🇷🇺🇨🇺 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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✍️ 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.

***

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.

⚡️ Comment by Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the Kiev regime’s attempts to disrupt celebrations of the 10th Anniversary of Republic Day in the DPR and LPR (May 11, 2024).

💬 May 11 marked 10 years since the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) held a historic referendum on their future. The majority of voters in the then Donetsk and Lugansk regions of Ukraine chose self-determination, unwilling to accept the nationalist policy of the Kiev regime that had come to power through an unconstitutional armed coup d’etat. Sovereignty was approved by 96.2 percent of referendum participants in the LPR and 89.7 percent in the DPR. As a result, May 11 became Republic Day for the DPR, and May 12 for the LPR.

These referendums have always evoked impotent consternation and rage in Ukraine, whose current rulers fear the voice of the people like the plague. Therefore, the Ukrainian Banderites, aided by the United States and the US-led Western coalition, had cynically timed a series of barbaric terrorist attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure to coincide with the anniversary celebrations in the Russian Donbass republics.

• Late at night on May 10, the Armed Forces of Ukraine fired rockets at Rovenki in the LPR. According to preliminary data, the Ukrainians used a number of recently delivered US ATACMS long-range missiles that hit an oil storage facility, causing a large-scale fire. The strike damaged nearby residential houses and injured a child, among others.

• On May 11, the anniversary of the DPR, the Ukrainian neo-Nazis fired rockets from US-supplied HIMARS launchers at the city of Donetsk. A direct hit at the Paradise restaurant in the Kirov District killed three and wounded eight people, including a 12-year-old girl.

• There were also strikes in other parts of the city, with missiles exploding near the recently opened perinatal centre and a café with a parking lot where participants in the motor rally in honour of Republic Day had arranged to meet. Thankfully, none of them were harmed.

The Investigative Committee of Russia has launched an investigation into these crimes. All those implicated in and responsible for these and other terrorist attacks in Russia will face inevitable punishment.

We admire the courage and fortitude of the people of Russia's Donetsk and Lugansk republics, whose spirit could not be broken by the Ukrainian Nazis currently entrenched in Kiev.

Today, the DPR and the LPR are inalienable parts of the Russian Federation, our common homeland.

A large-scale effort to restore the war-torn economy is underway in the republics, with support from the entire nation. Much-needed programmes are being implemented to strengthen the economy and the social sphere, and improve living standards.
❗️ We are confident that the Zelensky regime will achieve nothing, no matter what it attempts in its impotent rage to prevent us from restoring historical justice. Together, we will bring back the long-awaited peace and solve the most challenging problems. Victory will be ours!

⚡️ Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the statements by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk

💬 We have took note of the press release of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) published on May 7 with the assessments of its head Volker Türk regarding the situation of journalists in Russia. The High Commissioner’s activity has long lacked objectivity and impartiality required by UN General Assembly Resolution 48/141, however this time the degree of his statements’ political bias is really outrageous and inappropriately arrogant.

In defiance of his mandate Volker Türk allowed himself utterly politicized, biased and lopsided interpretations of the situation in the media pluralism and free access to information in our country, and did not shy away from gross distortions, misrepresentations and unsubstantiated accusations. In his ill-concealed desire to follow in the wake of the Collective West’s anti-Russian rhetoric that international official broke out with a libel that has nothing to do with the real situation.

And at that the High Commissioner has never showed such zeal in dealing with mass evidence of oppressions against Russian and Russian-language media in the West, reprisals against undesirable reporters in the Baltic countries and Moldova, cruel crimes and terrorist acts by Kiev regime against Russian journalists, public figures and publicists.

We have yet to see a substantive response to any of our numerous appeals to Volker Türk regarding these gross violations, which just fuel our suspicions about the bias of his conduct and complete loss of basic ideas of good faith in implementing his mandate as the above UN General Assembly resolution requires.

❗️ We reject point blank the High Commissioner’s statements both in form and in substance. We insist on his strict compliance with all the requirements for an international official of such level, primarily in terms of impartiality and objectivity. We are calling on him to appropriately respond to all crimes and violations with respect to media and journalists regularly reported to him, including by the Russian side.

🎙️ Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s answer to a question during his remarks at the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation (Moscow, May 13, 2024)

❓ Question: Is the conference on Ukrainian issue convened by the West in Switzerland this June a potential threat to Russia’s foreign policy interests? What are our plans of opposing and counteracting the destructive plots of the Kiev regime and its foreign supervisors?

💬 Sergey Lavrov: The “conference” has long been discussed by all those, who is trying to defeat Russia on the battlefield, without rejecting diplomatic methods, as they say. However, their diplomatic methods (the conference in Switzerland is not an exception but just a continuation of the process in Copenhagen format) boil down to formulating an ultimatum to Russia. <…>

The other day [Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Head] Ignazio Cassis said again that it was senseless to discuss anything without Russia. Why to convene it then? <...>

There were a lot of initiatives: offered by China, South Africa, Brazil and the League of the Arab States (who came to us soon after the beginning of the special military operation). The Chinese one was most comprehensive, aimed at first considering the root causes and working on their removal. The other had an emphasis on humanitarian aspects (exchange of POWs, bodies, access for humanitarian organisations). Yet High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said that they were getting ready for a conference in Geneva on the Zelensky formula and all other initiative vanished. He decided for everyone else again. <...>

❗️ Our readiness for talks is reaffirmed at the top level personally by President of Russia Vladimir Putin each time he deals with the Ukraine issue.

<...>

Our cause is just. If they want it on the battlefield then it will be so. Look how they are lamenting over a steady and extensive advance of our Armed Forces.

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🤝 On May 13, Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Vice-Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya Abdullah al-Lafi and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Government of National Unity of Libya Taher al-Baour, who arrived in Moscow on a working visit.

• During an in-depth exchange of views on the situation in Libya, Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to continue supporting the country’s comprehensive and sustainable stabilisation.

• He stressed the importance of inclusive national dialogue to preserve Libya’s territorial integrity, unity, and sovereignty.

• He also pointed to the relevance of efforts to rally international support for the Libyan people in advancing the political process, with the United Nations playing the leading role.

🤝 The parties stated their shared interest in establishing and strengthening a mutually beneficial, multifaceted cooperation. In this connection, it was considered appropriate to facilitate the early resumption of activities of the Russian-Libyan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, which serves as the key coordinating mechanism for bilateral collaboration in trade and the economy.

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On the same day, Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov held inter-agency consultations with the Libyan delegation, focusing on developments in Libya, the Middle East and North Africa.

#RussiaLibya