth that should be reflected in global projects through the creation of a unified media space aimed at broadening the spectrum of opinions.

The diplomat also stressed the importance of supporting public non-profit organisations, professional and national associations of teachers engaged in promoting the Russian language, developing teaching methodologies, and advancing Russian culture. Through the Foreign Ministry, institutional frameworks are being created to strengthen the position of the Russian language in BRICS countries.

The “Modern Russian” project of the TV BRICS International Media Network is also aimed at promoting Russian culture in the global media space and studying Russian as a foreign language. Its information resources and consulting services are used in more than 150 countries worldwide.