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Kristian Svanes is a seasoned diplomat and senior adviser with extensive experience in international relations, particularly focused on Norwegian-Russian cooperation. Svanes has been with Utenriksdepartementet since January 2012, managing the Barents 2020 Grant programme and overseeing various projects. Previous roles include serving as a Higher Executive Officer at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, where Svanes contributed to the Norwegian Government's strategy for economic engagement with Russia, and at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, administering grant programmes for Norwegian-Russian initiatives. Svanes began engagement in international diplomacy as a trainee at the Embassy of Norway in Moscow, focusing on media and political analyses. Educational background includes a Master of Arts in Region and Regionalisation and a Bachelor of Arts in Russian Language and Literature from the University of Bergen, complemented by further education at BI Norwegian Business School.