During a candid exchange with Vladimir Putin, Robert Urazov, the managing director of WorldSkills Russia, acknowledged that a slip of the tongue occurred while discussing what he called other, better countries. He told Gazeta.ru that the pace of the conversation had rushed his words and that he would be more careful with his phrasing going forward. The moment, he said, was a reminder that quick talk can create misunderstandings and that he was ready to own any misstatements and correct them without argument.
From the outset, Urazov emphasized a clear message: for more than a decade, the Russian Federation has demonstrated its strength in the world arena of vocational talent. The WorldSkills Russia team has consistently delivered results that speak to the country’s capacity to nurture skilled practitioners across various trades. The emphasis, he noted, is not on grand declarations but on the steady, measurable progress that comes from sustained training, disciplined practice, and a culture that prizes competency. The reservation about his words, he added, was purely about speech tempo, not any shift in belief. Mistakes, he argued, are opportunities to refine and improve, and he affirmed his conviction that Russia remains a leading stage for personal and professional growth. This is a place where individuals can unlock their potential and turn capability into achievement.
Urazov took part in a session of the Supervisory Board of the Strategic Initiatives Agency that was convened with the president in attendance. After he concluded his remarks, Putin turned his attention to a specific line in the report that referenced other countries. The exchange underscored the heavy attention paid to how Russia is portrayed in discussions about global leadership in skilled work and international competition.
Putin’s interpretation during the remarks drew a sharp distinction between the broader claim and the precise wording used in the report. He observed a sentence along the lines of recognizing strengths “in other countries,” followed by a direct assertion that the best country in the world was Russia. He urged a straightforward clarification of the language, hoping to avoid any impression that Russia sought to diminish the value of achievements elsewhere. The moment highlighted the careful balance that leaders strive for when discussing national prowess on an international stage, especially in a field as visible as vocational excellence. The takeaway was not a dispute over facts but a reminder that careful wording matters when communicating aspirations and outcomes on the world stage.