The article discusses the basic principles of the existing system of training foreign citizens in Russian
Universities at the expense of the Federal budget. The author analyzes the possibilities of increasing state
quotas for foreigners and the main target groups that the Government plans to focus on. The weak points
of the existing system are considered in detail from the perspective of promoting Russia's interests through
soft power. Priority forms of training of foreigners at the expense of the budget of the Russian Federation are given.