WASHINGTON, October 1 (RIA Novosti), Lyudmila Chernova - The US Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program was vital in building connections between young Russians and Americans, US State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki said during press briefing on Wednesday.
"The FLEX program was vital in building bounds between young Russians and Americans that we needed to overcome challenges in our bilateral relations," Psaki said, adding that the United States regrets Russia's decision to suspend its participation in the program.
"It was the largest US-Russia cultural exchange program over the past 21 years. More than 8, 000 Russian students have participated," Psaki said. She explained that the FLEX program brings high school students to live in the United States with American host families, attend high schools and experience community life for an academic year.
"The public outcry we've seen among Russians who either participated in the program or wanted to participate speaks to the powerful and lasting positive impact these kinds of exchanges can have in people's lives," Psaki added.
US Ambassador to Russia John F. Tefft said in a statement released on Tuesday that Russian authorities had informed the US embassy on their decision to cancel the participation of the Russian schoolchildren in the 2015-2016 FLEX Program.
Russian children’s rights ombudsman Pavel Astakhov stated earlier on Wednesday that Russia has made this decision due to US failure to comply with obligations concerning children’s return back to their country.
