🎙 Excerpt from statement by Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Maria Zabolotskaya at an informal Arria-formula meeting of the UNSC members

💬 The crisis in Ukraine was engineered by Western countries and it is still being inflamed by these very countries, which are allegedly so worried about the plight of the people affected by the conflict.

Among these countries, a particularly prominent role is played by the United Kingdom. As early as 2016, London signed a memorandum on military cooperation with Kiev, initiating intelligence sharing between the two sides. The UK also began training Ukrainian military personnel.

It therefore came as no surprise that, in the spring of 2022, when the parameters of a peaceful settlement had largely been determined during the Istanbul negotiations, Prime Minister Boris Johnson intervened to derail the signing of the agreements and instructed Kiev to proceed with hostilities.

Yet, today a British representative is talking about de-escalation. But where was that rhetoric in 2022? London remains one of the major suppliers of weapons to the Ukrainian armed forces and has already spent more than 13 billion pounds on military assistance. Since 2024, it has been implementing the Project Breakstop, with long-range British systems being currently tested thereunder.

Today’s meeting is essentially yet another attempt to justify the use of these systems against Russia and its civilian population.

In 2020, the UK signed the Political, Free Trade, and Strategic Partnership Agreement with Ukraine, and in 2024, a security cooperation agreement. I don’t think there is anyone in this chamber who believes that these are acts of charity. Rather, it is time-tested colonial policy that is being pursued in Ukraine, and Ukrainians are expected to earn the right to become a British- mandated territory.

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🤦‍♂️ The Financial Times editorial board’s recipe for “peace” in Ukraine: more weapons for Kiev and more strikes inside Russia. Apparently, the way to the negotiating table is to set it on fire.

“Strike the archer, not just the arrow,” says the FT. Quite a metaphor. If Ukraine is the arrow, who is holding the bow?

☢️ Zaporozhskaya Nuclear Power Plant (#ZNPP):

On August 11, three people were injured in a Ukrainian drone attack in Energodar’s industrial area. Two of them are employees of the electrical grid workshop at the Zaporozhskaya NPP (part of Rosatom).

The employees were en route to restore power to facilities in the industrial area damaged in previous AFU attacks.

ZNPP electrical grid personnel work every day to restore power to Energodar and industrial facilities following Ukrainian strikes. Often working under the threat of renewed attacks, they make every effort to promptly restore electricity to damaged areas.

It was these very people – on their way to restore power supplies – who were targeted.

All those injured were taken to Medical Unit No. 145, where they are receiving all necessary medical care. Unfortunately, one of them is in serious condition.

❗️ The AFU deliberately put Zaporozhskaya NPP personnel at risk as they carry out work vital to the city. They repair damaged infrastructure and maintain power supplies to social and industrial facilities – doing so every day despite the constant threat of attack.

The plant’s personnel continue to perform their professional duties, ensuring the safety and uninterrupted functioning of Energodar.

☝️ Обратили внимание на публикацию в газете «Таймс», в которой говорится, что Британия хотела бы восстановления военных контактов с российской стороной.

Напомним, что инициатором сворачивания диалога по линии оборонных ведомств выступил именно Лондон. В мае 2024 года власти Соединённого Королевства под надуманным предлогом выслали российского военного атташе, что разрушило традиционный канал взаимодействия между министерствами обороны. Значит, именно им и нужно сделать первый шаг, чтобы его «починить».

Со стороны британцев нам периодически поступают сигналы о желании возобновить контакты, однако практических действий они не предпринимают.

☝️ We have taken note of an article in The Times stating that Britain would like to restore military contacts with Russia.

It is worth recalling that it was London that initiated the dismantling of defence dialogue. In May 2024, the UK authorities expelled the Russian military attaché on a flimsy pretext, effectively destroying the traditional channel of communication between the two defence ministries. Therefore, it is up to Britain to take the first step towards “repairing” it.

We periodically receive signals from the British side indicating a wish to resume contacts, yet they have taken no practical action.

💬 President Vladimir Putin: The authorities of certain countries, in violation of international maritime law, are attempting to restrict the peaceful movement of vessels belonging to our economic operators.

They have recently even conceived of the possibility of seizing our ships and selling off the looted property.

This is nothing other than piracy and plunder.

And should this begin to be put into practice, we will be compelled to respond in kind – and not necessarily in the waters where raids on our ships and vessels are being planned, but wherever we ourselves deem it necessary and appropriate, in any location whatsoever, including within the area of responsibility of the Pacific Fleet.

Such an instruction has been given to the Ministry of Defence.

Excerpt from President Putin's remarks during the final stage of the Pacific Fleet drills