It was established in 1960 by a resolution from the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Council of Ministers of the USSR to help nations to assist countries that had recently achieved independence from colonial powers.

The university's main goal was to train personnel from Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.

RUDN University's stance on global issues became neutral after the end of the Cold War with the collapse of the Soviet Union.

[7][8][9] Rector Oleg Alexandrovich Yastrebov [ru] signed a letter of support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The stated purpose for establishing the university was to give young people from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, especially from low-income families, an opportunity to be educated and to become qualified specialists.

In 1972, Stanis proceeded to extend the duration of studies, which until then were shorter, along the lines of mainstream Soviet universities.

[15] Nonetheless, it remains most common in English to use the name "Peoples' Friendship University of Russia" or the abbreviation "PFUR".

[citation needed] From 1993 to 1998, PFUR was headed by Vladimir Filippov, a 1973 graduate of Patrice Lumumba PFU.

Foreign and Russian political and public figures, scholars, and scientists have become PFUR Emeritus Professors.