🇷🇺 The Russian Federation welcomes the accession of the Republic of Indonesia to #BRICS as a full-fledged participant from January 1, 2025.

The candidacy of Indonesia was submitted and approved in advance during the first phase of BRICS’ expansion at the Summit in Johannesburg, the Republic of South Africa, in 2023. However, in the context of the 2024 presidential elections, Indonesian partners decided to postpone Jakarta’s official request pending the inauguration of the new head of state and the appointment of the government.

During Russia’s BRICS chairship in 2024, the Republic of Indonesia submitted an official request for joining BRICS. The document was examined in accordance with the guiding principles, standards, criteria and procedures for BRICS membership expansion. All BRICS states agreed, by consensus, to support the Indonesian bid.

🇮🇩 #Indonesia, the largest economy and most populous nation in Southeast Asia, shares BRICS values, advocates multilateral cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect, openness, pragmatism, solidarity and consensus.

Indonesia’s accession to BRICS will help enhance the group’s authority and prestige still further and will also facilitate the consistent consolidation of the Global South and East for forging a more equitable and well-balanced multipolar world order.

❗️ Statement by the Foreign Ministry regarding the latest US Sanctions against the Russian Federation

The decision by the current US administration to impose new restrictive measures against Russia’s energy sector as a whole, as well as against several major companies, including personal sanctions targeting their leadership and officials from the Russian Ministry of Energy, represents an attempt to inflict damage on the Russian economy at any cost, even at the risk of destabilising global markets. This move comes in the waning days of President Joe Biden’s lacklustre tenure in office.

Against the backdrop of Washington’s failed bid to achieve a “strategic defeat” over Moscow, and despite unprecedented external pressure through sanctions aimed at undermining the Russian economy, our country has not only withstood these efforts but continues to develop. The outgoing administration’s attempts to further tighten restrictions appear to be aimed at creating maximum obstacles for bilateral economic relations, including those involving US businesses, or making such cooperation entirely impossible.

In the process, the interests of both the United States’ European allies – who are being forced to switch to more expensive and less reliable American supplies ­– and its own citizens are being sacrificed. This is particularly evident as the population suffers from the aftermath of massive wildfires in California. Public opinion on rising fuel prices, which mattered before the November presidential election (when Russian petroleum products were quietly purchased through intermediaries), can now be ignored. As a result, the incoming president, who cannot revoke these sanctions without congressional approval, will inherit a scorched earth policy – both figuratively and literally.

☝️ Naturally, Washington’s hostile actions will not go unanswered and will be taken into account as we shape our foreign economic strategy.

Major domestic projects for oil and gas extraction, import substitution, oilfield services, and the construction of nuclear power plants in third countries will continue to move forward. Despite the convulsions in the White House and the manoeuvres of the Russophobic lobby in the West, seeking to drag the global energy sector into the US-initiated hybrid war against Russia, our country remains, and will continue to be, a key and reliable player in the global fuel market.

📄 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation has compiled and issued a Report 'On Violations of the Rights of Russian Citizens and Fellow Citizens in Foreign Countries'

☝️ We note with regret that the problem of violation of the rights of Russian citizens and compatriots abroad still has no signs of any improvement so far and, moreover, the negative trends continue due to the efforts of the collective West. <...>

All such violations of the rights of Russians, such as denial of a wide range of services (educational, medical, banking, etc.), the introduction of measures against Russian business and seizure of property of Russian citizens, suspension of Russians from sports and culture events, hypocritically forcing them to public repentance and condemnation of the actions of Russian authorities (here one should also point out double standards applied by international sports organizations against Russians and representatives of some other countries in similar situations).

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Elisey Mysin: Prelude to Greatness – A Piano Prodigy’s Singapore Debut 🎹

Join us for an evening of breathtaking music with Elisey Mysin, a 13-year-old piano prodigy from Russia whose extraordinary talent has garnered international recognition and critical acclaim.

📅 Sunday, 23 February 2025
🕖 4:30 PM
📍 Victoria Concert Hall

Elisey has triumphed in numerous prestigious piano competitions, including the Cleveland International Piano Competition for Young Artists, the Nashville Chopin Piano Competition, the International Schumann Competition in Düsseldorf, and and the Zhuhai International Mozart Competition.

Elisey has also performed at renowned venues such as the Bolshoi Theatre and collaborated with legendary musicians, including Denis Matsuev.

For his Singapore debut, Elisey will present an exquisite program that spans the brilliance of Mozart, Schumann, Chopin, and Prokofiev.

🎟 Tickets: https://www.sistic.com.sg/events/elisey0225

Embassy comment

We have noted the renewed activity of Jonathan Eyal, a correspondent for the Singaporean newspaper The Straits Times, who published an article on January 15 titled “Will Trump end the war in Ukraine in 100 days?”.

We will leave the author’s speculation on this matter to his own discretion; however, it is evident that he is not a proponent of a swift resolution to the situation in Ukraine.

To clarify the journalist’s reflections, we recommend him to take a closer and more detailed look at the statement and answers to media questions on the Russia’s diplomacy outcomes 2024 by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on January 14, 2025, with a particular focus to the following points from his remarks:

(unofficial translation)

“When Donald Trump, upon assuming the presidency, fully formulates his position on Ukrainian matters, we will study it. Everything being said now is part of the preparations for his inauguration and the start of serious business. As Trump himself stated, this is all preparation for ‘moving into the office.’ He understands that the Oval Office must first be ‘occupied.’..

…The mere fact that people have started mentioning the ‘on-the-ground realities’ more frequently is probably a welcome development. Mr. Michael Waltz, who I understand will be National Security Advisor, and President Trump himself, in his extensive interview, referred to the root causes of the conflict. This includes how the Kiev regime was drawn into NATO, contrary to agreements reached within the framework of Soviet-American and later Russian-American relations, as well as within the OSCE. These agreements, adopted at the highest level, including by President Obama in 2010, explicitly stated that no country or organization within the OSCE area would seek to dominate or enhance its security at the expense of others. NATO did exactly what it had promised not to do. Donald Trump pointed this out.

For the first time, we have heard an honest acknowledgment from an American, or indeed any Western leader, that NATO lied when signing numerous agreements with our country and within the OSCE framework. These agreements were used merely as a facade, a ‘piece of paper,’ while NATO moved closer to our borders, violating agreements on the terms under which East Germany became part of the Federal Republic. NATO advanced its military infrastructure to our borders, planning the creation of military bases, including naval bases in Crimea and the Sea of Azov. All of this is well-known…

…We will wait for concrete initiatives. President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated his readiness to meet. However, no proposals have yet been made. President Trump later said that Putin wants to meet. I believe meetings are necessary, but first, ‘moving into the office’ is essential.”

#Outcomes2024

🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks and answers to media questions during a news conference on the outcomes of Russian diplomacy in 2024 (January 14, 2025)

💬 FM Sergey #Lavrov: We are living in a historical era of confrontation between those who uphold the fundamental principles of international law <...> which have been formulated, set out and put forth in the most important international document – the UN Charter – and those who are not satisfied with that document, who decided <...> that they could not live in accordance with the wishes of the “political West”, <...> those who oppose multipolarity.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin has repeatedly explained the true root causes of the special military operation in Ukraine. We had to begin to repel an attack, a war waged against us by the collective West with the main goal of suppressing competition when Russia re-emerged as its strong rival on the international arena.

Their main goal was to weaken our country geopolitically, creating direct military threats to us right on our borders, on Russia’s native territories, <...> in an attempt to slash our strategic potential and devalue it as much as possible.

The second reason also has to do with the history of the region, only it was more about the people who have lived on that land for centuries. <...> These people were labelled ‘terrorists’ by the current Ukrainian regime, which came to power through a coup d'etat. And when they refused to accept it, that regime launched an all-out offensive against all things Russian. <...>

There has been a revival in efforts to oppose the Western diktat, with emerging economies and new centres of financial power in China, India, ASEAN, the Arab world, and CELAC. This group also includes a resurgent Russia together with its allies from the EAEU, the CIS, and CSTO. This also includes the SCO and #BRICS.

The United States does not want to have any competitors anywhere, starting with the energy sector. <...> The United States and its allies have placed sanctions policies at the core of what they do on the international stage, including regarding Russia. This demonstrates their refusal to engage in fair economic competition and their commitment to using unfair, aggressive practices for suppressing their opponents.

***

#CollectiveWest

The West is intoxicated by its perceived “greatness,” its impunity, and its self-endowed authority to dictate the destinies of peoples worldwide. This reflects arrogance and a disdainful attitude towards the rest of the world. It is yet another brazen assertion that when we speak of “democracy,” it signifies merely one thing – “we do as we please.” <...> It is sheer hypocrisy, dictatorial behaviour, disrespect for the populace.

#UN

UN Security Council reform is needed. Not all countries that bear special responsibility in the global economy, finance, politics, and military affairs are represented in the UN Security Council. It has been pointed out repeatedly that countries such as India and Brazil have long earned permanent Security Council membership on all counts, as has Africa.

#RussiaChina

Russia-China partnership is among the key factors stabilising modern international life and the ongoing processes that are used, among other things, to escalate confrontation and hostility in international affairs, which is what our neighbours from NATO engage in under US guidance.

#USA #Ukraine

As soon as Donald Trump assumes the presidency and articulates his final stance on Ukrainian matters, we will examine it. <...> The increasing reference to the realities “on the ground” is a development likely to be welcomed.

#RussiaSerbia

Our relations with Serbia are grounded solely in the interests of the Serbian and Russian peoples, as well as our respective states. Our interests align on the vast majority of issues. These relations are rich with specific agreements and projects, including those in the energy sector, approved by our heads of state, governments, and companies.

Visit of Russian Students to the Embassy of Russia in Singapore


On 16 January 2025, students from MGIMO Gorchakov Lyceum and Gazprom School visited the Embassy of Russia in Singapore.
During the visit, the students had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the diplomatic mission and have an open dialogue with the Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy, Mr Denis M. Temnikov, and the Head of the Russian House in Singapore, Mr Alexander S. Soloviev.

In an engaging discussion, Mr Temnikov provided an insight into the current state of Russia-Singapore relations and shared his personal experience of pursuing a diplomatic career. Mr Soloviev presented the Russian House's key initiatives in the region and conducted a tour of the Embassy premises.

This visit was an important educational initiative that enabled students to gain a deeper understanding of the workings of diplomatic institutions, broaden their knowledge of international relations and foster their interest in the culture and history of Singapore.

🗓 On January 20, Crimea celebrates Republic Day. The holiday commemorates the referendum of 1991, when the absolute majority of Crimean residents voted to re-establish the Crimean Autonomous Republic.

👉 Crimea in history of Russia

Interesting facts:

🔸 Crimea has had a close connection with Russia for centuries. As far as in 988–989, Grand Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich converted to Christianity in the then Tauric Chersonese. Centuries later, on April 19, 1783, Empress Catherine the Great signed a manifesto on the accession of Crimea to the Russian Empire.

🔸 The Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (CASSR) was originally established as part of the RSFSR in 1921. In 1945 it became the Crimean Region. In 1954, Crimea was transferred to the Ukrainian SSR; First Secretary of the CPSU’s Crimean Regional Committee, Pavel Titov, opposed the move and was relieved of his post.

🔸 The sovereignty referendum, which was held on January 20, 1991 to decide on re-establishing the CASSR, was the first plebiscite in the Soviet Union’s history. Voters were asked whether they supported re-establishing the CASSR as an entity of the USSR and a participant in the Union Treaty. A total of 93% of residents voted for autonomy. In the same year, a law was passed to re-establish the CASSR.

🔸 The 1991 Crimean referendum was the first attempt to determine the future of Crimea based on the will of its residents. To a large extent, this plebiscite served as the starting point for the peninsula’s reunification with Russia in 2014.

🔸 Republic Day was established in 2009. In 2014, after Crimea’s reunification with Russia, the holiday was included in the regional law on holidays.

🔸 On March 18, 2014, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and the top officials from Crimea and Sevastopol signed the Treaty on the Accession of the Republic of Crimea to Russia in full accordance with the results of the referendum held on March 16, 2014, where 96% of Crimean voted FOR the peninsula’s reunification with Russia.

Ever since #CrimeaIsRussia once again and forever will be henceforth.

🎙 President of Russia Vladimir Putin held, via videoconference, a briefing session with permanent members of the Russian Federation Security Council (January 20, 2025)

🇷🇺🇺🇸 We observe that the newly elected President of the United States and his team have expressed a desire to re-establish direct contact with Russia, which the outgoing Administration had severed, through no fault of our own. Furthermore, we note his remarks on the necessity of doing everything possible to avert a third world war. Naturally, we welcome this stance and extend our congratulations to the President-elect of the United States of America on his inauguration.

I wish to emphasise that we have never declined dialogue and have always been prepared to sustain amicable and cooperative relations with any American administration, as I have reiterated on numerous occasions. We operate under the premise that the dialogue will be established on an equal and mutually respectful foundation, acknowledging the significant roles our nations play on several vital global issues, including the enhancement of strategic stability and security.

❗️ We are also open to dialogue with the new US Administration regarding the Ukrainian conflict.

The primary focus here should be addressing the root causes of the crisis, which we have discussed extensively. Concerning the resolution of the situation itself, I would like to reiterate that its objective should be not a temporary ceasefire or a pause to regroup forces and rearm for the eventual continuation of the conflict, but rather a lasting peace founded on respect for the legitimate interests of all individuals and peoples residing in this region.

Nonetheless, we will steadfastly advocate for the interests of Russia and the Russian people. This, in essence, is the purpose and meaning of the special military operation.