🗓 On March 3, 1878, the Russian and Ottoman Empires concluded the Treaty of San Stefano, which proclaimed our country’s victory in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878.

According to the treaty, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro gained complete independence, while Bulgaria, which had been under Ottoman rule for almost 500 years, was granted broad autonomy. 100,000 Russian soldiers sacrificed their lives for the liberation of the Balkan peoples.

⚔️ The decisive battles of the Russo-Turkish War took place in Bulgaria, and the day of signing the Treaty of San Stefano has since become a national holiday in that Balkan country.

The conclusion of the peace treaty laid the foundation for fruitful cooperation between Russia and Bulgaria. Relations between our countries followed an upward path for a long period.

March 3 remains Bulgaria’s national holiday to this day, known as the Day of Liberation from the Ottoman Dominion.

Prominent Russian diplomat and statesman Nikolay Ignatyev played a key role in negotiating the Treaty of San Stefano. He was the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Empire to the Ottoman Porte for over a decade, and signed the treaty on Russia’s behalf.

💬 Nikolay Ignatyev (during his visit to Bulgaria in 1902):

My aspiration has always been free Bulgaria. I hold the Bulgarian people dear to my heart and wish them prosperity.

Today, relations between Russia and Bulgaria are at their low point. The current government is pursuing a openly Russophobic policy, thus destroying the foundation of our bilateral cooperation.

💬 Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria Eleonora Mitrofanova:

Currently, we are witnessing a deliberate campaign to erase anything positive about our country from Bulgarians’ consciousness.

(from the Russian Ambassador’s interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda, February 6, 2024).

Despite this, the Bulgarian people remember history and appreciate Russia’s contribution to Bulgaria’s independence, while the citizens of both our nations maintain warm relations.

🎙 FM Sergey Lavrov’s remarks and answers to media questions following the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (March 2, 2024)

Key talking points:

🔸 The UN is not a "bad organisation" per se and by itself. Let me stress once again that its Charter contains all the principles necessary to ensure fairness in international relations. Those who had decisive weight in the world economy and in technological development until recently, decided that they needed to manipulate international law in order to maintain their dwindling dominance. I think this is the main problem today.

🔸 We have no shortage of goodwill [for negotiations with Ukraine]. But we see a lack of it on the other side. And it is not so much goodwill that is in short supply as an understanding of what is happening.

🔸 The war camp in Europe remains strong. The most recent statements by French President Macron, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin, and the dialogue of German generals go to show that the war party is insisting on its policy of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield.

🔸 We can withhold the funds that the Western countries hold in Russia and which were frozen in response to the seizing of Russia’s national reserves. There can be no doubt that we will respond appropriately.

🔸 The West must understand that they made a mistake in Ukraine and should right that wrong. We will not stop them from doing so in a way that will make them think they have saved face.

🔸 We are convinced that a Palestinian state is not a whim, nor just a resolution the UN approved in the remote past. It is impossible to stop violence in the Middle East unless it is implemented. The Arab street won’t calm down, when it sees injustice and how attempts are being made to perpetuate this injustice.

🔸 We are sorry that the Armenian leadership has apparently made a conscious decision to pursue a policy of undermining relations with Russia and blaming Russia for everything that happened to Nagorno-Karabakh. This is not in the nature of allied relations

Read in full

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s answers to questions during a special session of a large MGIMO discussion programme combined with the 7th Global Forum of Young Diplomats, Russia and Its Role in Shaping a Multipolar World (Sochi, March 4, 2024)

🔹 Western priorities in relations with Russia
🔹 The modern concept of multipolarity
🔹 The role of the UN in international relations
🔹 EU plans to interfere in the Russian presidential election
🔹 Fighting the politicisation of sport
🔹 Russia's relations with its closest partners
🔹 Russia-US relations


📰 Read in full
📺 Watch in full

***

#CrimeanBridge

What is interesting are the words said by Western figures, including the response of German politicians when the truth about the recording of conversations between German generals was revealed. Some of them are concerned there was a leak from a secure line. The fact that German weapons and the personnel servicing them are going to be used to attack the Russian Federation, including the Crimean Bridge and ammo depots, is not surprising. They wonder why the secure line turned out to be not so secure. This says a lot.

#Election2024

We have accumulated a lot of evidence on how the EU embassies in Moscow are preparing for our presidential elections. I am referring to interference mechanisms, certain “supporting projects” for the non-systemic opposition – in short, things that embassies have no right to address.

#RussiaUS

The Americans approach us every now and then. They have asked us not to deploy weapons in space. They have asked for a meeting. As if nothing happened. They say they must defeat us on the battlefield in Ukraine but other than that, let’s discuss strategic issues. President Vladimir Putin said that they are not serious and it goes against the natural course of things.

#Gagarin90

🗓 Today, legendary Soviet cosmonaut, First Man in Space Yuri Gagarin would have turned 9️⃣0️⃣!

Gagarin was born in the village of Klushino, Gzhatsk District, Smolensk Region. It was here, in 1941, during the Great Patriotic War, that he saw Soviet aircraft flying in the air to defend the Motherland, which sparked his dream of flying.

In 1954, while studying at an industrial college, Gagarin joined the Saratov aviation club, where he made the decision to dedicate his life to being a pilot. After completing the training course, he enrolled in a military aviation school in 1955 and went on to become a pilot in the Northern Fleet Air Force in 1957.

🚀 In 1959, upon learning about the recruitment of volunteers for an upcoming space flight, Gagarin submitted a request to join the cosmonaut group. Out of nearly 3,500 jet pilots, only 20 volunteers were selected. After completing a series of rigorous trainings, tests and exams, Yuri Gagarin was chosen to become Cosmonaut № 1.

The historic space flight took place on April 12, 1961. The news instantly spread around the globe. In Moscow, thousands of people welcomed Gagarin with flowers and banners.

🌐 After the historic event, Yuri Gagarin went on a two year-long Peace Mission, visiting over 30 countries. Despite the sudden fame, Gagarin never abandoned his passion for aviation and space exploration.

🕯 The life of the first cosmonaut tragically ended on March 27, 1968. He died during a training flight while piloting a MiG-15UTI jet. Gagarin’s death shocked the world. His ashes were placed in the Kremlin Wall in Moscow next to the ashes of the Chief Soviet spacecraft designer Sergey Korolev.

The memory of Yuri Gagarin, Hero of the Soviet Union, as well as his legacy is immortalised with places named after him in Russia and abroad. The busts in honour of the space pioneer are still being installed around the world.

🎙 Briefing by MFA Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova (Moscow, March 6, 2024)

🔹 The World Youth Festival in Sochi
🔹 FM Sergey Lavrov’s schedule
🔹 Ukrainian crisis
🔹 Election 2024
🔹 Russia’s contribution to the UN World Food Programme Fund and global food security effort
🔹 Situation in Moldova
🔹 Further evidence of British military crimes in Afghanistan
🔹 Crisis in EU agriculture

📰 Read in full
📺 Watch in full

***

#Election2024

Russian overseas missions continue taking steps to strengthen security measures at polling stations. We have been receiving an ever-increasing number of calls intended to disrupt the voting procedure.

For example, the Estonian authorities have unequivocally warned [the country’s residents] about the “consequences” of participating in this election. Have you ever seen this kind of democracy?

#Ukraine

On March 4, the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Frenchman Thierry Breton, reminded the Kiev regime that military aid is not entirely gratuitous. In other words, they are telling the Kiev regime that everything the West has provided them with must be paid for eventually.

Do you think the EU, NATO, the US or UK will rebuild housing for Ukrainian civilians? Rebuild infrastructure? Maybe open schools for free? They will charge money upfront for it, on top of the debt that Ukraine and the Ukrainian people owe them now.

#FoodSecurity

Despite the rampant sanctions harassment by the Western countries, Russia is continuing to steadily build up agricultural production.

According to preliminary data, Russian agricultural exports reached about $44 billion last year. We export food to more than 160 countries, primarily the developing and poorest countries.

🇷🇺 Interview by Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov to «Rossiya 24» (with English subtitles)

🔴 Main topics:

🔵 Visit of the IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to Russia

🔵 March session of the IAEA Board of Governors

🎙 Interview of Russia's President Vladimir Putin to TV host and Rossiya Segodnya Director General Dmitry Kiselev (March 13, 2024):

Key talking points

💬 Russia is not at the crossroads. It is on the strategic path of its development and will not deviate from its path.

#MultipolarWorld

• Many people in the world are looking at us, at what is happening in our country and in our struggle for our interests. <...> They associate our struggle for our independence and true sovereignty with their aspirations for their own sovereignty and independent development.

• This is aggravated by the fact that there is a very strong desire in Western elites to freeze the current unjust state of affairs in international affairs. They've spent centuries filling their bellies with human flesh and their pockets with money. But they must realise that the vampire ball is ending.

#Ukraine

• Are we ready to negotiate? We are. But we are not ready for talks that are based on some kind of ”wishful thinking“, but we are ready for talks based on the realities that have developed on the ground.

• We are open to a serious discussion, and we are eager to resolve all conflicts by peaceful means. However, we must be sure that this is not just another pause that the enemy wants to use for rearmament, but rather a serious conversation with security guarantees for Russia.

#US #RussiaUS

• We know what it is to have American troops on Russian soil. They are interventionists. That is how we will treat them even if they appear in the territory of Ukraine.

• I have said many times that it [achieving the goals of the special military operation & resolving the conflict] is a matter of life and death for us, while for them it is a matter of improving their tactical position in the world on the whole as well as maintaining their status among their allies in Europe in particular.

Read in full

🎙 Briefing by MFA Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova (Moscow, March 13, 2024)

🔹 FM Sergey Lavrov’s schedule
🔹 Ukrainian crisis
🔹 Russian Presidential Election 2024
🔹 10th Anniversary of Crimea’s reunification with Russia
🔹 On dismantling the monument to Waffen-SS Galicia Division in Oakville, Canada
🔹 Regarding the return Russian minors from combat zones and their social adaptation
🔹 Slobodan Milosevic’s death anniversary

📰 Read in full
📺 Watch in full

***

#Election2024

The Russian MFA Commission on Elections has done a lot of extensive work, with 288 polling stations established in 144 countries.

As the voting period approaches, we are recording an increasing number of attempts to interfere with the organisation and conduct of elections abroad and from abroad.

☝️ The full-fledged voting of Russian citizens abroad will be guaranteed despite any attempts to interfere in the domestic affairs of the Russian Federation.

#Ukraine #France

President Macron continues to talk about sending European military personnel to Ukraine. On March 7, at a meeting with parliamentarians, he did not rule out the option of sending a French contingent if the Russian army, as was said during that meeting, advances towards Kiev or Odessa.

Statements made by Macron and other NATO politicians about sending in contingents, troops or paramilitary units to Ukraine are related to dividing (from their point of view) what remains of Ukraine.

#Syria

A special flight operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces arrived in Moscow on March 10, 2024, carrying another group of 32 children on board. They came from camps for internally displaced persons in the northeast of the Syrian Arab Republic.

The MFA and the Russian Embassy in Damascus persist in their efforts to repatriate as quickly as possible all Russian children who found themselves in Syria due to their parents’ involvement in international terrorist activities.

According to Ms Lvova-Belova, as many as 414 Russian minors have already been successfully returned to Russia.

🎙 President Vladimir Putin's address to the citizens of Russia (March 14, 2024)

💬 Vladimir Putin: Tomorrow, March 15, the polling stations will open across our vast country, and the three-day voting in the presidential election will begin.

This is the eighth time a presidential election will be held in Russia, which shows the inviolability of the principle of holding regular elections which is one of the basic principles of a democratic state. The outcome will directly affect the development of the country in the coming years.

This is an important high-stakes event and, as the incumbent head of state, I believe it is necessary to address you today.

I would like to emphasise that the people are the only source of power in our country. This key legal provision is enshrined in the Constitution. It means that only you, the citizens of Russia, determine the future of the Motherland.

<...>

Let me be frank with you: participating in the election today is a manifestation of patriotism. This is well understood by the residents of Donbass and Novorossiya who, under the most trying circumstances, voted during referendums on unity with Russia and will make their choice now as well.

<...>

It is imperative to confirm our unity and our resolve to move forward together. Your every vote is valuable and important. So, I urge you to exercise your right to vote during the next three days. Polling stations will open everywhere, in every city, town, and village of our large country.

All of us, the multi-ethnic people of Russia, are one big family. We care and worry about our native country. We want it to flourish, to be strong, free, and prosperous. We want the standard of living and quality of life to improve. And so it will be. We will do everything exactly the way we want it.

So, please come to the polling stations and make your civic and patriotic position clear, vote for the candidate of your choice, and for the prosperous future of our beloved Russia.

Read in full

Комментарий Посольства в связи со статьёй норвежской газеты Aftenposten
Обратили внимание на очередной вопиющий пример распространения недостоверной информации норвежской газетой «Афтенпостен».
В опубликованной 20 марта статье украинского журналиста этой газеты П.Красномовца о состоявшихся выборах Президента России голословно и грубо искажены результаты волеизъявления наших сограждан в Норвегии.
В частности, в статье при расчёте процентного соотношения голосов в пользу кандидатов полностью исключены недействительные избирательные бюллетени (их было 172), что противоречит ст. 76 п.3 закона «О выборах Президента Российской Федерации», согласно которому результаты выборов определяются по числу избирательных бюллетеней установленной формы, обнаруженных в ящиках для голосования.
Участковая комиссия при Посольстве учитывала все бюллетени независимо от характера надписей на них, если проставленные отметки позволяли установить волеизъявление избирателя.
Другими словами, недействительные бюллетени должны учитываться при определении процента поданных голосов за кандидата.
В статье также сделан акцент на сниженном количестве избирателей в этом году – 859 (1155 – в 2018 г.), которое в реальности обусловлено невозможностью проведения в этом году выездных голосований в других норвежских городах. В этой связи выражаем благодарность всем нашим согражданам, проделавшим долгий путь до избирательных участков.
Свои выдуманные результаты по всей Норвегии журналист «Афтенпостен» сравнивает с результатами экзит-полла НПО «Голосуй за рубежом», который проводился только в Осло и совершенно не учитывает 33% тех, кто отказался сообщать о своём выборе в пользу одного из кандидатов. Это подтверждается в т.ч. представителем организации Д.Бондаренко Гриффином, который заявил газете «Дагбладет», что далеко не все из них согласились с ним разговаривать.
С сожалением отмечаем не только умышленное распространение недостоверной информации газетой «Афтенпостен», но и низкий профессионализм и предвзятость работы журналистов концерна «Schibsted», которому принадлежит газета. Весьма показательно, что такой тенденциозный материал был поручен выходцу с Украины.
С истинными данными о результатах голосования предлагаем ознакомиться на сайте ЦИК России по следующей ссылке: http://www.vybory.izbirkom.ru/#election-results . Там всё написано: сколько процентов набрал каждый из кандидатов.

Ambassadekommentar i forbindelse med artikkelen i Aftenposten

Vi registrerte et nytt skrikende eksempel på at norske Aftenposten sprer falsk informasjon.

I artikkelen av 20. mars om presidentvalg i Russland skrevet av en ukrainsk journalist Pavlo Krasnomovets fra denne avisen, er resultatene av stemmegivningen av våre medborgere i Norge grunnløst og grovt forvrengt.

Ved beregningen av prosenttall av stemmene for kandidater ekskluderes i denne artikkelen ugyldige stemmesedler (det var 172 av dem) noe som strider mot p.3 art. 76 av loven «Om valg av Den Russiske Føderasjons President». Ifølge loven bestemmes valgresultatene etter antall stemmesedler av fastsatt form som man finner i valgurnene. Valgkretskommisjonen har tatt hensyn til alle stemmesedler uansett type skrifter på dem, dersom påførte tegn lar seg å identifisere velgerens stemmegivning.

Med andre ord skal ugyldige stemmesedler tas i betraktning under bestemmelse av prosenttall av avgitte stemmer for kandidater.

I artikkelen påpekes det også en lavere valgdeltakelse i år – 859 (1155 – i 2018), som i virkeligheten er grunnet med at det ikke var mulig å gjennomføre avstemning i andre norske byer. I denne forbindelse takker vi alle våre medborgere for å ha tatt en lang tur til valglokalene.

Aftenpostens journalist sammenligner sine oppdiktede resultater fra hele Norge med valgdagsmåling av organisasjonen «Vote abroad» som ble gjennomført kun i Oslo og tar ingen hensyn til 33% av de som nektet å svare om deres stemme for en av kandidatene. Dette bekreftes også av organisasjonens representant Dmitrij Bondarenko Griffin som uttalte til Dagbladet om at veldig få av de som stemte for en av kandidatene ville snakke med ham.

Vi registrerer med beklagelse ikke bare at Aftenposten sprer falsk informasjon bevisst, men også lav profesjonalisme og partiskhet av journalister fra Schibsted-konsernet som eier avisen. Det er meget eksemplarisk at denne tendensiøse saken ble underlagt til en person som kommer fra Ukraina.

Med sanne valgdata kan man bli kjent på nettsiden til Sentrale valgkommisjonen i Russland via følgende lenke http://www.vybory.izbirkom.ru/#election-results . Der finner man om hvor mange prosent av stemmene fikk enhver kandidat.

🚀 March 18 marks one of the most important dates in the history of space exploration. It was on this day 5️⃣9️⃣ years ago, in 1965, that Soviet cosmonaut Alexey Leonov performed the first ever spacewalk. Having stepped out of the "Voskhod-2" spacecraft, piloted by Pavel Belyaev, into near-Earth space, Leonov added another great achievement to the hall of fame of Soviet/Russian cosmonautics.

The spacewalk itself lasted 23 minutes & 41 seconds, 12 minutes & 9 seconds of which were spent in free fall, floating in space.

As I stepped out from the airlock, I felt a powerful stream of light and heat, reminiscent of electric welding. Above me was a black sky and bright, unblinking stars. The sun appeared to me as a glowing disc of fire.

This is how Alexey Leonov described his feelings, speaking from the podium of Moscow Mausoleum. Together with his crewmate Pavel Belyaev, they were hailed as heroes by the whole Moscow city.

🎖 Lieutenant Colonel Alexey Leonov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star Medal for the successful flight, along with the courage & heroism shown during it.

Today, spacewalk is a routine (still a highlight though) of the otherwise busy ISS schedule: scientific research, repair work, installation of new equipment on the station's exterior, launch of small satellites and much more. All this was made possible thanks to the colossal work and joint efforts of many Soviet specialists and enterprises, as well as the personal courage of our cosmonauts.

#SpaceExplorationHistory

🎙 President Vladimir Putin's address to Russian citizens on the outcome of the presidential election (March 21, 2024)

💬 The official results of the presidential election were announced today. The election campaign, which was extremely important for our country, society and citizens, has come to a close.

<...>

This election campaign was intense and extremely important. At the end of the day, we were choosing Russia's future direction; we were deciding on our own future and that of our children. The absolute majority of the voters who cast their ballot realised the significance of this event.

Once again, I would like to thank everyone who took part in the voting, regardless of which candidate you voted for. Most importantly, you have shown that you treat your civic duty with respect, value freedom of choice and your vote, and to reiterate, every one of your votes was of great importance.

<...>

Thank you for your support. It is more important to me than the formal victory in the elections. It signifies support for the political and economic policies of our country and our overall results, which, of course, should be more extensive, but are nonetheless making Russia stronger and more independent.

A few words about the performance of election commissions at all levels. As always, you acted efficiently and competently, adhering to the principles of transparency and strict compliance with the law. The members of the election commissions in our historical territories showed courage and bravery, serving as an example for voters.

Thank you for your trust. <...> We will do everything possible to ensure the successful implementation of the ambitious national projects and programmes that I recently outlined in my Address.

🇷🇺 The elections have revealed that Russia today is one big, closely-knit family. We are steadfastly following the historical path we have chosen. We have confidence in ourselves, our abilities, and our future.

Read in full

#Election2024

9 марта 2024 г. по случаю 90-летия со дня рождения первого космонавта Ю.А.Гагарина проживающие в Бергене соотечественники возложили цветы к его бюсту.

9. mars 2024 i anledning 90-årsjubileet for den første kosmonauten Jurij Gagarins fødsel nedla russiske landsfolk blomster til minnesmerket over ham i Bergen.

⚡️ Russian MFA Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova:

The Russian Foreign Ministry is receiving phone calls with condolences from ordinary citizens from all around the globe following the horrible tragedy at the Krokus City Hall venue in Moscow. They are expressing the strongest condemnation of this bloody terrorist attack, transpiring right before the eyes of the entire world.

As the Russian authorities have already stated, all efforts at the current moment are devoted to saving the people [still at the site of the attack].

❗️ The international community is obliged to condemn this horrendous crime!

Наши соотечественники и норвежцы продолжают нести цветы к Посольству России в Осло в память о жертвах атаки на «Крокус Сити Холл» в России.

Våre landsfolk og nordmenn fortsetter å bringe blomster til Russlands Ambassade i Oslo til minnet om ofre av angrepet på Crocus City Hall i Russland.