🎙 Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov’s comment on the 20th anniversary of US Secretary of State Colin Powell’s speech on February 5, 2003 in the UN Security Council accusing Iraq of creating weapons of mass destruction, which became the pretext for the subsequent American invasion

💬 The image of Colin Powell showing a test tube, supposedly containing anthrax powder, has long become widely recognised as a personification of hypocrisy and the US ruling elite’s conviction in their own impunity, their indisputable right to arrogantly teach the rest of the world, using force against a deliberately weak adversary in order to preserve their own global hegemony.

Although, as a decent person, Colin Powell would not hide in the future the fact that he was forced to lie under orders. We even accept that he was tormented by a conscience that is not characteristic of the American political class, especially the leaders of the today’s generation.

In the rapidly changing geopolitical conditions, the United States is now clearly unable to resort to the use of force every time it wants to, without serious consequences. The ignominious flight from Afghanistan outlined the limits of America’s military capabilities, but did not drive away old habits and manners, aggressive and unbridled rhetoric, as evidenced by the American intervention in Ukraine as a party to the conflict.

However, the Americans will still have to change their views, getting rid of the entitlement syndrome, which was so clearly manifested in the scandal with the vial. They will also have to reckon with Russia and China, as well as other major international players that are shaping a more equitable multilateral world order.

☝️ One should not expect that the memory of what happened 20 years ago will be buried in the quicksands of modern history.

⚡️ Emergency statement by the Joint Coordination Headquarters of the Russian Federation on Humanitarian Response in Ukraine

◽️ According to the information, confirmed by several independent sources, Ukrainian intelligence services intend to implement a large-scale provocation to accuse the Russian Federation of committing alleged 'war crimes'.

◽️ With this purpose, the Kiev regime has planned a guided explosion at the buildings of the narcological and oncological clinics (Alekseya Tikhogo st., 31), as well as the 1st hospital (Alekseya Tikhogo st., 17) in Kramatorsk to accuse Russia of the allegedly 'intentional attacks' against civilian facilities.

◽️ Journalists of Western mass media, accompanied by officers of the Security Service of Ukraine, have already arrived in Kramatorsk, and are currently accommodated in the 'Sapfir' hotel (Vrachebnaya st., 35).

◽️ At the same time, the staff of the healthcare facilities have not been evacuated yet. All the employees remain in remote working mode until special instructions.
 
◽️ The explosion of the healthcare facilities in Kramatorsk will be presented by Western mass media as another 'atrocity', committed by Russian forces, that will require a response from the international community, and an acceleration in supplying Kiev with long-range missiles for launching strikes at the territory of Russia.

◽️ Amidst the military failures of Ukrainian army, the Kiev authorities are trying to use these provocations for intensifying the pressure on the Western countries' public opinion in order to reach the amplification in the range of modern armament and military hardware to be delivered to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

@mod_russia_en

🪁 Ride the wind: Extreme athletes compete in Russian Snow Kiting Championships

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Good morning, India! 🌞 शुभ प्रभात, भारत!

📸 Tobolsk, Russia

🎙 Deputy Foreign MinisterAlexander Grushko’s interview with Parlamentskaya Gazeta (February 3, 2023)

Read in full

❓ Question: Russia announced its withdrawal from the Council of Europe in March 2022. Why was the draft law on terminating the Council of Europe’s treaties with Russia introduced now?

💬 The conventions listed in the draft law were ratified by federal laws, so their termination should also be formalised by a federal law the drafting of which involved complex coordination by and between several agencies.

💬 I hope our deputies and senators will support the draft law, all the more so as it is of a technical nature and just codifies the realities that took shape last year.

❓Question: The agreements signed by the CoE member states include the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism, to name a few. How will the termination of these documents with regard to Russia affect our citizens and international security cooperation?

💬 When Russia joined these conventions, their provisions were integrated into Russian legislation, and they remain there. Let's not forget about the code of international obligations. Our country is committed to the UN universal human rights conventions and agreements within the CIS and other regional formats. In general, the Constitution of the Russian Federation guarantees a wider range of rights and freedoms than the European Convention on Human Rights and other CoE treaties.

❓ Question: Will Russia be willing to return to the Council of Europe? What will make it consider that option?

💬 As you may be aware, the Council of Europe, as the first section of its charter says, was created to achieve greater unity of the European peoples. Through the efforts of the West, it has now become something of the opposite nature. It makes no sense to return to such an organisation, which is a kind of a waiting room for the European Union.

Good morning, India! 🌞 शुभ प्रभात, भारत!

📸 Saint Petersburg, Russia

​​🗓 Top News Today

🇷🇺 Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu has hosted a teleconference with the leadership of the Armed Forces.

🇷🇺🇸🇾 Russian Group of Forces in Syria continues providing assistance in eliminating the consequences of the earthquake.

💥 In Kupyansk direction, the attacks, launched by Ground-Assault and Army aviation, as well as the artillery of the 'Zapad' Group of Forces, have resulted in the neutralisation of the AFU manpower and hardware near Ivanovka, Berestovoye (Kharkov region), and Novosyolovskoye (LPR).

💥 In Krasny Liman direction, the attacks, launched by Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, the artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems of the 'Tsentr' Group of Forces, have resulted in the neutralisation of the AFU units near Novosadovoye (DPR), Nevskoye, Chervonopopovka, and Chervonaya Dibrova (LPR), as well as Serebryanskoye forestry.

💥 In South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, the artillery of the 'Vostok' Group of Forces has neutralised the AFU manpower and hardware near Ugledar and Vodyanoye (DPR).

🚊 Eastern MD engineers clear the tram depot and tracks from explosive devices in Mariupol.

📹 Russian Defence Ministry has published footage of Army Aviation helicopters and Airborne Troops' assault groups in combat action within the special military operation.

#MoD #TopNews #Russia #Ukraine
@mod_russia_en

Step by step: mine action and tram service restoration in Mariupol

The mine action detachment, formed by Eastern MD Engineering Troops' professionals, cleared the tram depot and tracks from explosive devices in Mariupol.

◽️ The tram service of Mariupol is currently immobilised and still remains de-energised. Urban services have commenced to restore the infrastructure of local electric transport system: draw wires, and check the overhead catenary.

◽️ Engineers have explored each centimetre of the tram depot, and around 25 kilometres of tram tracks. The detected explosives are to be destroyed at safe distances from residential buildings.

◽️ The 10-kilometre-long tram line is scheduled to be put in operation this year. The first tram is mostly expected by local residents who currently have to change their regular routes. Since the return of various residents to Mariupol, the capacity of buses is running out.

@mod_russia_en

Completing his mission in Jakarta Russian 🇷🇺 Ambassador to #ASEAN H.E. Mr. Alexander Ivanov sums up the work being done during his tenure in the article "ASEAN does matter to Russia. A lot".

💬Indeed, for the last several years Russia became an indispensable actor in the Asia Pacific. Our #ASEAN friends understand and appreciate a constructive stabilizing role of Russia 🇷🇺 with no hidden agenda in the region. Our philosophies of international relations, based on the principle of sovereign equality of nations, are similar.

❗️Our practical cooperation reached a status of strategic partnership in 2018, fixed during the Summit of our leaders in Singapore. During these years in addition to existing areas of cooperation, we have managed to launch and actively promote new ones, including Consultations of the High Representatives for Security Issues, Dialogue on ICT Security-related issues, meetings of Tourism ministers and others. In the end of 2021 we successfully held the first ASEAN-Russia Naval Exercises (#ARNEX) in the Indonesian territorial waters. In 2022 we organized a number of events within the framework of ASEAN-Russia Year of Scientific and Technical Cooperation. Dozens of joint projects were implemented and financed by Russia 🇷🇺 in various spheres ranging from agriculture to training of ASEAN health experts and specialists of law-enforcement agencies. We continued to develop practical cooperation between ASEAN and Eurasian Economic Union as well as with Shanghai Cooperation Organization, thus moving the processes of integration of integrations across the huge Eurasian continent.

🔻We firmly believe that #ASEAN-centered mechanisms of cooperation, created in the last 55 years and based on the principles of equality, mutual respect and constructive engagement, including the #EAS, #ARF and #ADMM-Plus, played the pivotal role in stabilizing the region, balancing the interests of all big players and promoting mutual trust, which are prerequisites of the Asia Pacific phenomenon of becoming the main engine of the global economic growth. For many decades there were no hot military conflicts in the region. Largely it is the merit of #ASEAN wisdom and its leading role in shaping multilateral cooperation here. That is why Russia strongly supports #ASEAN centrality in the region not only in words but in deeds. 🤝

🔻There are many internal and external challenges for #ASEAN in the turbulent situation of strategic ambiguity. I am sure that the current Indonesian 🇮🇩 Chair will be able to navigate the “ASEAN ship” through the troubled waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans.

🔗https://www.thejakartapost.com/opinion/2023/02/06/asean-does-matter-to-russia-a-lot.html

🌐 The Russian delegation comprising of the Russian Energy and Foreign Affairs Ministries’ representatives took part in the 1st meeting of the G20 Working Group on Energy Transitions held in Bangalore, India, on February 5-6, 2023.

During the event, the Russian Side focused on a need to push forward the necessity of solving urgent problems of international energy security. Particular attention was paid to such priorities as universal access to modern energy sources, effective promotion of economic growth and reasonable reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to reduce the pressure on the climate.

Learn more ➡️ here

CEO of PJSC Rosneft Oil Company Igor Sechin participated in the India Energy Week 2023, a key forum in South Asia dedicated to the energy security and ecological sustainability.

During the session with ministers, he highlighted India's position as a leader in the global economic growth and Russia's achievements despite the unprecedented sanctions and pressure.

He also spoke on the destruction of the single energy market and the consequences of Europe's rejection of Russian gas, resulting in increased prices and a drop in GDP.

He also elaborated on the need for investment in the energy industry to meet a growing demand and emphasized the importance of energy security in the global energy balance.

Learn more ➡ here

On February 2, we marked 80 years since the end of the Battle of Stalingrad that was undoubtedly the turning point in the WWII. It was the most brutal & the bloodiest battle in the history of warfare. Russian victory in Stalingrad changed the history of the 20th century. You are very welcome to read an article by Achala Moulik about the events of that period

🇷🇺 On February 10, #Russia will celebrate #DiplomatsDay. To mark this occasion the Embassy's school named after Alexander Kadakin, prominent Russian diplomat, former Ambassador to India, hosted a special lesson.

Diplomats from the Embassy shared their experiences and insights with students. They told about their work, principles of diplomacy, and rich traditions that guide their practice.

The students also had a chance to showcase their appreciation with a special show. The performance was a celebration of the values of diplomacy, including trustful cooperation, mutual understanding and respect. It was a touching tribute to the diplomats who serve our country with distinction.

Good morning, India! 🌞 शुभ प्रभात, भारत!

📸 Kaliningrad, Russia

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🌐 5th Multilateral Consultations of Secretaries of Security Councils on Afghanistan held in Moscow. The meeting was attended by high representatives in charge of security issues from India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The Russian Side was represented by Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.

Issues of international security were discussed with an emphasis on resolving the situation in Afghanistan. The importance of fulfilling the international obligations assumed by the current Kabul authorities to counter terrorism and extremism, drug trafficking, as well as to form an ethno-politically balanced government and to respect human rights was noted.

At the meeting, a number of additional practical measures were proposed aimed at expanding joint actions in counterterrorism, as well as at cutting off channels for financing terrorism, intensifying cooperation in combating transnational organized crime, illegal arms and drug trafficking, as well as preventing illegal migration.

The significance of joining efforts in solving complex problems in the area of security, continuing a constructive dialogue and finding efficient solutions that are adequate to the challenges and threats emanating from the territory of Afghanistan was underscored.

It was agreed to continue the practice of holding multilateral consultations of the Secretaries of Security Councils on Afganistan on an annual basis.