#Opinion by Maria Zakharova
💬 The Intercept, a US-based portal, has rolled out a massive investigation into the failures by biologists at American laboratories studying various viruses to comply with biosafety standards when working with dangerous pathogens.
There were, in fact, many such failures.
The article reports on hundreds (!) of serious incidents at American biolabs over the past two decades.
The journalists sifted through over 5,500 pages of government reports, including documents from the National Institutes of Health, and came to conclusions that are truly terrifying. Sealing failures have been taking place at BSL-4 labs, which are supposed to adhere to the highest safety standards and store the deadliest and highly contagious strains. There is also evidence of people getting infected, as in the case of a post-graduate student from Washington University who was infected with the Chikungunya virus as a result of an error. In 2010, an autoclave malfunctioned at a University of California lab, potentially exposing its staff to a lethal strain of the SARS virus, but luckily no infections were reported. The article also mentioned “cascading errors” which can pose an immediate threat to the epidemiological situation in the United States.
If we look beyond Covid-19, we see that criminal negligence reigns supreme at biolabs on American soil. Imagine how little care US researchers have for ensuring the safety of dangerous strains elsewhere. If a leak happens there, this will offer them a marvellous opportunity to undertake an external participant observation, for purely scientific purposes, of course, and after that sell their medicines to the affected population.
☣ This is a lottery where they can only win. But a deadly one at that.
💬 The Intercept, a US-based portal, has rolled out a massive investigation into the failures by biologists at American laboratories studying various viruses to comply with biosafety standards when working with dangerous pathogens.
There were, in fact, many such failures.
The article reports on hundreds (!) of serious incidents at American biolabs over the past two decades.
The journalists sifted through over 5,500 pages of government reports, including documents from the National Institutes of Health, and came to conclusions that are truly terrifying. Sealing failures have been taking place at BSL-4 labs, which are supposed to adhere to the highest safety standards and store the deadliest and highly contagious strains. There is also evidence of people getting infected, as in the case of a post-graduate student from Washington University who was infected with the Chikungunya virus as a result of an error. In 2010, an autoclave malfunctioned at a University of California lab, potentially exposing its staff to a lethal strain of the SARS virus, but luckily no infections were reported. The article also mentioned “cascading errors” which can pose an immediate threat to the epidemiological situation in the United States.
If we look beyond Covid-19, we see that criminal negligence reigns supreme at biolabs on American soil. Imagine how little care US researchers have for ensuring the safety of dangerous strains elsewhere. If a leak happens there, this will offer them a marvellous opportunity to undertake an external participant observation, for purely scientific purposes, of course, and after that sell their medicines to the affected population.
☣ This is a lottery where they can only win. But a deadly one at that.
🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s greetings to the participants in the 6️⃣5️⃣th annual meeting of the Russian Association of International Law
💬 This year’s theme, International Law in a Multipolar World, is highly relevant. Today, the contemporary system of international law is undergoing a test of strength. In addition to the destructive attempts to shatter and revise the current international legal norms in its selfish geopolitical interests, the collective West is actively using illegitimate unilateral sanctions. And in order to justify their aggressive steps in terms of ideology and policy, the Westerners are promoting the neocolonial concept of a “rule-based world order.”
☝️ At the same time, the actual use of these rules undermines the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, including the sovereign equality of states.
In this context, your discussions will encourage international law experts to unify their efforts in the interests of the development of the international legal ideas and creation of a more just multipolar world order architecture.
Read in full
💬 This year’s theme, International Law in a Multipolar World, is highly relevant. Today, the contemporary system of international law is undergoing a test of strength. In addition to the destructive attempts to shatter and revise the current international legal norms in its selfish geopolitical interests, the collective West is actively using illegitimate unilateral sanctions. And in order to justify their aggressive steps in terms of ideology and policy, the Westerners are promoting the neocolonial concept of a “rule-based world order.”
☝️ At the same time, the actual use of these rules undermines the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, including the sovereign equality of states.
In this context, your discussions will encourage international law experts to unify their efforts in the interests of the development of the international legal ideas and creation of a more just multipolar world order architecture.
Read in full
🎙 Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, November 9, 2022
Key points:
🔹 FM Sergey Lavrov’s schedule
🔹 Ukrainian crisis
🔹 The use of Grad MLRS and ‘butterfly’ mines by the Armed Forces of Ukraine
🔹 Bulgarian Parliament’s decision to provide military assistance to Ukraine
🔹 Attempts by unfriendly countries to use the frozen Russian assets as a resource for “reparations from Russia”
🔹 Remarks by the spokesperson of the Federal Government of Germany concerning Russia’s lack of readiness for talks with Ukraine
🔹 US draft of UN General Assembly resolution on anti-satellite testing ban
And more…
📰 Read full transcript
📺 Watch in full
Key points:
🔹 FM Sergey Lavrov’s schedule
🔹 Ukrainian crisis
🔹 The use of Grad MLRS and ‘butterfly’ mines by the Armed Forces of Ukraine
🔹 Bulgarian Parliament’s decision to provide military assistance to Ukraine
🔹 Attempts by unfriendly countries to use the frozen Russian assets as a resource for “reparations from Russia”
🔹 Remarks by the spokesperson of the Federal Government of Germany concerning Russia’s lack of readiness for talks with Ukraine
🔹 US draft of UN General Assembly resolution on anti-satellite testing ban
And more…
📰 Read full transcript
📺 Watch in full
🇷🇺🇨🇫📞 President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadéra.
The Presidents expressed the shared intention to intensify bilateral political, trade and economic cooperation, including in the fuel and energy sector.
During an exchange of views on the food security problem, Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to make a contribution to the efforts to provide African countries with agricultural products and fertilisers.
The leaders agreed to continue interaction in the interests of strengthening the Central African Republic’s sovereignty, security and stability. Faustin-Archange Touadéra expressed gratitude to Russia for its multifaceted assistance to his country and confirmed his intention to attend the second Russia-Africa Summit scheduled to be held in St Petersburg in the summer of 2023.
#RussiaAfrica #RussiaCAR
The Presidents expressed the shared intention to intensify bilateral political, trade and economic cooperation, including in the fuel and energy sector.
During an exchange of views on the food security problem, Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to make a contribution to the efforts to provide African countries with agricultural products and fertilisers.
The leaders agreed to continue interaction in the interests of strengthening the Central African Republic’s sovereignty, security and stability. Faustin-Archange Touadéra expressed gratitude to Russia for its multifaceted assistance to his country and confirmed his intention to attend the second Russia-Africa Summit scheduled to be held in St Petersburg in the summer of 2023.
#RussiaAfrica #RussiaCAR
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#Opinion by Maria Zakharova
💬 Remember the story where the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten made a statement about the Russian Army allegedly using Viagra to "rape" Ukrainians? 🤦♂️
In a recent telephone conversation with Russian pranksters Vovan and Lexus, she crossed the T’s on this abuse issue, admitting that she did not have the authority to conduct such an investigation, nor did she have even a single shred of evidence in support of her allegation: “It’s not my role to investigate. I do not have this authority. I sit in New York, in an office in New York, and I have advocacy powers. My role is not to investigate. The investigation is being conducted by the Human Rights Watch Group and the International Commission of Inquiry. There is nothing about Viagra in their reports.”
She then proceeded to completely disavow her impartiality, citing iron-clad arguments: “I want to once again declare my full support and the support of my office to the government of Ukraine and the people of Ukraine. On May 3 in Kiev, I signed a framework agreement on cooperation with the government of Ukraine.”
💬 Remember the story where the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten made a statement about the Russian Army allegedly using Viagra to "rape" Ukrainians? 🤦♂️
In a recent telephone conversation with Russian pranksters Vovan and Lexus, she crossed the T’s on this abuse issue, admitting that she did not have the authority to conduct such an investigation, nor did she have even a single shred of evidence in support of her allegation: “It’s not my role to investigate. I do not have this authority. I sit in New York, in an office in New York, and I have advocacy powers. My role is not to investigate. The investigation is being conducted by the Human Rights Watch Group and the International Commission of Inquiry. There is nothing about Viagra in their reports.”
She then proceeded to completely disavow her impartiality, citing iron-clad arguments: “I want to once again declare my full support and the support of my office to the government of Ukraine and the people of Ukraine. On May 3 in Kiev, I signed a framework agreement on cooperation with the government of Ukraine.”
🇷🇺🇺🇸 Russia's Embassy in the USA:
🎙 Ambassador Anatoly Antonov's interview exclusively for Izvestia
💬 We, diplomats, especially those working here in Washington, would like the relations between Russia and the United States to be different. We would like to see them based on the principles of respecting national interests and equality.
We strongly believe that drawing the United States further into the conflict on Ukrainian soil by supplying weapons, sending mercenaries and instructors contradicts US national interests. It leads Russian-American relations to a dead end from where it will be very difficult for all of us to find a way out <...>
🗺 A recent visit of Russian diplomats to California confirmed: the farther away from Washington, the less Russophobia.
❗️ Russia will never put up with a situation when new threats are multiplying along the perimeter of our borders while our security is being weakened.
It is absolutely incomprehensible why local leaders allow themselves to threaten Russia due to the fact that our country defends its national interests. <...>
☝️ We will not allow evil to triumph over good. Ordinary Americans, as well as Russians, think about their well-being, a peaceful life as well as their families. None of them wants war. Americans are more concerned about the prices for bread, gas, utility bills. Most of them do not understand why huge funds are spent not within their country, not for the benefit of ordinary citizens, but for a distant Ukraine.
Read in full
🎙 Ambassador Anatoly Antonov's interview exclusively for Izvestia
💬 We, diplomats, especially those working here in Washington, would like the relations between Russia and the United States to be different. We would like to see them based on the principles of respecting national interests and equality.
We strongly believe that drawing the United States further into the conflict on Ukrainian soil by supplying weapons, sending mercenaries and instructors contradicts US national interests. It leads Russian-American relations to a dead end from where it will be very difficult for all of us to find a way out <...>
🗺 A recent visit of Russian diplomats to California confirmed: the farther away from Washington, the less Russophobia.
❗️ Russia will never put up with a situation when new threats are multiplying along the perimeter of our borders while our security is being weakened.
It is absolutely incomprehensible why local leaders allow themselves to threaten Russia due to the fact that our country defends its national interests. <...>
☝️ We will not allow evil to triumph over good. Ordinary Americans, as well as Russians, think about their well-being, a peaceful life as well as their families. None of them wants war. Americans are more concerned about the prices for bread, gas, utility bills. Most of them do not understand why huge funds are spent not within their country, not for the benefit of ordinary citizens, but for a distant Ukraine.
Read in full
🛬 Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey #Lavrov arrives in 🇰🇭 Cambodia to participate in the 17th #EastAsiaSummit.
📍 Phnom Penh
📍 Phnom Penh
🇷🇺🇮🇩 Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of Indonesia Retno Marsudi hold a meeting in Phnom Penh.
#RussiaIndonesia
#RussiaIndonesia
🇷🇺🇻🇳 Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of Vietnam Bui Thanh Son held a meeting in Phnom Penh on the sidelines of the 2022 ASEAN Summit.
#RussiaVietnam 🤝
#RussiaVietnam 🤝
#HappeningNow
🇷🇺🇹🇭 Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister of Thailand Don Pramudwinai hold a meeting in Phnom Penh on the sidelines of the 2022 ASEAN Summit.
#RussiaThailand 🤝
🇷🇺🇹🇭 Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister of Thailand Don Pramudwinai hold a meeting in Phnom Penh on the sidelines of the 2022 ASEAN Summit.
#RussiaThailand 🤝
🇷🇺🇱🇦 In Phnom Penh, #Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey #Lavrov held talks with Foreign Minister of #Laos Saleumxay Kommasith.
🤝 #RussiaLaos
🤝 #RussiaLaos
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🇷🇺🇸🇬 FM Sergey Lavrov & FM of Singapore Vivian Balakrishnan meet, shake hands, have a few hugs and an improvised photo opportunity ahead of the ASEAN gala dinner 🤝
#ASEANCambodia2022
📹 RIA Novosti
#ASEANCambodia2022
📹 RIA Novosti
🇷🇺🇰🇭 Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took part in the gala dinner on behalf of Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen.
#RussiaCambodia
#RussiaCambodia
Forwarded from Russian Mission Geneva
Key takeaways from Russian Deputy FM Sergey Vershinin’s interview with TASS and RIA Novosti:
❗️ Russia has not made its final decision on extending the “grain deal” (expires on November 19). It will be taking into account the implementation of the Russia-UN Memorandum, as well as the Ukrainian terrorist attacks in Crimea and Sevastopol.
🔹 Yesterday’s negotiations can be described as positive, lengthy, beneficial and detailed.
🔹 We strongly emphasize the need to accelerate the adoption of all measures, so that the actual access of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers to the world markets is ensured.
🔹 Possible opening of correspondent accounts in Citibank and JPMorgan is regarded as a temporary measure.
🔹 Reconnecting the Russian Agricultural Bank to SWIFT is one of the key issues and solutions. Without this step we simply cannot move forward.
🔹 Russia calls on the UN to make the best of evey day in order to achieve tangible results in implementation of the Russia-UN Memorandum.
❗️ Russia has not made its final decision on extending the “grain deal” (expires on November 19). It will be taking into account the implementation of the Russia-UN Memorandum, as well as the Ukrainian terrorist attacks in Crimea and Sevastopol.
🔹 Yesterday’s negotiations can be described as positive, lengthy, beneficial and detailed.
🔹 We strongly emphasize the need to accelerate the adoption of all measures, so that the actual access of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers to the world markets is ensured.
🔹 Possible opening of correspondent accounts in Citibank and JPMorgan is regarded as a temporary measure.
🔹 Reconnecting the Russian Agricultural Bank to SWIFT is one of the key issues and solutions. Without this step we simply cannot move forward.
🔹 Russia calls on the UN to make the best of evey day in order to achieve tangible results in implementation of the Russia-UN Memorandum.
✍️ President of Russia Vladimir Putin signed the Executive Order On Approving the Fundamentals of State Policy for the Preservation and Strengthening of Traditional Russian Spiritual and Moral Values.
🇷🇺 Traditional values include human life, dignity, human rights and freedoms, patriotism, civic consciousness, service to the Fatherland and responsibility for its destiny, high moral ideals, strong families, productive labour, the primacy of the spiritual over corporeal, humanism, charity, justice, collectivism, mutual assistance and mutual respect, historical memory and the continuity of generations, as well as the unity of Russia’s peoples.
The National Security Strategy of the Russian Federation assesses that the situation in Russia and the world requires emergency measures to defend traditional values.
⚠️ Threats to traditional values come from:
• extremist and terrorist organisations,
• some news media and communication platforms,
• the actions of the United States and other unfriendly foreign states, several transnational corporations and foreign NGOs,
• the activities of some organisations and individuals in the territory of Russia.
Destructive ideological influences on Russian citizens are threatening the demographic health of the country.
👉 Objectives set forth in state policy to preserve and strengthen traditional values:
🔸 to strengthen civic unity, national civic identity and Russian singularity, inter-ethnic and inter-faith harmony based on the unifying role played by traditional values;
🔸 to preserve historical memory, counter attempts to falsify history <...>
🔸 to preserve, reinforce and promote traditional family values, including marriage as a union between a man and a woman <...>
🔸 to carry out state information policy reinforcing the role traditional values play in mass consciousness and to counter the spread of destructive ideology;
and more.
Read in full
🇷🇺 Traditional values include human life, dignity, human rights and freedoms, patriotism, civic consciousness, service to the Fatherland and responsibility for its destiny, high moral ideals, strong families, productive labour, the primacy of the spiritual over corporeal, humanism, charity, justice, collectivism, mutual assistance and mutual respect, historical memory and the continuity of generations, as well as the unity of Russia’s peoples.
The National Security Strategy of the Russian Federation assesses that the situation in Russia and the world requires emergency measures to defend traditional values.
⚠️ Threats to traditional values come from:
• extremist and terrorist organisations,
• some news media and communication platforms,
• the actions of the United States and other unfriendly foreign states, several transnational corporations and foreign NGOs,
• the activities of some organisations and individuals in the territory of Russia.
Destructive ideological influences on Russian citizens are threatening the demographic health of the country.
👉 Objectives set forth in state policy to preserve and strengthen traditional values:
🔸 to strengthen civic unity, national civic identity and Russian singularity, inter-ethnic and inter-faith harmony based on the unifying role played by traditional values;
🔸 to preserve historical memory, counter attempts to falsify history <...>
🔸 to preserve, reinforce and promote traditional family values, including marriage as a union between a man and a woman <...>
🔸 to carry out state information policy reinforcing the role traditional values play in mass consciousness and to counter the spread of destructive ideology;
and more.
Read in full
🇷🇺🇮🇷📞 President of Russia Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of Iran Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi.
The leaders discussed a number of current issues on the bilateral agenda with an emphasis on the continued building up of interaction in politics, trade and the economy, including transport and logistics. They agreed to step up contacts between respective Russian and Iranian agencies.
Vladimir Putin once again expressed condolences over the October 26 terrorist attack in the mosque in Shiraz.
#RussiaIran
The leaders discussed a number of current issues on the bilateral agenda with an emphasis on the continued building up of interaction in politics, trade and the economy, including transport and logistics. They agreed to step up contacts between respective Russian and Iranian agencies.
Vladimir Putin once again expressed condolences over the October 26 terrorist attack in the mosque in Shiraz.
#RussiaIran