Bravely (or recklessly) writing these lines in Ottawa, I am running the risk of being ostracized by my Canadian hockey-loving colleagues and friends for as much as hinting any approval of the KHL—Russia-led Kontinental Hockey League (spelled with a K so as not to be confused with several existing CHL sports acronyms and to resemble its original Cyrillic spelling).

Speaking on foreign policies, President Putin stressed that the so-called “mild force” and efficient use of its mechanisms were becoming a priority in the modern world. He stressed that diplomats now played an increasing role in economics, business cooperation and new market exploration.

The Russian media constantly reports about growing government interest in increasing Russia’s soft power. Existing public diplomacy instruments reach a permanently growing global audience, but Russia’s international image does not seem to be improving. The problem may be that people around the world understand Russia’s values but still disagree with its policies.

In the past few months Vladimir Putin has terminated the work in Russia of the U.S. Agency for International Development, ended American adoptions of Russian children and, most damagingly, drastically reduced the audience and credibility of U.S. broadcaster Radio Liberty, driving a wedge between it and some of Russia’s most renowned human rights activists and journalists.

Committee members heard from Vladimir Yushkin, Director of the Baltic Center for Russian Studies in Tallinn, communications consultant Raul Rebane and Security Police High Commissioner Martin Arpo. He said that the importance of media in this respect was declining and said that information could more effectively be delivered through cultural events, youth camps and other direct contact.

The award recognises and encourages its bearer to improve social, economic and cultural relations with Cameroon. The Honorary Consul of the Federation of Russia in Douala, Dr. Jean Marie Tchuissang, received the Russian "Pouchkine" medal of distinction issued by Russian officials for the award.

Just over two decades after Joseph Nye coined the term “soft power”, Russia is set to officially introduce the phrase into its foreign policy vocabulary at the highest echelon.