🎙 Briefing by MFA Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova (June 26, 2024)

🔹 Ukrainian crisis
🔹 Seoul and Bucharest reach an agreement on the supply of South Korean howitzers to Romania
🔹 Ukraine’s attempts to manipulate the contents of the UN Secretary-General’s Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict
🔹 President Putin’s initiative to create new continent-wide security architecture in Eurasia
🔹 Dynamics of G20 countries’ economic growth
🔹 Negative consequences of anti-Russia sanctions for the socioeconomic situation in the countries that imposed these restrictions
🔹 The Republic of Korea’s response to Russia signing the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the DPRK
🔹 UN Security Council’s restrictive regime regarding the DPRK
🔹 US sanctions against Kaspersky Lab
🔹 135th anniversary of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the International Day of Parliamentarism

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#Ukraine

Today’s Ukraine has long become a toxic state, rotten from the inside, which infects other countries with its corruption plague. This is something to be discussed on specialised platforms.

Mutually beneficial cooperation with the Kiev regime (it is important for the Global Majority countries to realise this, too) will only do harm, because no one will ever be able to estimate the true scale of corrupt schemes implemented by Bankovaya street.

They have clearly learned the trick by now. Their promises have brought huge gains to crime rings and arms barons around the world. In this sense, they feel like masters of the world right now.

#Ukraine #TheRepublicOfKorea

Given Seoul’s announced plans to reconsider its stance on supplying lethal weapons to the Kiev regime, we urge the Republic of Korea to avoid hasty actions that could irreversibly damage Russian-South Korean relations.

Russia cannot tolerate South Korean weaponry and military equipment being provided to the Ukrainian neo-Nazis to attack Russian territory and kill civilians.

#Sanctions

Despite the apparently exorbitant cost of the sanctions for those who have adopted them, the West continues with its suicidal anti-Russia policy. I do not mean the West as an association of people but as the regimes that have joined hands to line their pockets while pushing their people towards the abyss.

Leaders of the so-called "free world" are ruling in a world that is free from conscience and, now, money. While prioritising political considerations to the detriment of common logic and economic expedience, not to mention liberalism and economic freedoms, they are eroding the foundations of their own socioeconomic stability and the prosperity of their citizens.

🎙 President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin sent greetings to participants in the panel session of the 11th Forum of Russian and Belarusian Regions (June 28, 2024)

💬 Vladimir Putin: I am delighted to welcome the participants and organisers of the 11th Forum of Russian and Belarusian Regions.

Our meetings in this format have become a good tradition. This time, about 800 delegates from the majority of the constituent entities of Russian and Belarusian regions are attending the forum, including heads of regions, members of parliament, heads of agencies, business people and representatives of public and youth organisations. <...>

It is notable that this year the forum is focused on the role of interregional cooperation in developing the innovative economy of the Union State. This is one of the most topical issues, as Russia and Belarus are actively working to implement new technologies in all economic spheres and to boost the development of science-intensive sectors in industry and agriculture.

☝️ This is crucial for strengthening the sovereignty of our states, enhancing their competitiveness and ensuring their long-term sustainable economic growth, which naturally requires energetic and creative contributions not only from federal and central authorities but also from the regions. <...>

The package of agreements reached at the forum comprises about 250 agreements and commercial contracts worth 24 billion rubles in total. Their implementation will certainly help expand interaction between our regions and promote Russia-Belarus trade and investment cooperation. <...>

Last year, trade increased by more than 5 percent, reaching a record $46.5 billion, primarily driven by region-to-region interaction between manufacturers, wholesale vendors, and logistics centres based in various parts of both countries. <...>

🤝 Integration processes unfolding within the Union State and the Eurasian Economic Union play a crucial role in deepening region-to-region cooperation between Russia and Belarus.

Due to the increasingly close integration, Russian and Belarusian companies can operate within a single economic landscape, regardless of the region they are based in, without any barriers or obstacles.

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#RussiaBelarus

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks and answers to questions at the Primakov Readings International Forum (Moscow, June 26, 2024)

Key talking points:

🌐 We are witnessing the development of a fairer multipolar and polycentric architecture.

• Those whose business is to analyse international developments cannot disregard the fact that more and more countries in Eurasia, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America are trying to pursue a more independent foreign policy.

• The principles of “reginal solutions to reginal problems” is becoming increasingly more topical. More and more countries, regions and organisations have accepted it and have joined their voices in calling for more democratic international relations.

• There are now centres of power and development outside of Europe and outside of the Western world. This can be viewed as the positive results of the decolonisation process, which started in mid-20th century. The Soviet Union took part in it.

• Even if the US retains the status as one of the global centres of power in the foreseeable future, which is quite possible, this does not mean preserving the US-led world order.

• The only novelty, perhaps, is the non-independent, servile position of the leaders of big, respected European states with rich traditions of autonomy in international affairs and awareness of their own national dignity. <...> The US is already openly shifting the costs of fighting Russia to its European vassals, enabling its defence companies to make money.

❗️ We are interested in just one thing: threats to Russian security should stop emanating from the West.

• Our neighbours on the western tip of Eurasia could have become a centre of an emerging multipolar world order. Someday, they will change their mind and realise that their line, implemented on orders from Washington, is leading them into a blind alley.

• Western countries want to punish Russia, and they want to use our example to intimidate everyone who conducts, or intends to conduct, an independent foreign policy <...>. All these vain attempts have no future and are already yielding a diametrically opposite effect.

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🎙️Интервью Посла России в Великобритании А.В.Келина ИА ТАСС (28 июня 2024 года)

▪︎Выборы в Великобритании
▪︎Российско-британские отношения
▪︎Сотрудничество Великобритании с Китаем
▪︎Участие партии Reform UK в выборах в Великобритании
▪︎Заявления Н.Фараджа по России
▪︎Поставки дальнобойных вооружений киевскому режиму
▪︎Слушания по делу Д.Стерджес
▪︎Ситуация вокруг Сергея и Юлии Скрипалей
▪︎Британские санкции в отношении России
▪︎Свобода СМИ в Великобритании
▪︎Россия-НАТО
▪︎Ответные действия на высылку из Великобритании российского военного атташе

➡️Читать

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Взгляд лейбористов на российско-британские отношения

В программе, которую представили лейбористы, много бумаги, портретов Кира Страмера, но довольно мало конкретики, особенно по экономическим делам. Что касается России, то там содержится стандартный набор: упор на членство в НАТО, на сближение с Евросоюзом, всесторонняя помощь Украине, в том числе через НАТО и на двусторонней основе, есть слова о специальном трибунале для России и конфискации российских активов с передачей их Украине.

Я думаю, что отношения России с Великобританией при Стармере не улучшатся. Он, как и все руководство Лейбористской партии, полностью разделяет нынешние правительственные установки и ни на йоту от них не отходит.

Заявления Н.Фараджа по России

Что касается заявлений главы партии Reform UK Н.Фараджа по теме НАТО-Россия, то я хотел бы обратить внимание не них самих, так как они довольно противоречивые и неполные. Тут главное - реакция на эти заявления, которые были осуждены практически всем политическим истеблишментом, всеми министрами правительства, руководством других партий, ведущими комментаторами, центральными газетами. Это показывает, насколько высок уровень идеологизированности британского высшего общества в данный момент, насколько сильна фактическая цензура.

Поставки дальнобойных вооружений киевскому режиму

Британцы поставляют Украине крылатые ракеты воздушного базирования Strom Shadow. Это - высокотехнологическое оружие, которое запускается с самолетов, и это достаточно сложная аппаратура. В чем мы абсолютно уверены, хотя британцы этого не признают, что эти ракеты требуют очень серьезного технического обслуживания, полетные задания и целеуказания на эти ракеты должны ставить высококвалифицированные операторы. Конечно, это не украинцы, в чем мы абсолютно уверены.

Слушания по делу Д.Стерджес / Ситуация вокруг Сергея и Юлии Скрипалей

Очередные слушания по делу Дон Стерджес начнутся 14 октября. Сейчас появились спекуляции в прессе, будут или нет на слушаниях 14 октября Скрипали, придут ли они в суд. Вопрос непонятен, он остается подвешенным. Нам пока, несмотря на большое количество запросов, которые мы направили в Форин Оффис по поводу судьбы как Юлии, так и Сергея Скрипалей, ответ мы получили несколько месяцев назад всего один. Он сводится к тому, что Юлия имеет возможность связаться с посольством, но делать этого не собирается. А о самом Сергее Скрипале вопрос так и остался подвешенным. Но мы будем продолжать добиваться от британцев сведений о его состоянии, правовом статусе, равно как и об обстоятельствах произошедшего.

Россия-НАТО

Заявления об угрозе нападения России на страны НАТО - Такие настроения достаточно сильны в Великобритании, и в преддверии саммита НАТО они особенно нагнетаются. Могу обратить внимание на тот факт, что во всех предвыборных программах политических партий заложены идеи повышения оборонных расходов до 2,5% с нынешних двух, причем это есть даже у партии Фараджа Reform UK. Лозунги о том, что Россия не остановится, а пойдет дальше, преследует две цели. Одна из них - добиваться повышения оборонных расходов с тем, чтобы кормить собственный ВПК и, конечно, укреплять НАТО. Вторая цель - сделать так, чтобы у населения не закрадывались даже сомнения в том, что правительство вправе и должно продолжать оказывать всяческую военную помощь Киеву, вливать деньги в Украину, а не в свое народное хозяйство.

🎙️Ambassador Andrei Kelin’s interview to TASS News Agency (June 28, 2024)

▪︎General elections in the UK
▪︎Labour Party’s view on the Russia-UK relations
▪︎UK's cooperation with China
▪︎Reform UK's participation in the Elections
▪︎Statements by Nigel Farage on Russia
▪︎Deliveries of long-range weapons to the Kyiv regime
▪︎Hearings on the Dawn Sturgess case
▪︎The situation surrounding Sergei and Yulia Skripal
▪︎British sanctions against Russia
▪︎Freedom of the press in the UK
▪︎Russia-NATO Relations
▪︎Retaliatory measures following the expulsion of the Russian Military Attaché from the UK

➡️Read in full

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Labour Party’s view on the Russia-UK relations

The Labour Party’s manifesto is replete with reams of paper and portraits of Keir Starmer, yet notably deficient in specifics, especially regarding economic affairs. As for Russia, the manifesto reiterates the usual rhetoric: a focus on NATO membership, closer ties with the EU, comprehensive aid to Ukraine, both through NATO and bilaterally. It also calls for a special tribunal for Russia and the confiscation of Russian assets to be handed over to Ukraine. This stance reflects a broader anti-Russian sentiment.

I do not foresee any improvement in Russo-British relations under Starmer. He, along with the Labour Party leadership, wholly subscribes to current government policies and deviates not an inch from them.

Statements by Nigel Farage on Russia

Regarding Farage’s current statements on NATO-Russia issues, the main point is not the statements themselves, which are contradictory and incomplete, but the reaction to them. These statements have been condemned by virtually the entire political establishment, including all government ministers, party leaders, leading commentators, and major newspapers. This demonstrates the high level of ideological rigidity in British high society at present and the extent of de facto censorship. Any deviation from the approved line is not just unacceptable but condemned outright, with no room for dissent.

Deliveries of long-range weapons to the Kyiv regime

Britain is supplying Ukraine with Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles. We have a reasonable estimate of the quantities involved, considering production capabilities, and we understand the capabilities of these missiles. They are sophisticated, high-tech weapons launched from aircraft and requiring significant technical maintenance. We are certain, though the British deny it, that these missiles need highly skilled operators for mission planning and targeting. We are confident that these operators are not Ukrainians but those involved in their production and training.

Hearings on the Dawn Sturgess case / The situation surrounding Sergei and Yulia Skripal

The next hearings in the Dawn Sturgess case are scheduled for October 14. Speculation abounds in the press about whether the Skripals will attend. Despite numerous inquiries to the Foreign Office about the status of Yulia and Sergei Skripal, we received only one response months ago, indicating that Yulia can contact the Embassy but has so far choosn not to do that. Sergei Skripal’s status remains unclear. We will continue to seek information from the British about his condition and legal status and the circumstances of the incident.

Russia-NATO Relations

Statements about a Russian threat to NATO countries are particularly pronounced in the UK, especially ahead of the NATO summit. Notably, all party manifestos advocate increasing defense spending from the current 2% to 2.5%, including Farage’s Reform UK party. The narrative that Russia will not stop but continue its aggression serves two purposes: justifying increased defense spending to support the domestic defense industry and NATO, and ensuring public support for continued military aid to Ukraine instead of domestic investment.

🎙 Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s answer to a media question about the EU imposing the 14th package of unilateral sanctions on Russia

❓ Question: What can you say about the new economic and sector-specific sanctions imposed on Russia by the European Union yesterday?

💬 Maria Zakharova: On June 24, the European Union announced the 14th since February 2022 package of sanctions on Russia. On the same day, the Foreign Ministry released a statement covering our response.

On a broader scale, I can say that all previous sanctions imposed by Brussels have failed. Contrary to what the EU “strategists” planned to accomplish, they were unable to undermine the Russian economy, let alone disrupt the unity of our people in the face of external threat coming from the United States and its underlings.

The 14th package of EU sanctions includes new unlawful restrictions on the Russian energy sector, which are designed to limit or outright block Russian oil and gas shipments to the global market. For example, Brussels has imposed restrictions on using its infrastructure for transporting Russian LNG to all countries, except the EU.

Clearly, what the EU is doing to cause harm to Russia equally harms third countries, destabilises global commodity markets, and undermines energy security of the developing economies. However, the EU cares little to nothing about other countries’ interests.

The Global Majority, including Russia’s BRICS partners, has adopted an unequivocal stance where any unilateral sanctions that are not approved by the UN Security Council are inconsistent with international law and are illegitimate.

<...>

The above goes to show that the EU’s unilateral sanctions are a case of colonial behaviour. They serve as a tool to restrain the democratisation process of international relations, to intimidate and to punish third countries, and to suppress their will to pursue autonomous policies.

❗️ The Foreign Ministry made clear in its statement that the latest illegitimate EU sanctions will not be left unanswered.

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🎙️Интервью Посла России в Великобритании А.В.Келина телеканалу «Россия 24» (28 июня 2024 года)

▪︎Выборы в Великобритании
▪︎Заявления Н.Фараджа по России
▪︎Уровень доверия британцев политическому руководству страны
▪︎Позиции партии Reform UK

➡️Смотреть интервью

🗓 On June 29, Russia commemorates Partisans and Underground Fighters Day, honoring the memory of those who, during the Great Patriotic War, valiantly fought the Nazis in the resistance movement, either in partisan units or as part of underground networks in the occupied territories. Operating behind the front lines and deep within enemy territory, they disrupted enemy communications, instilled fear in fascist executioners and criminals, and provided invaluable support to the Red Army, thereby accelerating the long-awaited Victory.

On this day in 1941, the USSR Council of People's Commissars and the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) issued a directive to the party and Soviet organizations in frontline regions, urging the mobilization of all resources and efforts to defeat the fascist invaders. This directive marks the official inception of the partisan movement in the Soviet Union.

☝️ During the war, the partisan movement quickly became a nationwide phenomenon. Over a million partisans operated behind enemy lines, executing sabotage operations, destroying railways, German garrisons, and warehouses, and relaying critical intelligence to the Red Army command. Their relentless activities compelled the Nazi command to divert substantial police forces, security troops, and regular military units to combat them and safeguard their communications.

Partisans and underground fighters hailed from diverse nationalities, ages, and professions, including women and teenagers. Operating under the most arduous conditions, they frequently risked their lives to carry out combat missions. The heroic deeds of individuals such as Sidor Kovpak, Matvei Kuzmin, Valya Kotik, and Varvara Vyrvich, along with numerous other heroes whose names are indelibly etched in history, exemplify the valor of these partisans.

👉 Delve deeper into the intricacies of guerrilla warfare, the remarkable exploits of partisans and underground fighters, and their valiant resistance against the Nazi invaders.

❗️ The efforts of partisans and the endeavors of underground fighters were pivotal in achieving Victory over the Nazis. In recognition of their contributions, the "Partisan of the Patriotic War" medal was instituted on February 2, 1943. Over 180,000 partisans and underground fighters received orders and medals, with 249 being honored with the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.