🇷🇺🎞 Victory Map — A Multimedia Project Dedicated to the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War
📍 The State Film Fund of Russia, with the support of the Ministry of Culture 🇷🇺 and in partnership with the National Center for Historical Memory under the President of the Russian Federation, has launched a multimedia project — “Victory Map”.

🕊 The initiative is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland.

🎥 On the platform, users can explore:
▫️ Rare archival videos and photographs from World War II
▫️ Materials geo-linked to key battlefields and cities
▫️ A chronological timeline synced with an interactive map
▫️ A powerful immersion into the history of wartime events

👥 In the next phase, visitors will be able to contribute family documents and wartime stories to the project — preserving the legacy of their ancestors.

📚 “Victory Map” is a living digital memorial and a valuable tool for historical education, commemoration, and civic memory.

🌐 Discover the project now

🎙 Russian #G20 Sherpa Svetlana Lukash spoke to Ubuntu Radio on the sidelinens of the Third Sherpa Meeting in Sun City Resort (June 26, 2025)

❓What are Russia's key priorities for the G20 agenda, and how do you see the group addressing the current global economic challenges?

💬 Svetlana Lukash: We think that South African priorities are very well placed to also achieve the goals set by the Russian Federation in the G20. That is promotion of inclusive global growth. That is job creation. That is development of artificial intelligence, and approaches to governing artificial intelligence. That is issues of critical minerals, which are important for strengthening both South African and Russian economies. And overall, that is the issue of the change in the system of global governance.

☝️ It's time to really make global governance institutions work in the interests of emerging and developing economies, in the interests of the Global South. And that's what we will put on the table as our main priorities and, as I said, those go fully in line with the South African presidency's topics.

❓In light of the current global issues, how does Russia see the G20 contributing to the promotion of multilateralism and strengthening international relations?

💬 Svetlana Lukash: I think just having the presidency in Africa for the first time, and putting the interests of Africa and of the Global South at the top of the G20 agenda, already gives the strongest signal to the world community that the time has changed.

Besides, South Africa invited many stakeholders, many countries, many partners, many guest countries to enrich our dialogue. So G20 should not be just a closed format, where only 20 economics discuss the topics that are important for the whole world. What the South African presidency did is that it helped to open G20, first in the interests of the rest of the world — of the global majority. And second, to be as transparent and as open as possible to African neighbors. So that is amazing. So I really praise what the presidency is doing this year.

❓How does Russia envision the G20 promoting global economic cooperation, particularly in areas such as trade, energy, and finance?

💬 Svetlana Lukash: Well, a difficult question, taking into account the current geoeconomic fragmentation of the global economy, geopolitical tensions, and the spiral of sanctions and tariff wars. And in this situation, what G20 can do is really continue cooperation. And despite all the controversial views and interests, still try to address these issues — still try not to silence that sanctions are in place, and they disturb global energy and food markets.

We really need more inclusive global institutions, like, for instance, the WTO — the World Trade Organization — which needs to work in the interest of development, and which needs to address issues it was invented for. And I think the G20, under the leadership of the South African presidency, is moving in this direction.

We will see by November whether we can overcome all the current difficulties, all the current geopolitical tensions, to focus on the mandate of the G20 — on economic cooperation and preventing and dealing with possible financial crises. So, let's see. But we are very optimistic about that, because we have very good leaders this year.

#G20SouthAfrica

🎙 Following the EAEU summit, President of Russia Vladimir Putin answered questions from Russian journalists

#EAEU

As for the outcomes of today’s EAEU summit, we are satisfied with the results and have drawn certain conclusions.

The President of Belarus has already noted that our development strategy, which was designed to run until this year, is nearing completion. We are considering how to structure our joint efforts moving forward. However, overall, the results of our work cannot but satisfy us. They satisfy all of us. Why? Because the key aggregate indicator of economic performance is the growth rate.

In the EAEU, it exceeds the global average. As is known, global growth stands at 3.3 percent. The EAEU’s growth is over 4 percent – significantly higher. In some countries, it is substantially greater, reaching 5 percent or even approaching 6 percent, in my view. This is, among other things, a direct result of our joint efforts, as the very purpose of our work is to eliminate trade and other economic barriers to cooperation. Without exaggeration, this multiplies the potential for economic growth.

#Ukraine

Regarding the memorandums [Russian and Ukrainian], as expected, there were no surprises. I will not tell you anything surprising, either. These are two absolutely opposing memorandums, but that is precisely why talks are set up and held – to find ways to bring positions closer. The fact that they were diametrically opposed does not seem surprising to me, either. I would not like to go into details, as I believe it would be counterproductive – even harmful – to get ahead of the talks.

With regard to what has been achieved so far following the talks, I think you can see it for yourself. Today, if I am not mistaken, another exchange took place… or was it yesterday? Today, right? And this is important. The humanitarian aspect matters because, as diplomats say, it creates conditions for substantive discussions on core issues. We agreed that after completing these exchanges and the humanitarian operation which we proposed – specifically, the transfer of the servicemen’s bodies – we would press ahead with more contacts.

We have already handed over more than 6,000 bodies and are ready to transfer nearly 3,000 more, but it is now up to the Ukrainian side to agree to accept the remains of their fallen soldiers.

We agreed that after this phase is completed, we would hold the third round of talks. We are ready for it overall. The venue and the time need to be agreed upon. I expect President Erdogan to keep unchanged his supportive stance with regard to this process. We are very grateful to him for that. We stand ready to hold this meeting in Istanbul. As for the exact timeframe, the heads of the negotiating teams from both sides – who remain in constant, direct contact and regularly get on the phone with each other (which, I believe, is a good sign) – are discussing the date for the next meeting.

The agenda? In my opinion, the discussion should focus on the memoranda from both sides.

#EU #NATO

We are planning to cut the defence expenses next year and the year after, as well during the next three years. The Defence Ministry, the Finance Ministry and the Ministry of Economic Development have yet to reach the final agreement, still, in general, everybody is thinking along these lines. And Europe is thinking about raising its defence expenses.

So, who is getting ready for any aggressive actions, us or them?

Yes, we do want to complete the special military operation with the result we need. Certainly. This is what we take into account when planning our defence expenses, not aggressive aspirations against Europe and NATO countries. And we want to decrease the expenses, while they want to increase them.

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🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s answers to media questions following a meeting of the CSTO Council of Ministers (Cholpon-Ata, June 30, 2025)

❓ Question: How do you assess the current developments in Armenia? Was this issue addressed during today’s closed meeting? Do CSTO member states plan to respond in the event of a sharp escalation in Armenia?

💬 Sergey Lavrov: Yes, the situation in Armenia was discussed. All participants expressed deep concern over the events unfolding within the republic. While it is understood that this is an internal matter for our neighbours, we are particularly troubled by the attacks on the Armenian Apostolic Church – a canonical institution with a thousand-year history.

The church has traditionally been a cornerstone of Armenian society, and Russia is concerned about any unjustified and unprovoked actions directed against it.

We note that the public movement in defence of the church reflects a strong sentiment within Armenian society, rooted in its deep Orthodox traditions inherent to Armenia. Russia hopes the current tensions will be resolved promptly, in full accordance with Armenia’s Constitution and with respect for the rights of believers and fundamental human rights.

As for today’s discussions concerning Armenia’s participation in the #CSTO, we took note of the fact that Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan once again declined to attend the event. We proceed from the understanding that, during meetings within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, our heads of state acknowledged Armenia’s current stance towards the CSTO.

We continue to regard Armenia as a full member of the Organisation. However, full membership entails active participation and adherence to all obligations set forth in CSTO’s foundational documents, including the payment of membership dues.

Statements from the Armenian leadership suggest that the country is pursuing a multi-vector approach. Recently, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan indicated that Armenia will soon need to make a choice between the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union. Additionally, representatives of the Armenian leadership have acknowledged that a definitive decision regarding their membership in the CSTO will need to be made in the near future.

Russia is exerting no pressure on Armenia’s leadership and prefers to wait for clarity on these important matters. It is widely understood that should Armenia distance itself from its allies, closest partners, and neighbours, such a course is unlikely to serve the interests of the Armenian people.

❓ Question: Are you following the developments in Belgrade? What is your assessment of current events over there?

💬 Sergey Lavrov: We are following the developments, of course. We are interested in the unrest being quelled, as President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said, based on the Constitution and laws of this friendly state.  

Our great hope is that the Western nations, which, as usual, are attempting to use some or other domestic events in various countries to promote their own interests to the detriment of those of partners in relevant countries, will not, in this case, engage in colour revolutions. <...>

❓ Question: Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski went on record as saying that Russia would collapse if it continued to build up its military spending. NATO increased its military budget by an order of magnitude just a few days ago. What is your comment on statements of this sort?

💬 Sergey Lavrov: Well, if Mr Sikorski is a prophet on this scale, he may perhaps visualise that what I see as a disastrous boost in the NATO military budget will lead to the collapse of this organisation. 

Russia, for its part, is planning to cut its military expenditures, as President Vladimir Putin told a news conference following a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Minsk on June 27, 2025.

Russia is guided by common sense, not by imaginary threats, as do NATO member countries, such as e.g. Mr Sikorski’s Poland.

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