🇷🇺 President of Russia Vladimir Putin addressed the guests at a reception on behalf of the President of Russia in honour of the heads of state invited to attend the celebrations of the 79th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945.

💬 President Putin: Today, on Victory Day, it is with a special feeling of warmth that we welcome in Russia and here in Moscow our reliable partners and friends.

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Time has no power over the greatness of the colossal victory of 1945. Despite all attempts to rewrite history, the lessons that the world community learnt in the crucible of the Second World War remain unassailable.

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We remember the Allied contribution to fighting Nazism, those who took part in the lend-lease convoys, including Cuba, by the way. We are delighted to have the President of this country, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, with us on a day which matters so much to all of us.

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The Nazis directed most of their military might against the Soviet Union, but the enemy had to face a vigorous and firm pushback there. The entire Soviet nation rose to defend the Fatherland in an unprecedented demonstration of unity and mass heroism.

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Having defeated Nazism and asserted its independence, our country made a sincere effort to support other nations aspiring to self-determination by helping people in Africa and Asia both in word and deed during their anti-colonial struggles without backing out once they achieved their state independence.

I believe that President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who is here today, will agree that this consistency on behalf of the Soviet Union and then Russia has borne fruit.

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☝️ Russia reaffirms its commitment to promoting mutually beneficial partnerships and friendship with everyone who shares the values of freedom and justice and calls for strictly abiding by the international norms, as well as for an inclusive, equal and indivisible security architecture.

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🇷🇺🇨🇺 President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez held a meeting at the Kremlin.

💬 President Putin: We are delighted to see you in Russia and in Moscow. Thank you for finding the opportunity to attend the parade marking the 79th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

I would like to emphasise something that may be overlooked by some: Cuban patriots also contributed to the fight against Nazism and fought on the frontlines of the Great Patriotic War. They fought for Leningrad in the most challenging hotspots, including the Neva Bridgehead. We remember this, we know this, and we will always respect those who stood shoulder to shoulder with our forefathers in their battle against Nazism.

Yesterday, you attended the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, which is part of the Eurasian Economic Union, one of the most effective associations in the post-Soviet space. Cuba takes part in these meetings as an observer state and I hope that this brings about tangible results.

🤝 Russia’s relations with Cuba are based on the feelings of friendship and mutual respect. It has always been this way.

We have always shown support for the people of Cuba and rejected the continuing and long-standing attempts by the United States to restrain Cuba in its development and harm its economy by imposing illegal sanctions and restrictions.

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#RussiaCuba

✍️ President Vladimir Putin sent greetings to the participants and guests of the 15th International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: #KazanForum,” underway in Kazan (May 10, 2024)

💬 Russia values its traditionally friendly ties with Muslim countries. We highly appreciate their desire to pursue an independent foreign policy and increase their role in international affairs.

Together, we stand for the formation of a democratic multipolar world order, based on the rule of law and principles of justice, free from any form of dictatorship and discrimination. Of course, we are also committed to expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas, from trade and investment to sports and tourism.

☝️ We believe the next meeting of the Russia – Islamic World Strategic Vision Working Group, organised together with representatives of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, is of great importance. It is also important that Russia’s interaction with this authoritative international association on current issues of the regional and global agenda is progressing.

I believe that the work of the Forum will be meaningful and constructive as always and will be held in a spirit of openness and trust. It will serve to further promote the friendship and creative partnership between our countries and peoples.

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🎬 From Berlin to Maidan: 80 years on — Nazism gaining notoriety in Ukraine — an RT Doc Film.

Synopsis: In 1945 the Soviet Union defeated Nazi Germany and put an end to the Nazi atrocities at the cost of 27 million lives of the Soviet people. 80 years later, the same nationalist ideas the Soviet people had been fighting against is starting to spread across Ukraine.

The main ideas of the Third Reich are now relevant in Ukraine: killing of civilians, militarisation of society and radical policy imposed by nationalists. Besides that, history books in Ukraine are being rewritten, with nationalist leaders Stepan Bandera and Roman Shukhevich being made new role models, while the monuments of WWII heroes are being demolished. Decades later, is history repeating itself again?

The authors of the film, talking about the Great Patriotic War, draw parallels with the current events in Ukraine. Now, at the places of those old battles, when the Red Army liberated Ukraine from Hitler, hostilities are taking place again. The grandchildren of the Soviet soldiers who defeated German fascism in 1945 have to fight with its new followers, whose hero is Bandera. Historians, political scientists and journalists share their opinions on the reasons that led to the war 80 years ago and on the current situation in Ukraine.

🌐 Russian diplomats, compatriots, friends and all those who remember history and the sacrifice made by the Soviet people in saving humanity from Nazism, on May 9 pay tribute to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War and their immortal feat.

📹 Here's how #VictoryDay is celebrated abroad, far away from home.

#Victory79

📰 Интервью директора Второго Европейского департамента МИД России С.С.Беляева ТАСС (11 мая 2024 года)

Основные тезисы:

• Правительство Великобритании не только не намерено отказываться от курса на жёсткое противостояние с Россией, но и продолжает прилагать существенные усилия для повышения градуса конфронтации. При этом принцип безосновательных обвинений "хайли лайкли" стал фирменным почерком британской дипломатии.

• Произошедший в Солсбери в марте 2018 года инцидент с участием граждан нашей страны Сергея и Юлии Скрипалей остаётся в числе главных раздражителей в российско-британских отношениях. Спустя шесть лет с момента происшествия Лондон по-прежнему демонстрирует нежелание к предметному диалогу. За прошедшие с момента провокации годы посольство России в Лондоне направило в британский МИД более 60 письменных запросов, а на сайте дипмиссии в сети "Интернет" размещён подробный регулярно обновляемый информационно-аналитический материал "Солсбери: вопросы, которые остались без ответов".

• Поставляемое британское вооружение активно применяется ВСУ в ходе террористических атак на гражданскую инфраструктуру и мирное население Донбасса, а также других российских регионов.

• Решение денонсировать соглашение, разрешавшее британским морякам ловить рыбу в российской зоне Баренцева моря, стало логичным, хотя и вынужденным ответом на продолжающийся антироссийский курс Лондона.

❗️ Наши дипмиссии в странах Прибалтики работают в крайне сложных, по сути, осадных условиях. Несмотря на крайнюю русофобию и враждебную атмосферу, сотрудники российских загранпредставительств продолжают достойно нести вахту, отстаивают интересы нашей Родины, а также проживающих в прибалтийских странах росграждан и соотечественников.

• Сегодня финской стороной сделано всё, чтобы разрушить некогда прочные связи между приграничными регионами России и Финляндии. Мы уверены, что коренным национальным интересам финского народа в максимальной степени отвечал бы курс на добрососедство с Россией.

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Из Британии доносятся дешевые провокационные обвинения в адрес России
в том, что принадлежащая нам резиденция Сикокс-Хит используется Москвой для шпионажа.

Хочу отметить, что подобные заявления британских властей не впервые звучат именно в периоды обострения отношений между нашими странами и традиционно никакого отношения к действительности не имеют.

💬Grigory Karasin:

There are cheap and provocative accusations against Russia coming out from Britain alleging that our residence at Seacox Heath is being used by Moscow for espionage.

I want to note that such statements from British authorities are not new, baseless and typical, especially for periods of heightened tensions between Russia and the UK.

The Russian Embassy categorically rejects slanderous allegations spread by British media that residential compounds belonging to Russia have ever been used for anything but diplomatic purposes.

Tellingly, while falsely accusing the Embassy of launching drones from the residence at Seacox Heath, the relevant article features a photo of the same residence, taken from a hovering drone in clear violation of the rules and customs of diplomatic immunity. Obviously, we do not expect that this breach of convention will ever be investigated.

❗Such crude incitement of anti-Russian hysteria is deplorable and serves to further confirm the cozy relationship between some media outlets and the UK government.

Maria ZaKharova on London's restrictive measures targeting Russian diplomatic missions in the UK:

This time, London has opted to employ blatant lies to justify the anti-Russian measures announced on May 8, including the expulsion of the military attache at Russia’s embassy to London and to removal of diplomatic status from some real estate belonging to us under the pretext of a certain "Russian trace" in the fire at commercial warehouses on the outskirts of the British capital. What is more, all this without presenting any documents or tangible facts.

We have to state that not only does the UK government intend to abandon its policy of provoking Russia, but it also exerts substantial efforts to raise the degree of confrontation.

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On 8 May London announced new restrictive measures that drastically impede the functioning of Russian diplomatic missions in the United Kingdom, including interrupting communication channels.

As has often been the case, the new measures were introduced under a groundless and somewhat ridiculous pretext (in this case - a fire at a warehouse in east London), which is being twisted to invent yet another espionage story.

Meanwhile notable signs pointing to the preparation of these hostile steps appeared about six months ago. Since then a smear campaign to accuse us of absolutely every conceivable sin has been advanced with increasing intensity.

It is deeply regrettable that at times of acute international tensions, when dialogue is of particular importance to prevent further escalation, London continues to demonstrate belligerence and undermine remaining ties.

❗These measures will inevitably be met with an adequate response from the Russian side.

➡️Russian Embassy comment

⚔️ The Battle of Stalingrad (July 17, 1942—February 2, 1943) was one of the most important battles in military history, and a true turning point in World War II. The resilience, courage and heart-wrenching personal stories that emerged from the Battle continue to resonate with Russian youth, inspiring a sense of pride and gratitude for Soviet heroes who fiercely fought to save our Fatherland from the Nazi Germany's invaders.

🎥 To commemorate the heroism and selflessness of Stalingrad's defenders Russian youth and MGIMO University students, members of the patriotic project "From Heart to Heart", made a documentary "Immortal Stalingrad", featuring a brief historical account of the Battle, examples of exploits of the Soviet soldiers and personal stories of the survivors of those tragic and heroic days.