In Russia, cosmonaut Kononenko calls for peaceful resolution of disputes
In Yekaterinburg, Russia — an aggressor state — Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko called on countries to follow the example of cooperation on the International Space Station and resolve disputes peacefully. He said this on September 12 during a meeting with participants in the 2026 International Youth Festival, MyJoyOnline reports.
Kononenko, who heads the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center and commands Roscosmos' cosmonaut corps, said that representatives of different nationalities on the ISS depend on one another. According to him, when discussing issues, they listen to each other's positions, while disagreements are settled through agreements.
Cooperation in orbit
The cosmonaut noted that every state has its own priorities and seeks development, including technological development. At the same time, he said, work on the ISS requires interdependence and dialogue. Kononenko believes that the experience of cooperation and shared life in space should also be applied on Earth.
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Russia's plans in space
During the meeting, Kononenko also answered questions about the cosmonaut profession, adaptation to weightlessness and the future of space exploration. He said that cosmonaut candidates must pass selection before reaching the age of 35, and that the profession requires education, perseverance, patience, discipline and hard work.
According to Kononenko, after joining the cosmonaut corps, he waited nine years for his first flight. He also stated that Russia could create its own orbital station in the early 2030s. In his view, such a station could open opportunities for cosmonauts from former Soviet republics, while Roscosmos remains open to international cooperation.
Kononenko called the Moon a testing ground for technologies needed for future flights to Mars and other planets. The International Youth Festival is being held in Yekaterinburg from September 11 to 17 under the slogan “Follow Your Dream.” According to the organizers, the event brought together 10,000 young leaders from 191 countries, including 5,000 participants from Russia and 5,000 foreigners.
