What will Putin's annexation of the Crimea mean for Russian language education and related business?

As the events in Ukraine continue to resemble a situation that would be "mundane" 100 years ago but not today, I as a communications professional and language instructor working with Russian have a lot of thinking to do. How will the crisis influence people's interest in doing business with Russia? Will fewer people want to study the Russian language in the months to come? Is online marketing and content copywriting business in Russian going to disappear as a viable line of work? There are all questions that I cannot escape from every day now.

Perhaps because I am an incorrigible optimist or because (or in spite of) my Russian heritage, I feel confident that those really interested in learning my native language and finding out more about the great culture that Russia presents to a student will not be deterred by Putin and his reversal of decades of hard work to changing the image of the country and attracting more international business and tourism. Educated and motivated individuals would not be so quickly convinced that what we are observing in Crimea is the real face of Russia. Doing business with (preferably non-state) companies and individuals in Russia and attracting talent from Russia would not go away. The wonderful historic treasures of the world's largest nation would still draw tourists and enthusiasts.

Russia will survive underneath the forced mask of barbaric aggression in the name of peace and brotherhood. And two kindred peoples, the Russians and the Ukrainians, will again live together in harmony.

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Offering Russian classes and translations

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Putin's war in Ukraine should not stop you from learning Russian

One point that was brought up by one of my potential students of the Russian language today was the fact that learning the language at a time when Putin is waging aggression against neighbouring Ukraine was impossible and inappropriate. Why would it be so? Does the Russian language serve as a hostage to militaristic or imperial or self-promotion ambitions? Does Russian culture become less beautiful and interesting because of an unjust and illegal occupation? Would fewer business and interaction opportunities exist in the future due to Putin? I'm strongly of the opinion that interpersonal and intercultural relations should not suffer because of medieval politics and warmongering. Let's study Russian! Give me a call or drop me an email today.