❗️ Foreign Ministry statement on the terrorist attack at Sevastopol

On June 23, the Kiev regime, with support from the US and its satellites, committed yet another heinous terrorist crime against civilians in Russia by firing missiles at Sevastopol. For their terrorist attack, they specially chose a day – Holy Trinity Sunday – one of the most important holidays celebrated by the Russian Orthodox Church.

◼️ Four people were killed, including a two-year-old boy, who was playing on the municipal beach, and a nine-year-old girl. 151 people applied for medical assistance; 82 – 55 adults and 27 children – were hospitalised, many of them in a grave condition. All patients are receiving skilled medical aid.

According to the Defence Ministry of Russia, the attackers used US ATACMS operational missiles with cluster warheads for greater kill ability. All flight data was entered by US military crews based on US reconnaissance satellite inputs. A Global Hawk US reconnaissance drone was on duty off Crimea.

The Investigative Committee of Russia has promptly started an investigation into this crime. All those implicated in this and other terrorist attacks in the territory of the Russian Federation will incur inevitable punishment.

There is no doubt that the United States is involved in this ominous crime. <...> A response to this crime will inevitably follow.

☝️ The Western capitals continue to criminally hush up the Zelensky regime’s barbarous actions. There are no denouncements from international organisations either. The Russian Federation is again urging them to give a proper assessment to yet another outrage perpetrated by the Kiev regime and the West.

Russia expresses its sincere gratitude for the condolences conveyed by officials from friendly states and by members of the European and US public. The words of commiseration continue to come in.

🕯 We commiserate with Sevastopol, where a day of mourning has been announced today. We express condolences to the families and friends of the victims and wish an early recovery to the wounded.

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⚡️On the summoning of the US Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy to the Russian Foreign Ministry

🗓 On June 24, US Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy was summoned to the Foreign Ministry, where she was presented with a demarche in connection with a new bloody crime committed by the Kiev regime, patronised and armed by Washington, which launched a well-targeted missile attack on civilians in Sevastopol that led to numerous casualties, including among children.

It was stressed that the US was conducting a hybrid war against Russia and supplying the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the most advanced weapons, including ATACMS missiles with cluster warheads used against Sevastopol residents, which actually made the US a party to the conflict. Moreover, the targeting and flight data entry is performed by US military crews and therefore the US shares equal responsibility with the Kiev regime for this outrage.

❗️ The ambassador was told that Washington’s actions of this sort, including its permission to fire at targets in the Russian hinterland, actions that were aimed at encouraging the pro-Nazi authorities in Ukraine to continue hostilities “until the last Ukrainian,” would not be left unpunished.

Retaliatory measures are certain to follow.

🎙️Комментарий Посольства в связи с попытками обелить роль НАТО в текущем кризисе европейской безопасности

▪︎Обратили внимание на предпринятую Министерством обороны Великобритании лицемерную попытку представить Североатлантический альянс защитником мира, безопасности и свободы, а Россию – в качестве «агрессора».

▪︎Этот сомнительный тезис опровергается простыми фактами из истории после окончания «холодной войны». Прежде всего – полномасштабной вооруженной агрессией НАТО против Союзной Республики Югославии в 1999 г. с последующим противозаконным отторжением части ее территории в нарушение Устава ООН и других основополагающих норм международного права.

▪︎Широкомасштабные агрессивные действия были предприняты основными членами НАТО против Ирака и Ливии с задействованием инфраструктуры и различных военных возможностей альянса. В ряду «достижений» необходимо упомянуть печально известные решения саммита НАТО в Бухаресте в 2008 г. о том, что Украина и Грузия в будущем будут приняты в НАТО. Трагические последствия этого шага будут еще долго ощущаться на постсоветском пространстве.

▪︎Деятельность альянса не предлагает позитивной повестки и не вносит вклад в поддержание мира и безопасности. Красноречивый пример: в нарушение данных руководству бывшего СССР обещаний Запад спустил на тормозах реализацию объединительной схемы с созданием пространства единой и неделимой безопасности в Европе. Вместо этого Запад избрал стратегию расширения зоны своего исключительного влияния под военно-политическим «зонтиком» НАТО.

☝️Этими действиями страны-члены НАТО перечеркнули собственные обязательства, взятые на себя в рамках итогового документа Стамбульского саммита ОБСЕ 1999 г., согласно которым государства-участники Организации «не будут укреплять свою безопасность за счет безопасности других государств».

❗Руководство альянса и его ведущих стран-членов сыграло определяющую роль в развязывании и поддержании украинского конфликта, нацеленного исключительно на сдерживание нашей страны и нанесение ей «стратегического поражения». Приведение к власти в 2014 г. в результате антиконституционного госпереворота украинских националистов, опирающихся на нацистское наследие Бандеры и Шухевича; поджог Дома профсоюзов в Одессе; восьмилетняя военная осада Донбасса и блокада российского Крыма; подавление русскоязычия и православия; саботаж Минских соглашений; подготовка к вооруженной агрессии против ДНР и ЛНР; а сегодня – и открытые террористические вылазки и обстрелы мирных российских городов с помощью поставленного натовцами оружия наподобие воскресного удара по Севастополю – звенья одной цепи, тянущейся в Вашингтон, Лондон и Брюссель.

☝️Попытки Минобороны Великобритании прикрыть агрессивный оскал НАТО «овечьей шкурой» собственного изготовления неубедительны. Россия никакой стране альянса не угрожала и не угрожает. Как нам постоянно говорят руководители западных стран и функционеры самой организации, это НАТО уже много лет готовится к конфликту с Россией. В этих условиях наша страна продолжит планомерную работу над обеспечением жизненно важных интересов своей безопасности на западном направлении.

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🇷🇺🇧🇾 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks during a restricted- format meeting with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus Sergey Aleinik (Minsk, June 24, 2024)

💬 I am glad to be in Minsk. It always feels like home, like being among friends. At the same time, I also feel great responsibility for the work we are doing, just like at home.

We have really established close contacts between the Foreign Ministries of the Union State. Our colleagues from other government departments, primarily from the economic bloc, special services and security agencies began to closely interact with us. We ensure the common interests of the Union State.

#RussiaBelarus
#UnionState

🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks during expanded-format talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus Sergey Aleinik (Minsk, June 24, 2024)

💬 Sergey Lavrov: It is always a pleasure to be among friends on the hospitable Belarusian land in Minsk.

In addition to excellent conditions for joint work (we have a lot on our agenda), Minsk offers excellent opportunity to communicate with old acquaintances and comrades as well.

Thank you for expressing condolences in connection with yesterday’s terrorist attack in Sevastopol. There was another terrorist attack with casualties in Dagestan. The relevant competent authorities are doing their best to swiftly identify the perpetrators and those who ordered the attack.

We have no doubt that the United States and its Ukrainian underlings are involved in it. The weapons supplied by Washington to the Ukrainian regime were used in the attack. These weapons cannot be used without the direct involvement of the US military, including their satellite capabilities.

You have emphasised the importance of preserving historical memory no matter what. This applies to the terrorist threat which does not subside on the ground, including with regard to our respective countries, and the memory of the Great Patriotic War, which has come under attack from numerous angles. Attempts are being made to rewrite history, and to equate the victor and the aggressor. Monuments are being torn down, and Nazi criminals are being glorified.

Key talking points:

• During the recent “summit on peace in Ukraine” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shouted out Nazi slogans, and no one, including “neutral” Swiss hosts, dared to call him to order.

• Our interaction is more valuable than ever given the circumstances. In recent years, it has reached unprecedented heights.

• This is my third trip to Minsk and our sixth meeting this year. We know there will be more this year. I appreciate the invitation to attend the second Minsk Conference on Eurasian Security, which will be held on October 31-November 1. We will definitely be there.

#RussiaBelarus
#EurasianSecurity

🇷🇺🇰🇿📞 President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke over the phone with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to express deep condolences and solidarity with the Russian people over the tragic aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Dagestan.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev strongly condemned the barbaric missile attack on civilians in Sevastopol as well. Vladimir Putin thanked him for the words of support.

🤝 Both Sides emphasised willingness to build up cooperation in fighting terrorism.

The Russian President informed his counterpart about the results of his recent visits to Pyongyang and Hanoi.

Several aspects of further continued expansion development of Russia-Kazakhstan cooperation in the energy sector were also touched upon as well.

The Leaders agreed to maintain personal contacts, including at the #SCO summit in Astana on July 3–4.

#RussiaKazakhstan

🇷🇺🇺🇿📞 In a telephone conversation with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed deep condolences over the deaths of civilians and law enforcement officers in the terrorist attacks in Daghestan.

The Presidents discussed continued expansion of mutually beneficial Russia-Uzbekistan cooperation in the context of implementing the agreements reached following the President of Russia’s recent state visit to Tashkent.

#RussiaUzbekistan

The Mirror should perform a minimal check of its sources before going to print.

@_MariaZakharova is a fake (fan) account and, consequently, the whole article is bogus

@DailyMirror

🎙️Комментарий Посольства относительно развития ситуации вокруг Дж.Ассанжа

▪︎Рассматриваем состоявшееся 24 июня в Лондоне освобождение Дж.Ассанжа из-под стражи как устранение одной из несправедливостей, объектом которых стал основатель «Викиликс». Надеемся, что это позволит журналисту восстановить серьезно пошатнувшееся в британской тюрьме здоровье и вернуться к полноценной жизни.

▪︎Вместе с тем очевидно, что вчерашнее событие – результат договоренностей Дж.Ассанжа и американской стороны, и еще предстоит увидеть, выполнит ли Вашингтон свою часть сделки. В любом случае заслуг британского правосудия в этом нет. Здешние власти сначала постановили лишить журналиста свободы и экстрадировать, а потом упустили возможность принять принципиальное решение об отказе от этой несправедливой и нелегитимной линии.

▪︎Все эти годы они действовали в интересах США и делали за них «грязную работу» по изоляции Дж.Ассанжа в рамках коллективного преследования, которое попирало основополагающие принципы свободы слова и прав человека. Теперь попросту отреагировали на отмашку из-за океана.

☝️На совести британского правительства и судебной системы навсегда останутся пять с лишним лет, которые основатель «Викиликс» провел в тяжелейших условиях одиночного заключения тюрьмы строгого режима, скорее предусмотренных для террористов, и те последствия, которые это имело для него лично и его семьи, а также для мировой журналистики и независимых СМИ в целом.

🇷🇺🇹🇷📞 President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin spoke over the phone with President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

During telephone conversation President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan strongly condemned the heinous terrorist attack in Daghestan. He expressed solidarity with the Russian people, conveyed sincere condolences to the victims’ families and wished a speedy recovery to all the injured.

Vladimir Putin thanked his counterpart for his condolences and support. The Leaders agreed to continue close coordination in the fight against terrorism.

They also agreed to maintain further personal contacts, including at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (#SCO) Summit in Astana on July 3–4.

#RussiaTürkiye

⚡️ The Foreign Ministry’s statement on retaliatory measures in response to the 14th package of EU sanctions against Russia

🔻 The European Union continues its confrontational policy with regard to Russia. The EU is trying to bring pressure to bear on the Russian Federation by introducing unilateral restrictions. On June 24, the EU countries approved the 14th package of sanctions. These actions are illegitimate from the international legal point of view, because they are taken in circumvention of the UN Security Council. They also lack prospects and can only undermine the Global Majority’s trust in the EU.

In response to these unfriendly steps, Russia has significantly expanded the list of representatives of European institutions and EU member states, who are banned from entering the Russian Federation under Federal Law On the Procedure for Leaving the Russian Federation and Entering the Russian Federation No 114-FZ dated August 15, 1996:

• representatives of the military and law enforcement agencies and EU countries’ government and commercial organisations, as well as citizens of EU member states responsible for rendering military assistance to the Kiev regime;

• employees of European institutions and EU countries’ government bodies implicated in persecuting Russian officials for alleged “illegal arrests and kidnappings from Ukrainian territories,” involved in organising a “special tribunal” for Russian leaders, officials who advocate confiscating Russian state assets or using revenues from them in the interests of the Kiev regime, officials responsible for introducing sanctions against Russia and trying to undermine its relations with other countries;

• civil activists and representatives of the scientific community notorious for their rhetoric.

The Russian stop-list also includes representatives of the Council of Europe, members of the legislative assemblies of the EU countries and their national delegations to PACE, who systematically coin aggressive statements targeting the Russian Federation.

☝️ Russia reaffirms that any unfriendly steps from the Western countries will not be left without a retaliation.

🇷🇺🇧🇾 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks during a meeting with President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko (Minsk, June 25, 2024)

💬 Thank you for your kind words about the foreign ministries of our countries. We do our best to achieve the strategic goals that you and President of Russia Vladimir Putin have set in foreign policy, and to organise our foreign political activities in a manner that provides diplomatic support for integration.

Yesterday, we signed the Joint Statement on the Main Foreign Policy Tasks of the Union Integration of Russia and Belarus. The statement directs us to always consider the interests of the Union State rather than the interests of Minsk or Moscow separately when strengthening our coordination.

All the agreements concerning the Shanghai Cooperation Organisations have been finalised. As the first act of the Summit in Astana, Belarus will be officially accepted as a full #SCO Member State. Minsk will participate in all events on par with the other members.

🌐 We can report on other matters as well. Yesterday, we held a detailed discussion about the #UN and the #OSCE. You are fortunate in that Belarus was never a member of the Council of Europe, so you did not have to withdraw.

Eurasian security are under discussion as well. Both you and Vladimir Putin have voiced your proposals.

<...>

👉 Mr Aleinik and I discussed how to promote the concept of Eurasian security and get more like-minded Parties involved. I believe this concept has good prospects.

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#RussiaBelarus #UnionState

⚡️ Foreign Ministry’s statement on retaliatory measures following EU restrictions against Russian media outlets

💬 In response to the May 17 decision of the EU Council, banning broadcasting by three Russian media outlets, including RIA Novosti, Izvestia MIC and Rossiyskaya Gazeta, effective from today, June 25, countermeasures are being introduced that limit access to broadcasting resources in the Russian Federation for media outlets of the EU member states and EU media operators that systemically spread false information about the special military operation.

The Russian Side has repeatedly warned at various levels that politically motivated persecution of Russian journalists and unjustified bans on Russian media outlets in the EU will not go unanswered.

This notwithstanding, Brussels and the capitals of the bloc’s countries preferred to further escalate the situation. By imposing another illegitimate ban, they forced Moscow to introduce symmetrical and proportional countermeasures. Responsibility for these developments rests solely with the EU leadership and the countries of this association that have supported this decision.

The Russian Side will revise its decision concerning the above-mentioned media operators, if restrictions against Russian media outlets are lifted.

👉 A list of media outlets of the EU member states and EU media operators, covered by retaliatory measures and restrictions limiting broadcasts and internet access on the territory of the Russian Federation.

🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks during a meeting with Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Igor Sergeyenko (Minsk, June 25, 2024)

💬 We appreciate the invitation to visit the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus as part of the Russian Foreign Ministry delegation’s official visit to the Republic of Belarus.

I would like to congratulate you in person on your election to this post in March. Without a doubt, you will focus your efforts not only on promoting the interests of the Republic of Belarus, but also the interests of the Union State. With 28 union programmes under its belt, the union’s integration processes have clearly picked up momentum over the past several years.

All of these programmes rely on solid legal framework. New goals have been set. Our countries have approved 31 priority areas for 2024-2026, which contain several hundred measures to be acted upon. Importantly, this work needs foreign policy support.

Yesterday, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus Sergey Aleinik and I adopted a Joint Statement of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus on the key goals of the foreign policy dimension of the union integration of Russia and Belarus. We reviewed the status of the implementation of the action plan.

On a separate note, yesterday, we signed an expanded petition to the heads of several Eurasian organisations with a proposal to join in the development of a concept of continental security, which will be open to all Eurasian countries and have these countries themselves decide on ways to ensure reliable and indivisible security without the involvement of regional forces. All Euro-Atlantic security models failed miserably in matters of ensuring equality. As a matter of fact, all of them have been put at the service of the United States and its allies.

In preparation for the second High-Level International Conference “Eurasian Security: Reality and Prospects in a Transforming World” to be held this autumn, to which I was kindly invited (I will definitely go there), we will hold consultations with our Belarusian friends and other invitees. We will do our best to bring onboard sub-regional entities such as #CSTO, #CIS, #SCO, #ASEAN, #GCC, and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia. The agenda is quite fulfilling.

🕯 I appreciate your offering condolences in connection with the heinous criminal terrorist attacks in Dagestan and Sevastopol. We made tough demarches to the United States, because there is no doubt that without at least their tacit approval, and in fact direct technological participation, the terrorist attacks in Sevastopol would not have been possible.

The reaction to these atrocities coming from Washington and the European Union reveals that they will stoop to anything, including outright terrorism, in their ephemeral attempts to inflict a “strategic defeat” on the Russian Federation in every sense of these words.

I have no doubt whatsoever that the people of Europe do not need this at all. They need to address their own issues. However, the US-led elites have united behind yet another idea (after Napoleon and Hitler) to enslave and subjugate our country.

🤝 Just like we joined hands with our Belarusian friends to respond to the invaders before, there is no doubt that the Russian army and the people, with the support of Belarus and our other allies, will achieve every goal that President Vladimir Putin has set as part of the special military operation.