🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks following the 21st annual session of the Valdai International Discussion Club (Sochi, November 6, 2024)

💬 I was invited to discuss the issue of Eurasian security at the regular annual session of the Valdai International Discussion Club, a matter of great urgency.

President Vladimir Putin, in his address at the Russian Foreign Ministry on June 14 this year, outlined the goal of fostering cooperation among the diverse countries and associations of the Eurasian continent. This aims to harmonise their efforts towards ensuring reliable stability, security, and sustainable development.

It was underscored that this initiative is open to all countries and entities on the Eurasian continent, including its western sections, without exception.

This is not in line with the rules imposed by NATO and the European Union, where Washington and Brussels dictate terms, but rather adheres to the principles spelled out in the UN Charter. These principles are observed within the #EAEU, the #SCO, #ASEAN, and other organisations on our shared continent. It is a commitment to sovereign equality of states, mutual respect for each other's interests, and pursuit of balanced interests to implement constructive projects. <...>

Today, we are witnessing these processes materialise swiftly and effectively, establishing a tangible foundation for a continent-wide system of Eurasian security. <...>

The process of developing and refining the direction of Eurasian security is proving to be very productive. This was clearly evident at the recent BRICS summit in Kazan, where President Vladimir Putin dedicated a substantial part of his statements to promoting continental partnership among all nations. <...>

Today, my colleagues at the Valdai Club and I reached a common conclusion: it was the West's reaction to the independent policies of Russia and other countries, leading to unlawful and aggressive economic sanctions, that fragmented the globalisation system it had crafted and propelled the regionalisation of global life.

☝️ We believe this is a corrective process. It will yield positive effects by ensuring the multipolarity that is increasingly discussed and actively championed by Russia, China, and other #BRICS countries, alongside other associations with our participation on the international stage.

In a multipolar world, without a single hegemon but with multiple centres of global development, operations will naturally harmonise through mutual contacts.

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🗓 On November 7, 1941, the historic military parade took place on the Red Square in Moscow marking the 24th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution.

The parade was organised and held, when the Nazi forces were already approaching the Soviet capital — at the time an unthinkable endeavour.

Not only was it a defiance of Hitler's war machine and inhumane regime, but a testament to the unbending will of the Soviet people, the parade showed the Red Army soldiers and officers’ resilience and determination.

The march involved some 28'500 servicemen, as well as 140 artillery pieces, 160 tanks, and 232 vehicles. From the Red Square, Soviet soldiers and officers headed directly to the front, ready to defend their Motherland from the Nazis no matter the hardships and seemingly improbable odds.

The military parade became a symbol of the Soviet people’s fortitude and courage, inspired them in their fight against German aggression. It bolstered the USSR’s international prestige and strengthened the Allied coalition.

⚔️ A month later, the “invincible” Wehrmacht suffered its first major defeat, and Hitler’s ambitious blitzkrieg plan against the Soviet Union was thwarted.

In 2004, a federal law was passed designating November 7 as a Day of Military Glory in Russia in honour of the Red Square military parade. Ever since, festive concerts and exhibitions commemorating this event have been held annually across the country.

#Victory79