On July 15, Head of the UNESCO Chair at the Institute of Asian and African Studies (IAAS) of the Moscow State University, Vice President of the Russian International Affairs Council Mr Mikhail Margelov visited the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore (MEI-NUS), where he had a discussion with Institute's Chairman Mr Bilahari Kausikan and participated in the third IAAS and MEI-NUS joint workshop on the topic “Middle East on the path of reshaping?”.
The participants of the workshop from both the IAAS and the MEI-NUS exchanged views on the current developments in the Middle East region, and agreed to continue collaboration in other formats and on different occasions.
The participants of the workshop from both the IAAS and the MEI-NUS exchanged views on the current developments in the Middle East region, and agreed to continue collaboration in other formats and on different occasions.
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🗓 On July 15, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took part in the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Tianjin.
In the first half of the day, President of China Xi Jinping met with the Heads of Foreign Ministries participating in the Council meeting. The Chinese Leader shared his assessments of the #SCO’s current state and development prospects. Sergey Lavrov, on behalf of all his colleagues, delivered a reply speech.
During the meeting in Tianjin, the Ministers discussed the Organisation’s activities in preparation for the upcoming meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) and the SCO Plus summit, scheduled for August 31-September 1 in Tianjin.
They also reviewed a package of documents and decisions to be adopted at the Heads of State Council meeting. Guidelines for the SCO’s further development will be outlined in the SCO Development Strategy until 2035. 👉 The Tianjin Declaration will set forth agreed approaches to strengthening the SCO, while also addressing pressing global and regional issues.
It is also expected that a number of thematic statements will be adopted, including those dedicated to the 80th Anniversary of the end of #WWII and the founding of the United Nations.
An in-depth exchange was held on key regional and international matters, as well as the situation within the SCO space. The Ministers underscored the importance of enhancing coordination among SCO member states in shaping a #MultipolarWorld order with the United Nations at its core. The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment to deepening cooperation within the SCO as a vital pillar of an emerging architecture of equal and indivisible security across Eurasia.
Sergey Lavrov also held several bilateral meetings.
In the first half of the day, President of China Xi Jinping met with the Heads of Foreign Ministries participating in the Council meeting. The Chinese Leader shared his assessments of the #SCO’s current state and development prospects. Sergey Lavrov, on behalf of all his colleagues, delivered a reply speech.
During the meeting in Tianjin, the Ministers discussed the Organisation’s activities in preparation for the upcoming meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) and the SCO Plus summit, scheduled for August 31-September 1 in Tianjin.
They also reviewed a package of documents and decisions to be adopted at the Heads of State Council meeting. Guidelines for the SCO’s further development will be outlined in the SCO Development Strategy until 2035. 👉 The Tianjin Declaration will set forth agreed approaches to strengthening the SCO, while also addressing pressing global and regional issues.
It is also expected that a number of thematic statements will be adopted, including those dedicated to the 80th Anniversary of the end of #WWII and the founding of the United Nations.
An in-depth exchange was held on key regional and international matters, as well as the situation within the SCO space. The Ministers underscored the importance of enhancing coordination among SCO member states in shaping a #MultipolarWorld order with the United Nations at its core. The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment to deepening cooperation within the SCO as a vital pillar of an emerging architecture of equal and indivisible security across Eurasia.
Sergey Lavrov also held several bilateral meetings.
🗓 On July 17, 1846, Nicholai Nikolaevich Miklouho-Maclay was born — an outstanding Russian scientist, naturalist, ethnographer, anthropologist, and traveler.
🗺 Nicholai Nikolaevich dedicated most of his life to expeditions, exploring New Guinea, Southeast Asia, Australia, Oceania, South America, Africa, and Europe.
💡 Miklouho-Maclay suffered from various illnesses in childhood, including seasickness — yet this did not stop him from undertaking numerous expeditions later in life.
Miklouho-Maclay paid special attention to studying Indigenous peoples — particularly the inhabitants of New Guinea, where he spent several years and became the first scientist to conduct serious research on the island in the fields of ethnology, zoology, geography, and meteorology.
Thanks to his work, unique drawings have survived to this day, capturing local people and scenes from their everyday life.
During his expeditions Nicholai Miklouho-Maclay visited Singapore as well. For example, he arrived here on an English steamer on October 9, 1875. He wrote his impressions about the island in his diaries.
🗺 Nicholai Nikolaevich dedicated most of his life to expeditions, exploring New Guinea, Southeast Asia, Australia, Oceania, South America, Africa, and Europe.
💡 Miklouho-Maclay suffered from various illnesses in childhood, including seasickness — yet this did not stop him from undertaking numerous expeditions later in life.
Miklouho-Maclay paid special attention to studying Indigenous peoples — particularly the inhabitants of New Guinea, where he spent several years and became the first scientist to conduct serious research on the island in the fields of ethnology, zoology, geography, and meteorology.
Thanks to his work, unique drawings have survived to this day, capturing local people and scenes from their everyday life.
During his expeditions Nicholai Miklouho-Maclay visited Singapore as well. For example, he arrived here on an English steamer on October 9, 1875. He wrote his impressions about the island in his diaries.
EAEU–Indonesia: On the Path to the Free Trade Agreement
🤝 Negotiations took place between Member of the Board (Minister) of Trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) Andrey Slepnev and Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto.
💬❗ “In absolute terms, tariff reductions will affect approximately $3 billion worth of trade between the #EAEU and Indonesia. We expect trade turnover between our countries to double within the next 3–5 years after the agreement enters into force. We anticipate significant growth in exports to Indonesia, including both agricultural and industrial goods,” emphasized the EEC Minister of Trade.
☝️The EAEU will receive preferential access to the Indonesian market for products such as polymers, fertilizers, energy resources, mining dump trucks, pipes, metals and non-ferrous metal products, as well as a wide range of electrical and mechanical equipment.
Supplies are also expected to include wheat, flour, powdered milk, confectionery and more.
🤝 Negotiations took place between Member of the Board (Minister) of Trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) Andrey Slepnev and Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto.
💬❗ “In absolute terms, tariff reductions will affect approximately $3 billion worth of trade between the #EAEU and Indonesia. We expect trade turnover between our countries to double within the next 3–5 years after the agreement enters into force. We anticipate significant growth in exports to Indonesia, including both agricultural and industrial goods,” emphasized the EEC Minister of Trade.
☝️The EAEU will receive preferential access to the Indonesian market for products such as polymers, fertilizers, energy resources, mining dump trucks, pipes, metals and non-ferrous metal products, as well as a wide range of electrical and mechanical equipment.
Supplies are also expected to include wheat, flour, powdered milk, confectionery and more.
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О визите российских школьников в Посольство России в Сингапуре
18 июля 2025 года учащиеся Школы №1529 имени А.С. Грибоедова, а также представители Российской ассоциации содействия ООН (РАС ООН) посетили Посольство Российской Федерации.
Во время встречи школьники пообщались с Чрезвычайным и Полномочным Послом России в Сингапуре Н.Р. Кудашевым и сотрудниками дипломатической миссии. В ходе содержательной беседы участники узнали о ключевых аспектах российско-сингапурского взаимодействия, работе загранучреждений и карьерных возможностях в сфере дипломатии.
Visit of Russian School Students to the Embassy of Russia in Singapore
On July 18, 2025, students from School No. 1529 named after A.S. Griboyedov, along with representatives of the Russian United Nations Association (RAS UN), visited the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Singapore.
During the visit, the students met with Ambassador of Russia to Singapore, H.E. Nikolay R. Kudashev, and members of the diplomatic mission. In the course of a meaningful discussion, the participants learned about key aspects of Russia-Singapore cooperation, the work of diplomatic missions abroad, and career opportunities in the field of diplomacy.
18 июля 2025 года учащиеся Школы №1529 имени А.С. Грибоедова, а также представители Российской ассоциации содействия ООН (РАС ООН) посетили Посольство Российской Федерации.
Во время встречи школьники пообщались с Чрезвычайным и Полномочным Послом России в Сингапуре Н.Р. Кудашевым и сотрудниками дипломатической миссии. В ходе содержательной беседы участники узнали о ключевых аспектах российско-сингапурского взаимодействия, работе загранучреждений и карьерных возможностях в сфере дипломатии.
Visit of Russian School Students to the Embassy of Russia in Singapore
On July 18, 2025, students from School No. 1529 named after A.S. Griboyedov, along with representatives of the Russian United Nations Association (RAS UN), visited the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Singapore.
During the visit, the students met with Ambassador of Russia to Singapore, H.E. Nikolay R. Kudashev, and members of the diplomatic mission. In the course of a meaningful discussion, the participants learned about key aspects of Russia-Singapore cooperation, the work of diplomatic missions abroad, and career opportunities in the field of diplomacy.
⚡️ Statement by Head of the Russian delegation Vladimir Medinsky following the third round of Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul (July 23, 2025)
Key talking points:
• All agreements on humanitarian tracks discussed previously have been fulfilled. The exchange of the last groups of prisoners of war — about 250 individuals from each side — is nearing completion at the Ukraine-Belarus border. A second, unprecedentedly large exchange involving approximately 1'200 people from each side has been completed. An agreement has been reached to conduct another exchange of no less than 1'200 POWs from each side in the near future. Ongoing indefinite humanitarian exchanges of the severely wounded and sick along the line of contact will continue.
• Russia proposed the formation of three working groups to operate online: on political issues, humanitarian issues, and military issues. The Ukrainian Side agreed to consider this proposal.
• The Russian Side has once again proposed that Ukraine consider the possibility of declaring short-term ceasefires (24–48 hours) along the line of contact to retrieve the wounded and the bodies of fallen soldiers.
• Russia has returned more than 7'000 bodies [of AFU soldiers] to Ukraine and has received a small number of its own in return. An offer was made to hand over an additional 3'000 bodies of Ukrainian servicemen.
• The issue of returning civilians displaced by hostilities was discussed. Not all residents of the Kursk region who were "evacuated" by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to Ukrainian territory have been returned home. There are about 30 such individuals, and they are still being held by Ukraine.
• There was extensive discussion on the positions outlined by both parties in the memoranda exchanged last time. The positions remain quite far apart. It was agreed to maintain contact.
• The list of 339 names of Ukrainian children has been fully reviewed. Some children have been returned to Ukraine. Work is ongoing regarding the others. If legal guardians, close relatives, or official representatives are found, the children will be returned home immediately. For us, children are sacred. At present, they are under state care, safe and well provided for in appropriate child welfare institutions.
***
❓ Question: Was the possibility of a summit-level meeting discussed?
💬 Vladimir Medinsky: For such a meeting to take place, the terms of the agreement must first be thoroughly prepared. A summit should be held to finalize and sign off on agreements. Meeting just to rehash everything again makes no sense.
Key talking points:
• All agreements on humanitarian tracks discussed previously have been fulfilled. The exchange of the last groups of prisoners of war — about 250 individuals from each side — is nearing completion at the Ukraine-Belarus border. A second, unprecedentedly large exchange involving approximately 1'200 people from each side has been completed. An agreement has been reached to conduct another exchange of no less than 1'200 POWs from each side in the near future. Ongoing indefinite humanitarian exchanges of the severely wounded and sick along the line of contact will continue.
• Russia proposed the formation of three working groups to operate online: on political issues, humanitarian issues, and military issues. The Ukrainian Side agreed to consider this proposal.
• The Russian Side has once again proposed that Ukraine consider the possibility of declaring short-term ceasefires (24–48 hours) along the line of contact to retrieve the wounded and the bodies of fallen soldiers.
• Russia has returned more than 7'000 bodies [of AFU soldiers] to Ukraine and has received a small number of its own in return. An offer was made to hand over an additional 3'000 bodies of Ukrainian servicemen.
• The issue of returning civilians displaced by hostilities was discussed. Not all residents of the Kursk region who were "evacuated" by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to Ukrainian territory have been returned home. There are about 30 such individuals, and they are still being held by Ukraine.
• There was extensive discussion on the positions outlined by both parties in the memoranda exchanged last time. The positions remain quite far apart. It was agreed to maintain contact.
• The list of 339 names of Ukrainian children has been fully reviewed. Some children have been returned to Ukraine. Work is ongoing regarding the others. If legal guardians, close relatives, or official representatives are found, the children will be returned home immediately. For us, children are sacred. At present, they are under state care, safe and well provided for in appropriate child welfare institutions.
***
❓ Question: Was the possibility of a summit-level meeting discussed?
💬 Vladimir Medinsky: For such a meeting to take place, the terms of the agreement must first be thoroughly prepared. A summit should be held to finalize and sign off on agreements. Meeting just to rehash everything again makes no sense.
Thus, our country joined the then largest and bloodiest armed conflict in history.
At the beginning of the XX century, Europe was effectively divided into two opposing blocs — the Entente (the British Empire, France and Russia) and the Triple Alliance (the German Empire, Austro-Hungary, and Italy). Each side had mutual grievances, and their subsequent arms race marked the preparations for a large-scale war.
The immediate trigger for the war was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, on June 28, 1914, in Sarajevo. He was killed by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the nationalist organisation "Young Bosnia".
On July 23, Austro-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia, deliberately containing demands that were impossible to meet. The Serbian government responded with restraint, accepting many of the conditions, but rejected some key points, including allowing Austro-Hungarian police onto Serbian territory. As a result, on July 28, Austro-Hungary declared war on Serbia.
On August 1, the German Empire declared war on the Russian Empire; two days later — on France. On August 4, the British Empire declared war on Germany. On August 6, Austro-Hungary declared war on Russia. Thus, within the span of a single week, the leading European powers were drawn into the conflict.
The war that had begun among a few European countries gradually engulfed 38 nations. The conflict lasted just over four years but surpassed all previous wars in human history in both scale and consequences.
The total number of mobilized soldiers reached 73.5 million. During the hostilities, 10 million people were killed — as many as had died in all European wars over the previous thousand years — and 20 million were wounded, 3.5 million of whom were left permanently disabled.
Under these difficult conditions, our soldiers and officers demonstrated exceptional courage and bravery.
One of the symbols of Russian valour was the defence of the Osowiec Fortress. German troops used chemical weapons — a mixture of chlorine and bromine — killing most of the garrison. To the enemy's shock, the surviving defenders launched a bayonet charge and drove them into retreat. This event went down in history as the "Attack of the Dead Men."
One of the most significant and vivid episodes of World War I, according to many historians, was the famous Brusilov Offensive by the Russian Imperial Army on the Southwestern Front. It pushed Austro-Hungary to the brink of collapse and forced the German Empire to divert substantial forces from Verdun in France to the “Russian theatre of war.”
🕯 The self-sacrifice of Russian soldiers and officers is hard to overestimate. Over the course of the war, over 2 million of them perished.
Our country honours the memory of the heroes of those days: in 2004, the Memorial Park Complex to the Heroes of World War I was opened in Moscow, and in 2014, a monument to the heroes of World War I was unveiled on Poklonnaya Hill. In total, 20 monuments and memorials have been erected across Russia and abroad.
👉 Read more
#WeRemember
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On August 1, during a visit to Valaam, Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko answered the media questions.
Key takeaways on the Ukrainian crisis
❓Question: We have a question regarding the third round of talks which took place in Istanbul. Overall, what is your assessment of the way these talks have been advancing and their future? <...>
Vladimir Putin: As a matter of principle, waiting is an option if the Ukrainian leadership believes that this is not the right time and that they must wait. Be my guests – we are ready to wait. This is my first point.
Second, it is the Constitution of Russia that defines our political regime, while the existing authorities operate within the strict confines of our country’s Constitution. This is not the case for Ukraine. I will not go into details right now, but today’s authorities in Ukraine do not derive their powers from the Ukrainian Constitution. It is obvious that they have violated the Constitution, but having said that, I will not elaborate on this matter.
❗As for the talks, they are always relevant and important, especially if their goal is to bring about peace. My overall assessment is quite positive. How could it be otherwise if hundreds of people were able to return home? This is a positive development. As you know, Russia has handed over thousands of dead Ukrainian soldiers on humanitarian grounds, and has received several dozen bodies of our men who sacrificed their lives for their Motherland in response. No one would argue that this was not a positive development, right? Of course, this is something positive.
As for the question of whether someone is disappointed, all the disappointment stems from heightened expectations. This is a general rule we all know. That said, to settle an issue by peaceful means, you need to hold detailed talks instead of creating publicity.
The way forward is to ensure that the negotiating process is private and confidential.
Overall, Ukraine’s response was quite positive. We agreed that we can hold these talks without cameras and without making all this political noise by working in a calm environment while searching for compromises. These groups have yet to get down to business. They have not started their work so far, but overall we believe that the initial reaction from Ukraine was rather positive. For this reason, we expect this process to get off the ground.
❓Question: A year ago, you articulated the terms for a lasting truce. Are they still on the table?
Vladimir Putin: Of course, it goes without saying that these conditions have not changed. In fact, these were objectives, rather than conditions.
Before that, we kept hearing that it was unclear what Russia wanted. This is why we set forth these objectives in June 2024 at the meeting with the Foreign Ministry’s senior officials. Everything is clear in this regard, and the core message here is that we must eliminate the root causes of this crisis. This is the main objective.
Of course, there are humanitarian matters and broader security issues that pertain to both Russia and Ukraine. By the way, the Ukrainian delegation told us that it could make sense to discuss security for both Russia and Ukraine in the context of a pan-European security framework. One of the senior members of the Ukrainian delegation voiced this opinion.
Overall, we believe that this makes sense, and we share this view. As for humanitarian matters, they have to do with the Russian language, ensuring independence and providing an adequate environment for the Orthodox Church and the Christian faith in Ukraine.
🔗 Learn more about Russia's position on the outcomes of the 3rd round of Istanbul negotiations here
Key takeaways on the Ukrainian crisis
❓Question: We have a question regarding the third round of talks which took place in Istanbul. Overall, what is your assessment of the way these talks have been advancing and their future? <...>
Vladimir Putin: As a matter of principle, waiting is an option if the Ukrainian leadership believes that this is not the right time and that they must wait. Be my guests – we are ready to wait. This is my first point.
Second, it is the Constitution of Russia that defines our political regime, while the existing authorities operate within the strict confines of our country’s Constitution. This is not the case for Ukraine. I will not go into details right now, but today’s authorities in Ukraine do not derive their powers from the Ukrainian Constitution. It is obvious that they have violated the Constitution, but having said that, I will not elaborate on this matter.
❗As for the talks, they are always relevant and important, especially if their goal is to bring about peace. My overall assessment is quite positive. How could it be otherwise if hundreds of people were able to return home? This is a positive development. As you know, Russia has handed over thousands of dead Ukrainian soldiers on humanitarian grounds, and has received several dozen bodies of our men who sacrificed their lives for their Motherland in response. No one would argue that this was not a positive development, right? Of course, this is something positive.
As for the question of whether someone is disappointed, all the disappointment stems from heightened expectations. This is a general rule we all know. That said, to settle an issue by peaceful means, you need to hold detailed talks instead of creating publicity.
The way forward is to ensure that the negotiating process is private and confidential.
Overall, Ukraine’s response was quite positive. We agreed that we can hold these talks without cameras and without making all this political noise by working in a calm environment while searching for compromises. These groups have yet to get down to business. They have not started their work so far, but overall we believe that the initial reaction from Ukraine was rather positive. For this reason, we expect this process to get off the ground.
❓Question: A year ago, you articulated the terms for a lasting truce. Are they still on the table?
Vladimir Putin: Of course, it goes without saying that these conditions have not changed. In fact, these were objectives, rather than conditions.
Before that, we kept hearing that it was unclear what Russia wanted. This is why we set forth these objectives in June 2024 at the meeting with the Foreign Ministry’s senior officials. Everything is clear in this regard, and the core message here is that we must eliminate the root causes of this crisis. This is the main objective.
Of course, there are humanitarian matters and broader security issues that pertain to both Russia and Ukraine. By the way, the Ukrainian delegation told us that it could make sense to discuss security for both Russia and Ukraine in the context of a pan-European security framework. One of the senior members of the Ukrainian delegation voiced this opinion.
Overall, we believe that this makes sense, and we share this view. As for humanitarian matters, they have to do with the Russian language, ensuring independence and providing an adequate environment for the Orthodox Church and the Christian faith in Ukraine.
🔗 Learn more about Russia's position on the outcomes of the 3rd round of Istanbul negotiations here
⚡️ Russia's Foreign Ministry statement regarding a moratorium on deploying ground-based intermediate- and shorter-range missiles
After the United States undertook deliberate actions that led to termination of the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles (INF Treaty) in 2019, the Russian Federation made proactive efforts to promote restraint in this particular area.
These efforts were reflected in top-level statements made in 2019-2020, which included Russia voluntarily assuming unilateral self-restraint on deploying ground-based INF systems for as long as similar US-made missile weapons do not emerge in the corresponding regions of the world.
Russia directly called upon NATO countries to declare a reciprocal moratorium on deploying weapons that had earlier been banned under the INF Treaty, and US allies in the Asia-Pacific region to support our efforts to prevent the arms race in that part of the world.
Regrettably, Russia’s initiatives were not reciprocated.
❗️ The United States and its allies openly declared their plans to deploy US ground-based INF missiles across the regions and moved along significantly in their efforts to implement these plans.
👉 Since 2023, we have observed instances of US systems capable of ground-launched INF strikes being transferred to the European NATO countries for trial use during exercises that clearly have an anti-Russian slant;
👉 In the Asia-Pacific, we note that under the pretext of exercises, a Typhon mid-range capability missile system was delivered to the Philippines in April 2024 and remains stationed there;
👉 During Talisman Sabre 2025 exercises, an Australian crew of the US-supplied HIMARS system launched a US-made PrSM missile, which had been tested by the Pentagon in 2021 at a range exceeding 500 km and qualifies as a ground-based INF-class missile.
We are thus witnessing a growing number of facts indicating the appearance of US-made weapons in a variety of regions around the globe including the regions that are of particular national security importance for Russia, and with characteristics that qualify them as ground-based intermediate- and shorter-range missile systems.
The plan stated by a number of US allies to acquire ground-based INF systems from Washington and/or develop their own missiles with ranges falling within the 500-5,500 km bracket, or to expand their existing national arsenals of such weapons constituted an important additional factor. <...>
The above steps by the collective West will form and build up destabilising missile capabilities in the regions that are adjacent to the Russian Federation, thus creating a direct and strategic threat to our country’s security. <...>
Russia has consistently made it clear that this scenario will prompt our country to take offsetting military-technical measures in order to neutralise emerging threats and to maintain strategic balance.
☝️ Our repeated warnings in this regard have been ignored, and the US-made ground-based INF systems are being deployed in Europe and the Asia-Pacific. In this regard, the Russian Foreign Ministry states that the conditions for maintaining a unilateral moratorium on the deployment of similar systems have ceased to exist. We are authorised to declare that the Russian Federation no longer considers itself bound by the previously adopted self-imposed restrictions.
Decisions on the specific variables as they apply to response measures will be made by the leadership of the Russian Federation based on interagency analysis of the scope of deployment of the US-made and other Western ground-launched INF systems, as well as overall developments in international security and strategic stability.
Read in full
After the United States undertook deliberate actions that led to termination of the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles (INF Treaty) in 2019, the Russian Federation made proactive efforts to promote restraint in this particular area.
These efforts were reflected in top-level statements made in 2019-2020, which included Russia voluntarily assuming unilateral self-restraint on deploying ground-based INF systems for as long as similar US-made missile weapons do not emerge in the corresponding regions of the world.
Russia directly called upon NATO countries to declare a reciprocal moratorium on deploying weapons that had earlier been banned under the INF Treaty, and US allies in the Asia-Pacific region to support our efforts to prevent the arms race in that part of the world.
Regrettably, Russia’s initiatives were not reciprocated.
❗️ The United States and its allies openly declared their plans to deploy US ground-based INF missiles across the regions and moved along significantly in their efforts to implement these plans.
👉 Since 2023, we have observed instances of US systems capable of ground-launched INF strikes being transferred to the European NATO countries for trial use during exercises that clearly have an anti-Russian slant;
👉 In the Asia-Pacific, we note that under the pretext of exercises, a Typhon mid-range capability missile system was delivered to the Philippines in April 2024 and remains stationed there;
👉 During Talisman Sabre 2025 exercises, an Australian crew of the US-supplied HIMARS system launched a US-made PrSM missile, which had been tested by the Pentagon in 2021 at a range exceeding 500 km and qualifies as a ground-based INF-class missile.
We are thus witnessing a growing number of facts indicating the appearance of US-made weapons in a variety of regions around the globe including the regions that are of particular national security importance for Russia, and with characteristics that qualify them as ground-based intermediate- and shorter-range missile systems.
The plan stated by a number of US allies to acquire ground-based INF systems from Washington and/or develop their own missiles with ranges falling within the 500-5,500 km bracket, or to expand their existing national arsenals of such weapons constituted an important additional factor. <...>
The above steps by the collective West will form and build up destabilising missile capabilities in the regions that are adjacent to the Russian Federation, thus creating a direct and strategic threat to our country’s security. <...>
Russia has consistently made it clear that this scenario will prompt our country to take offsetting military-technical measures in order to neutralise emerging threats and to maintain strategic balance.
☝️ Our repeated warnings in this regard have been ignored, and the US-made ground-based INF systems are being deployed in Europe and the Asia-Pacific. In this regard, the Russian Foreign Ministry states that the conditions for maintaining a unilateral moratorium on the deployment of similar systems have ceased to exist. We are authorised to declare that the Russian Federation no longer considers itself bound by the previously adopted self-imposed restrictions.
Decisions on the specific variables as they apply to response measures will be made by the leadership of the Russian Federation based on interagency analysis of the scope of deployment of the US-made and other Western ground-launched INF systems, as well as overall developments in international security and strategic stability.
Read in full
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Vladimir Putin hosted US President's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff at the Kremlin
🇷🇺🇲🇾 President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin held talks in the Kremlin with Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim, who is in Russia on a state visit.
💬 President Putin: Your Majesty! Friends!
It is my great pleasure to warmly welcome you to Moscow.
We greatly value the friendship our two nations share, with diplomatic relations spanning nearly six decades.
Over these years, we have built a strong political dialogue, maintained close governmental interaction, and fostered ongoing ties between our parliamentarians.
Our trade is growing at an impressive pace. As I just mentioned while we were walking towards this hall, I have had the privilege of visiting Malaysia three times, and each visit left me with the warmest memories. <...>
Your country’s hospitality and the high-level reception we received, along with its unique, breathtaking nature, remain unforgettable – not only for me but also for members of my delegation who have had the honour of visiting Malaysia.
I have already mentioned the ongoing contacts between our respective departments. Your government leaders often visit our country, and I also have good relations with them.
📈 I must also note that bilateral trade grew by over 40 percent in the first five months of this year, which I see as an impressive achievement.
We cooperate on various international platforms – above all, of course, the United Nations. But it is well known that promoting dialogue with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which Malaysia chairs this year, remains one of Russia’s key foreign policy priorities in Asia.
Beyond our bilateral ties, Your Majesty, we are deeply grateful to you for Malaysia’s role in strengthening Russia’s engagement with the broader region.
Furthermore, we were pleased to support Kuala Lumpur’s interest in joining BRICS as a partner state – a landmark step that will benefit both our bilateral relations and the future of BRICS. Your country’s contributions to the recent Summit in Rio de Janeiro were highly commendable.
We also appreciate Malaysia’s active participation in the Russia – Islamic World strategic vision group, which has become an effective tool for fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between Russia and Islamic nations.
🤝 Your Majesty, I am confident that your visit will be both productive and rewarding. Beyond our official discussions, I hope you and your delegation will have the opportunity to experience and appreciate Moscow – one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing metropolises in the world.
Welcome, Your Majesty!
#RussiaMalaysia
💬 President Putin: Your Majesty! Friends!
It is my great pleasure to warmly welcome you to Moscow.
We greatly value the friendship our two nations share, with diplomatic relations spanning nearly six decades.
Over these years, we have built a strong political dialogue, maintained close governmental interaction, and fostered ongoing ties between our parliamentarians.
Our trade is growing at an impressive pace. As I just mentioned while we were walking towards this hall, I have had the privilege of visiting Malaysia three times, and each visit left me with the warmest memories. <...>
Your country’s hospitality and the high-level reception we received, along with its unique, breathtaking nature, remain unforgettable – not only for me but also for members of my delegation who have had the honour of visiting Malaysia.
I have already mentioned the ongoing contacts between our respective departments. Your government leaders often visit our country, and I also have good relations with them.
📈 I must also note that bilateral trade grew by over 40 percent in the first five months of this year, which I see as an impressive achievement.
We cooperate on various international platforms – above all, of course, the United Nations. But it is well known that promoting dialogue with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which Malaysia chairs this year, remains one of Russia’s key foreign policy priorities in Asia.
Beyond our bilateral ties, Your Majesty, we are deeply grateful to you for Malaysia’s role in strengthening Russia’s engagement with the broader region.
Furthermore, we were pleased to support Kuala Lumpur’s interest in joining BRICS as a partner state – a landmark step that will benefit both our bilateral relations and the future of BRICS. Your country’s contributions to the recent Summit in Rio de Janeiro were highly commendable.
We also appreciate Malaysia’s active participation in the Russia – Islamic World strategic vision group, which has become an effective tool for fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between Russia and Islamic nations.
🤝 Your Majesty, I am confident that your visit will be both productive and rewarding. Beyond our official discussions, I hope you and your delegation will have the opportunity to experience and appreciate Moscow – one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing metropolises in the world.
Welcome, Your Majesty!
#RussiaMalaysia
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