Government students engage with senior Russian diplomat at the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Twenty-two students from Liberty University’s Helms School of Government, all members of an international relations class (GOVT 340), toured the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Tuesday afternoon and engaged in a Q&A session with Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Sergey Koshelev.

Associate Professor of Government Scott Roenicke, the instructor for the international relations course, helped orchestrate the encounter. Roenicke, who recently joined Liberty’s faculty, commands a bold 30-year career in international relations, having served in the Pentagon as a Senior Advisor for Russia Affairs to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and as Director for Russia Affairs in the National Security Council at the White House. Tuesday’s trip was made possible in part because of the affiliations Roenicke developed throughout his extensive career.

“The students formulated tangible proposals for addressing the challenging relationship that we presently have with Russia,” Roenicke said. “They were then afforded the opportunity to personally contribute to international relations by presenting their ideas to the Russian Ambassador’s Deputy at the Embassy in Washington, D.C. Students urged the Russians to consider a more constructive and cooperative posture as opposed to the confrontational one currently being pursued by Moscow.”

Koshelev met with the students for more than an hour. Many students prepared questions that addressed cooperative initiatives, military and security concerns, nuclear arms control, COVID-19, cyber security, embassy staffing shortages, and many other pressing issues impacting a stable relationship between nuclear superpowers.

“The Russian Deputy Chief of Mission was clearly impressed with the ideas posed by the students and did not disagree with any of the logic presented,” Roenicke said. “As the U.S. and Russian governments are currently preparing for the next Presidential Summit, the ideas offered represent timely contributions to prospective summit deliverables that our countries might consider.”

One of the Helms School’s core tenets is equipping students with concrete experiences that expand past classroom theory. Through this visit, students discovered the complex and demanding world of international relations firsthand.

“This trip was an incredible experience,” said freshman Julianna Vogl, an international relations student specializing in strategic intelligence. “Having the opportunity to visit the Russian Embassy and directly engage with the Russian Deputy Chief of Missions offered real-life experience and firsthand interaction in contributing to international relations and foreign affairs. As an International Relations major, I have had the privilege and the honor to offer my thoughts on U.S.-Russia relations and inquire of Deputy Koshelev’s insight and Russia’s perspective.”

Earlier this semester, the class participated in an international relations simulation Oct. 20 and 22, where they were assigned Cabinet-level roles and charged in a “White House meeting simulation” with stabilizing the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Russia.

With the simulation experience under their belts, students felt confident in presenting concerns to the Russian Deputy Chief of Mission.

“Our class’s trip to the embassy was surreal to say the least,” said sophomore government student Giana DePaul. “I feel incredibly honored to have been able to experience the hospitality of the Russian Embassy. While America’s bilateral relations with Russia have been tense in recent years, I hope that our visit signifies the mutual ability to look past our divisions and come to raise generations, including myself, that value peace above everything.”

Following the Q&A, the class, on behalf of the Helms School, presented Koshelev with a gift fitting for the occasion: an original photograph taken during WWII that marked a key historical moment pertinent to both respective countries. One of three original prints, the framed picture was captured by U.S. Army Corporal Ivan Belousovitch right as the U.S. and Soviet militaries joined forces in Torgau, Germany, in their allied campaign to defeat Nazi forces on the way to Berlin.

The gift served as a symbolic token of appreciation to the Russian Ambassador and his staff for both the friendliness and generosity bestowed to the Helms School during the visit, and for their efforts in advancing diplomacy and bilateral relations between our countries.

“Our trip to the Russian Embassy was an incredible experience,” said senior policy student Matt Wicks. “Hearing the Russian perspective on the issues that our nations share helped to broaden my perspective on the complexity and nuance of international affairs. The Russians were great hosts. Sharing our opinions and possible solutions to the previously mentioned issues was an honor, and I hope that we had a positive impact on current U.S.-Russian relations.”

The Russian Embassy shared the experience on its main social media channels.