🇷🇺🇺🇸 Press release on Russia-US consultations (February 18, 2025)

⚡️ In accordance with the agreement between President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump to step up contacts to discuss international issues and bilateral agenda, on February 18, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov held talks in Riyadh with a US delegation represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.

The participants discussed a broad range of issues, including prospects for normalising bilateral relations. The sides agreed to appoint respective ambassadors as soon as possible, and to start consultations at the level of deputy foreign ministers to remove restrictions on activities of the diplomatic missions of the two countries.

The Sides agreed to establish a dialogue to identify ways to resume cooperation in the economy, including energy, outer space exploration, and other areas of mutual interest.

The Sides exchanged views on the situation surrounding Ukraine and reiterated their mutual commitment to settle the conflict.

❗️ The Russian side emphasised the importance of eliminating the root causes of the conflict, creating proper conditions for achieving a lasting and enduring peace, and ensuring security and legitimate interests of all countries in the region. An agreement was reached to continue joint work in this area through special envoys to be appointed in the near future.

The Sides agreed to resume communication channels to discuss other international issues, being mindful of Russia and the United States’ special responsibility in matters of peace and security as nuclear powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council. The interest in continuing joint work to prepare the meeting between the Russian and American presidents was confirmed.

During their stay in Riyadh, Sergey Lavrov and Yury Ushakov were received by Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. They expressed gratitude for the excellent organisation of #RussiaUS talks. The participants discussed matters related to implementing the agreements on comprehensive expansion of bilateral relations reached by President Vladimir Putin and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

President Vladimir Putin's answers to questions from media representatives

Question: Interfax News Agency. Everyone is interested in the outcomes of talks in Riyadh. I am sure they have been reported to you. How do you assess them? Is there a positive result, if I may put it that way, from these talks?

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Yes, they have been reported to me. That’s point number one. Number two, I rate them high, there is a result.

The first thing I would like to say is that we have agreed to resume normal operation of our respective diplomatic missions. The unending expulsions of diplomats from Washington DC and Moscow do not do anything good to anyone. If things keep going that way, we will end up with just cleaners working in those buildings. Their work is important, of course, but it is not what diplomatic missions are created for. That is my first point.

Second, I believe we have made the first step to resume work across a variety of areas of mutual interest, including the Middle East in the broad sense of the word – I mean our presence in Syria, the Palestinian-Israeli settlement, and so on. There are many issues there that involve both the United States and the Russian Federation, even though, of course, the situation in Ukraine is our priority.

But we also have other matters to consider such as the economy, and our joint activities on global energy markets. So, in general… Yes, outer space too, of course, because despite the problems of the past three years, we are still working together in outer space, and US astronauts and Russian cosmonauts are working on the ISS. Work continues, and prospects are good. All of that was reviewed at the meeting in Riyadh. The assessment is positive.

Overall, as I was told, the atmosphere was very friendly. As I was told by the participants from our side, unlike US representatives we dealt with earlier, these people from the American side were open for negotiation without any bias or condemnation of what has been done in the past. In any case, there was nothing like that in the bilateral contacts.

On February 19, a ‘Government Hour’ with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the priorities of the foreign policy of the Russian Federation was held as part of a plenary meeting of the State Duma.

The foreign minister informed the parliamentarians about the key areas of the Russian diplomacy’s efforts in the context of the current geopolitical realities and the Ministry’s tasks to protect national interests and strengthen the country’s leading positions on the global stage.

The list of issues raised at the meeting included settling the conflict around Ukraine, initiatives to create a Eurasian security architecture and combat neocolonialism, cooperation within the Union State, the CSTO, the EAEU, the CIS, the SCO, expanding multifaceted interaction with all sensible partners and, above all, with the states of the Global Majority, countering the hegemonic aspirations of the West, protecting the rights and interests of Russian citizens and compatriots abroad.

Following the discussion, Sergey Lavrov highlighted the importance of further deepening the regular dialogue with elected representatives that contributes to the effective implementation of the unified foreign policy of the Russian Federation, which enjoys consensus support.

🗓On February 19, Jakarta 🇮🇩 hosted the 21st ASEAN-Russia Senior Officials' Meeting (#ARSOM).

🔹️The meeting was co-chaired by the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation H.E. Mr. Andrey Rudenko 🇷🇺 and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar H.E. Mr. Aung Kyaw Moe 🇲🇲.

🔹 Participants discussed ways and means of further promoting the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership with an emphasis on such priority areas as science and technology, digitalization, energy, and the development of smart cities.

🔹️Specific steps were outlined to further diversify practical cooperation. Particular attention was paid to the prospects for launching new joint mechanisms and initiatives, in particular, in the field of youth ties and biological security. Both sides expressed their commitment to further enhancing the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership under the forthcoming Comprehensive Plan of Action for 2026-2030.

🔹The meeting reiterated shared intention to jointly address challenges and threats, strengthen ASEAN-led regional security architecture in Asia-Pacific. Issues of promoting cross-platform links between #ASEAN, #EEU and #SCO were also on the agenda.

🔹️On the sidelines of the ARSOM an Exhibition "ASEAN-Russia: prospects of cooperation in civilian nuclear energy and technologies" was opened at the ASEAN Headquarters.

#ASEANRussia #RussiaASEAN #ARSOM

🇷🇺🇨🇳 On February 20, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China Wang Yi met on the sidelines of the #G20 Ministerial in Johannesburg.

The Parties praised the development of political dialogue and practical cooperation between Russia and China as a stabilising factor in the context of continuing turbulence of the global system.

Special focus was placed on the work to ensure the implementation of the agreements reached between the two countries’ heads and preparations for the upcoming Russian-Chinese contacts at the high and highest levels in 2025.

An in-depth discussion was held on global and regional problems, such as Eurasian security, developments in the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific Region, relations with the US, and Ukrainian crisis.

🇺🇳 The Foreign Ministers discussed the two countries’ cooperation within the UN and other international organisations and in various multilateral formats.

☝️ Wang Yi stressed that, while promoting initiatives for a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, Beijing believes it necessary to eradicate its root causes in accordance with the corresponding principles of the UN Charter, above all unconditional respect for human rights.

Special focus was placed on the #G20’s activities to build an equal dialogue between representatives of the Global Majority and the West in the financial and economic sphere based on everyone complying with the G20 mandate.

The Ministers also compared their approaches on issues related to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and #BRICS.

The conversation was held in the traditionally confidential and constructive spirit that characterises Russian-Chinese strategic partnership.#RussiaChina

🇷🇺🇲🇲 On February 21, 2025, Russian Ambassador to Singapore H.E. Mr Nikolay Kudashev received Chargé d’Affaires of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in Singapore, Mr Zaw Zaw Soe, for a farewell courtesy call.

During the meeting, they discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral cooperation, as well as key regional issues.

The Russian Ambassador expressed his appreciation for Mr Zaw Zaw Soe’s contribution to strengthening Russia-Myanmar relations and wished him success in his future endeavors.

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the G20’s objectives in 2025, a discussion of planned results of South Africa’s Presidency and an assessment of the forum’s activities (Johannesburg, February 21, 2025)

💬 In conditions of global economic fragmentation, a dialogue on global issues in the #G20 remains in high demand as never before. We commend the Republic of South Africa’s substantial preparations for the forum and the topicality of chosen thematic priorities. We are particularly impressed with the emphasis on a search for a common denominator in the interests of combining efforts to facilitate sustained growth and development.

We still have a long way to go for attaining the desired results, and the overall background for joint work in conditions of geopolitical confrontation, that is being incited, remains unfavourable. The statistics are well-known: We are lagging far behind a schedule for achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals until 2030, and only 17% of them are on track. <...>

Historical experience shows that it is impossible to independently cope with common challenges and threats. This is why the G20 was established in 2008 at the level of national leaders. At that time, it was necessary to put out the fire of a global financial crisis in emergency circumstances. It became possible to stabilise markets for a while.

❗️ However, we are now witnessing an entire cascade of intertwined crises. Behind them are armed conflicts that have been unleashed and inspired by the West, trade, technological and hybrid wars, the demolition of the international trade system, the weaponisation of the dollar that has turned into a tool for manipulations. <...>

☝️ Nevertheless, the modern world is being transformed drastically and becoming truly multipolar. The 500-year period of Western domination is irreversibly becoming a thing of the past. It is necessary to find the strength and to accept this objective reality. The international community does not want to be hostage to unilateral decisions of former sovereigns. This is particularly obvious today when we are celebrating the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the war against Nazism and the 65th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples as a starting point of acquiring independence by Africa, Asia and the entire Global South.

In 2022, #BRICS confidently outpaced the G7 in terms of GDP. Today, BRICS and the G7 account for 37 and 29 percent of the global GDP, respectively. <...>
During Russia’s #BRICS Chairmanship at the Kazan Summit in 2024, the participants adopted multiple promising decisions to launch non-discriminatory, independent of anyone’s whim mechanisms stimulating investment and trade, with due consideration for Africa’s special needs.
The neo-liberal circles in the West regard the objective process of burgeoning multipolarity as a challenge rather than an opportunity. They are putting an absurd stake on a confrontation, on inflicting a “strategic defeat” on rivals. In so doing, they use neocolonialist practices <...>
Under these circumstances, G20 retains its status as a useful venue for aligning the interests of states with different strategies and development levels, this primarily due to the efforts of BRICS countries. <...>
🤝We share South Africa’s plans to survey the G20 activities over past years. We hope that the result will enable us to reaffirm our commitment to de-politicised interaction based on the unshakeable principle of consensus with an eye to implementing the task to ensure a sustainable and comprehensive economic growth, a task set back in 2009. This would be a worthy result of Africa’s first ever G20 Summit.
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🎙 Greetings of President Vladimir Putin on Defender of the Fatherland Day (February 23, 2025)

💬 Comrades and friends, veterans, active military and civilian personnel of the Armed Forces, and everyone who has gone through severe trials on the battlefield, please accept my most heartfelt greetings on Defender of the Fatherland Day.

On this day, deep respect and the warmest words go to our soldiers and officers participating in the special military operation, who are risking their lives today, valiantly and courageously defending their native land, the national interests and the future of Russia. It is you who are the main heroes of Defender of the Fatherland Day, which our entire country is celebrating today.

This holiday embodies all the love and respect that our nation has for our army and navy, for people who have made military service their profession and their high calling, for everyone who has made their choice today to stand by the Motherland and defend its interests. Military service has always been highly regarded in Russia; it has always been a matter of honour. Our own history fosters our patriotic feelings that are passed on from generation to generation.

We are guided by the centuries-old victorious traditions of the Russian army; we look up to the valour, faith and courage of our ancestors who fought on the ice of Lake Peipus and on Kulikovo Field, who defended Moscow in the 16th century and safeguarded our statehood during the Time of Troubles; who triumphed at Poltava, covered themselves in glory in the Battle of Borodino, defended Sevastopol during the Crimean War, showed unparallelled courage in the Battle of Galicia and other WWI battles, and who performed a truly heroic deed during WWII by defeating Nazism and storming Berlin, and celebrated the Victory there in May 1945.

This year, which marks the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, has been declared the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland in Russia. We pay tribute to the unwavering and undaunted generation of victors, to the memory of their heroism and sacrifice, and the epoch-making Victory that they gave to the world. We celebrate the heroes who honourably continue the military labours of their ancestors on the battlefield today.

We realise how hard it is for you right now, and we proudly support you. I want to thank all participants in the special military operation for their strong spirit and determination to bring us victory. I am grateful to all defenders of Russia for their honest and impeccable service to the Motherland and to our nation.

Comrades,

Today, as the world is changing impetuously, our strategic course for strengthening and developing the Armed Forces remains unchanged. We will continue to build up the combat potential of the army and navy, and their combat effectiveness as the essential part of Russia’s security that guarantees its sovereign present and future, and its consistent development.

Our absolute priority today is supplying the troops fighting in the special military operation with the provisions and equipment they need. Based on the analysis of the tactical use of the weapons and equipment, we will continue to provide the Armed Forces with new state-of-the-art models. Our focus will also be on improving the social security of our military personnel.

I am confident that Russian fighters will continue to protect their home country and their people diligently.

My best wishes go to your families and loved ones who are waiting for you to return home.

Happy Defender of the Fatherland Day! I wish you success in service for the benefit of our great nation.

Embassy comment

Another piece by Jonathan Eyal, published in today's issue of The Straits Times, leaves, to put it mildly, a shocking impression. It resembles a grotesque search for culprits and an attempt to find some explanation for the dramatic situation into which the Ukrainian crisis and the Collective West as a whole have driven Europe.

Let’s take a closer look. In our view, there is no need to search for other reasons or parties responsible for the current situation beyond the Europeans themselves, who aligned with the neo-Nazi regime in Kiev and the Biden administration at the time, actively instigating and waging hybrid warfare against Russia.

The only aspect of J.Eyal’s article one might agree with is its blood-chilling list of the consequences of this tragic course of action. These include the smoldering ruins of European security, thousands of lost lives, isolation and discord within the European community, economic turmoil, and more.

Meanwhile, viable alternatives existed. They were on the table in the form of Russian proposals for establishing a system of equal and indivisible security in Europe; they were voiced in Istanbul and later reiterated as the Russian ideas for a pan-continental Eurasian security framework. Only irresponsible politicians, out of touch with their people's needs, could ignore or dismiss them.

For our part, we would rather welcome the new US administration for facing the reality, reassessing the positions of its predecessor in the White House and moving toward a more responsible and pragmatic approach to resolving the Ukrainian crisis. However, ultimately, that remains its sovereign decision.

As far as Kiev and Europe are concerned, they should bear in mind that, since biblical times, stubbornness and a lack of faith have never led to anything good.

🎙Russia's President Vladimir Putin's answers to questions from journalist Pavel Zarubin(Moscow, February 25, 2025)

❓Question: The United States is strongly urging Zelensky to sign an agreement with the US regarding rare-earth metals as payment for the aid Ukraine received from the former administration. In your opinion, what are the prospects of such an agreement?

💬President Putin: That has nothing to do with us. <...> Of course, these resources should be evaluated — whether they exist, what is their amount, how much are they worth. But, again, that is not our concern. <...>
We would be open to cooperation with our American partners — and when I say “partners” I mean not only administrative and government agencies but also private companies – as long as they show interest in working together.

Russia possesses significantly more resources of this kind than Ukraine. Russia is one of the uncontested leaders when it comes to rare and rare-earth metal reserves. <...> We would be happy to cooperate with any foreign partners, including American companies.

❓Question: We are seeing an avalanche of statements and debates these days, with everyone discussing Trump and why he is so adamant that Zelensky must hold elections. There has been a lot of criticism among the Europeans regarding Trump’s statements. Some even believe that the current stance of the US President is actually playing into Russia’s hands. Do you believe this is actually the case?

💬President Putin: I think this is absolutely not the case. <...>
The person who currently stands at the helm of the Kiev regime is becoming a toxic figure for the Ukrainian armed forces. <...> He is also becoming increasingly toxic for society in general. The vote in the Rada on extending his powers proves this point.

He has boxed himself into a corner by signing an order banning peace treaty talks with the Russian Federation. He was the one who stopped these talks. <...> If you initiate the talks and they quickly bring about an end to martial law, this means that you need to hold an election right away. The current head of the regime has a problem with that. <...>

According to the information at our disposal this is objective data — approval ratings are exactly half that of his closest potential political rival. I am referring to Mr. Zaluzhny, former UAF commander.

Once we consider the possibility that other political leaders, including former prime ministers and presidents, may support Zaluzhny’s possible candidacy, it becomes clear that the current regime leader will stand absolutely no chance of winning an election.

This is why he has become a destabilising factor for the army, society and the state. I am certain that the current US President, Mr. Trump, understands this, which explains why he has been pushing the head of the Kiev regime to hold elections. <...> The current [Ukrainian] regime leader stands in the way of achieving this goal [peace]. That, in my view, is the reasoning behind Trump’s position.

❓Question: Several days ago in St Petersburg, I asked you a question about everyone’s desire these days to have some kind of say in Russia-US talks, with Europeans insisting and demanding to be able to weigh in on the Ukraine talks. What do you think about it?💬President Putin: no one can make demands in this situation — certainly not of Russia. <...>

However, it is important that they take part in the negotiating process, of course. As for us, we have never turned down anyone’s requests. They were the ones who rejected all contacts with us.

❓Question: Trump said he wanted to propose to you and the head of China to cut the defence budgets in half. What do you think about this idea?

💬President Putin: We could come to an agreement with the United States, we are not against it. I think this is a good idea: the United States would cut their spending by 50 percent, and we would cut ours by 50 percent. The People’s Republic of China could then join in if it wants to. We think this is a good proposal, and we are open to discussing it.
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🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement and answers to media questions following visit to Qatar (Doha, February 26, 2025)

💬Sergey Lavrov: The visit to Qatar during which I held meetings with Emir of the State of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has concluded.

Our good relations go back a while. Today, we reaffirmed our commitment to expanding them comprehensively based on agreements reached by President Vladimir Putin and Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during earlier contacts. <...>

We agreed to step up our activities across all areas, primarily, trade and economy, as well as energy as part of the Doha-based Gas Exporting Countries Forum, and interaction between the Qatar Investment Authority and the Russian Direct Investment Fund.

Humanitarian exchanges, promotion of tourism, and other cultural events are also part of our plans. We discussed the Middle Eastern affairs at length, primarily, in light of the process that has been unfolding in Syria after the change of power. We are interested in keeping this process under control and making sure it does not spark civil strife, since the risk is still there. <...>

We would like all external players, including the Arabs, the West, China, Russia, and Iran, to help normalise the situation in Syria. We are aware that the Syrian leadership (our Qatari partners confirmed this) is interested in seeing assistance to the reforms and normalisation processes in the country come in an even and balanced manner, where no one is trying to subordinate these processes to their geopolitical goals. Syria no longer wants to be a place for the external players to sort out their geopolitical differences.

We placed great emphasis on yet another issue which is the Palestinian-Israeli settlement and Israel-Lebanon relations.

We are concerned that the Israeli army takes more steps every day that are not provided for in the agreements with Hamas and Lebanon. These steps create situations on the ground that are at odds with the existing agreements and UN Security Council resolutions on Palestinian affairs and the Lebanese issue.

☝️ In this regard, Qatar and the Russian Federation share the importance of re-orienting the process towards respecting the principles approved by the UN Security Council. The establishment of a Palestinian state is a key issue. Any attempts to tank these Security Council resolutions and to replace the establishment of a Palestinian state with “resettling Palestinians across the region” will only set a time bomb into motion, as has happened multiple times over the many decades of ignoring the demands for a two-state solution.

From the Q&A session:
• We once again expressed our gratitude and appreciation to Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, for the discreet, pragmatic efforts undertaken by Qatar to facilitate the resolution of humanitarian issues in relations between Russia and Ukraine. Primarily, these concern the reunification of children with their families.
• Some suggest an idea of preserving the “line of contact.” First, this will not happen. Russia has a constitution based on the will of the people. Secondly, whatever is left of Ukraine should also be cleared of racist laws. Some of the people living there are more comfortable speaking Russian, and they want to preserve the traditions of their ancestors brought up in Russian culture.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated that the issue of frozen Russian assets must be considered in conjunction with the retaliatory measures adopted by the Russian Federation affecting American companies’ interests. This is a sound reflection on the necessity of abandoning thieving methods and not expecting them to go unanswered.
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⚡Press release on Russian-US consultations in Istanbul

On February 27, expert-level Russian-US consultations between Director of the Foreign Ministry Department of North America Alexander Darchiev and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter convened in Istanbul.
The discussions centred on normalising the operation of diplomatic missions of both countries, building upon recent bilateral engagements at the highest and high levels.

In accordance with the instructions from the foreign policy leadership of both countries, the Parties meticulously explored avenues to overcome numerous irritants inherited from previous US administrations. Joint measures were agreed upon to ensure the unfettered mutual financing of Russian and US diplomatic missions’ operations and to establish appropriate conditions for diplomats to fulfil their official duties.

The consultations also addressed issues related to Russian diplomatic properties in the United States, with a particular focus on the restitution of six premises unlawfully seized between 2016 and 2018. The necessity of achieving tangible outcomes to foster conditions conducive to improving bilateral relations, in the interests of both nations, was underscored. In particular, the American side was encouraged to consider the restoration of direct air service between the two countries.

❗️The discussions proceeded in a substantive and business-like manner, with both Parties agreeing to continue dialogue through this channel.