🎙 Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s comment regarding Kiev regime’s terrorist attacks on Russian regions

💬 On May 16 and 17, the Kiev neo-Nazi regime used fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned speedboats to launch another massive attack on Crimea, the Krasnodar Territory and other Russian regions. Russian air defence forces destroyed and intercepted more than 100 UAVs (51 over the Crimean Peninsula, 44 over the Krasnodar Territory, six over the Belgorod Region, and one over the Kursk Region). The Black Sea Fleet naval aviation and patrol boats destroyed six unmanned speedboats.

Earlier this week, Russian Defence Ministry reported the destruction of 20 US-made ATACMS operational-tactical missiles, over 130 missiles, including US-made HIMARS and Czech-made Vampire, over 20 French-made Hammer guided bombs, and four British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles.

These barbaric attacks with the use of Western-made weapons are clearly backed by the US and British curators overseeing Zelensky’s regime. They go beyond supplying it with ever longer-range missiles and heavy weapons and now authorise their use against Russia, further escalating the conflict. This Banderite clique seems to have come to believe in its own impunity amid the Western emissaries’ frequent visits to Kiev lately.

❗️ Once again, we would like to issue a stark warning to Washington, London, Brussels and other Western capitals, as well as Kiev which is controlled by them, that they are playing with fire.

Russia will not leave unanswered these acts of aggression against its territory.

🎙️Интервью Посла России в Великобритании А.В.Келина телеканалу «Россия 24», 17 мая 2024 года

💬Ключевые тезисы:

▪︎Великобритания оборвала важнейший канал военно-дипломатического диалога и снижения риска непреднамеренной эскалации, когда выслала российского военного атташе. Разумеется, Лондон сознавал неизбежную в такой ситуации «зеркальную» меру в отношении представителя британских вооруженных сил в Москве. В целом этот поступок выглядит довольно глупо.

▪︎Лондон давно выдал согласие на стрельбу по тем регионам, которые британские политики, вопреки реалиям, считают территорией Украины. В том числе по Крыму. Великобритания де-факто участвует в Украинском конфликте, предоставляя высокоточное оружие ВСУ. Это так называемая прокси-война.

▪︎Лондон с самого начала нашей СВО признавал присутствие на Украине ограниченного контингента спецназа. Британцы предоставляют ВСУ данные воздушной и космической разведки в реальном масштабе времени. Известно также о работе их подводных специалистов, помогающих направить морские дроны на Крым.

▪︎Увеличение британской военной поддержки Украины во многом было призвано продемонстрировать зарубежным партнерам, прежде всего США, готовность Великобритании наращивать расходы. Кроме того, было призвано надавить на политических оппонентов консерваторов – Лейбористскую партию.

▪︎Правительство Р.Сунака провалило свои обещания по всем направлениям социально-экономического положения страны. И теперь, как за спасательный круг ухватились за последнее средство – запугивание населения внешней угрозой.

▪︎Британия упорно стремится закрепить за собой реноме лидера в сфере кибербезопасности. В отсутствие конкретных достижений подкрепляет свои претензии голословными обвинениями в хакерских атаках в адрес нашего государства, либо Китая.

▪︎Репутация «тихой гавани» для разного рода нечистоплотных дельцов закрепилась за Британией давно. Сюда нередко бегут от правосудия не только мошенники, но порой и лица, подозреваемые в особо тяжких преступлениях.

➡️Смотреть интервью

🎙️Russian Ambassador Andrei Kelin on the expulsion of the Russian Military Attache

Even among British experts, known for their Russophobic rhetoric, the UK Government’s decision to expel the Military Attache of the Russian Embassy in London is viewed as a strategic blunder.

▪︎This unfriendly move was enacted under a groundless and ridiculous pretext. In this particular case – a fire at a warehouse somewhere in East London. A fake story was quickly made up to put blame on Russia. More broadly – to demonstrate an imaginary success in confronting the fictional threat from Russia.

ℹ️Direct military contacts between our countries were established in 1934. It is largely via these channels that in 1941 the USSR and the UK agreed to embark upon the alliance against Nazi Germany.

☝️Needless to say, even among British experts, known for their Russophobic rhetoric, the UK Government’s decision to expel the Military Attache of the Russian Embassy in London is viewed as a strategic blunder. It is argued that such a move hardly benefits Britain, given the ongoing escalation of military-political tensions [in Europe]. It undermines a substantial channel of military-diplomatic communication, which reduced the risk of inadvertent escalation between our countries.

❗Obviously, London was aware that a reciprocal measure would inevitably be applied to the UK Defence Attache in Moscow. Overall, it was not a smart thing to have done.

#Russia #UK #Kelin

🎙 Russia's President Vladimir Putin replied to questions from Russian media representatives on the outcomes of his two-day state visit to the People’s Republic of China (May 17, 2024)

Key talking points:

💬 The fact that the future depends on Russia & China is only partly true. The future of humankind depends on the whole of humanity. Certainly, Russia & China are important components of modern civilisation. We have our own views on how we should develop. <...>

We believe that development should be constructive & peaceful, no doubt about it. Apart from our interests, it should heed the interests of all parties to international interaction.

• Of course, it is necessary to strengthen the emerging multipolar world. There is absolutely no doubt that a new world is taking shape before our eyes and becoming multipolar.

• Of course, we are analysing now everything that is taking place in this regard [the Ukrainian crisis]. Of course, we are looking at what is happening around the universally announced meeting in Switzerland, in Geneva. I believe this is the venue of the meeting. We are certainly not going to discuss any formulas about which we know absolutely nothing.

But as distinct from Ukraine, we have never rejected talks.

The goal of this event [in Geneva] is clear. They want to gather as many countries as possible, declare that everything has been agreed upon with everyone and then present it to Russia as a resolved issue, as an ultimatum. This will never happen.

• Sanctions imposed on third countries engaged in economic activities are doubly or triply illegitimate because sanctions are absolutely illegitimate when adopted without the approval of the UN Security Council.

• By undermining trust in the dollar for political reasons, the US authorities are weakening the main, the most powerful & important instrument of their might – the dollar itself. They are doing irreparable damage to themselves. Using one of popular sayings, they are quarrelling with their own bread & butter.

Read in full

#RussiaChina

⚡️ Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova:

💬 We are closely monitoring the latest updates regarding the passengers of the third helicopter, which was carrying high-ranking Iranian officials, including President Ebrahim Raisi.

We hope they are alive, and that their lives and health are not in danger.

Russia is ready to offer the necessary assistance in the search for the missing helicopter and in investigating the causes of the accident.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s condolences to the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran

💬 We are deeply saddened by the news of the tragic death in the helicopter crash of President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and those who accompanied them.

▪️ We will always remember these outstanding political figures as genuine patriots of the Islamic Republic, who firmly upheld the interests of their country and gave their lives in selfless service to their Motherland. President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian were known in Russia as real and reliable friends of our country. Their role in strengthening beneficial Russian-Iranian cooperation and trust-based partnership is invaluable.

🕯 We offer all those near and dear to the victims and the entire friendly people of Iran our sincere condolences. Our thoughts and hearts are with you in this hour of grief.

SERGEY LAVROV

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s answer to a question from the Moscow. Kremlin. Putin programme (Moscow, May 19, 2024)

💬 Sergey Lavrov: It’s high time for the Kiev regime to accept the reality “on the ground”. I hope that this message, which has been repeated many times, will be heeded and that the West will understand that it’s time to stop sacrificing Ukraine for its absolutely hopeless goals.

❓ Question: President of France Emmanuel Macron made a surprising statement, saying that he's afraid that if Russia wins then the Russian military infrastructure will be closer to Europe and Russian missiles will be closer to Europe. However, President Vladimir Putin has been saying for 20 years that Western infrastructure is approaching us. And the West has told us not to worry and relax. What would you advise the West to do now?

Sergey Lavrov: Let them relax too, if they can. We know very well what we are capable of, including in terms of all possible scenarios for the further development of the situation in Ukraine.

🇷🇺🇨🇳 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hold a meeting ahead of the SCO Foreign Ministers Council meeting.

📍 Astana, May 20

#RussiaChina

🇷🇺🇮🇷📞 Russia’s President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Acting President of Iran Mohammad Mokhber.

The President of Russia offered his deepest condolences to Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mohammad Mokhber and the entire Iranian people on the tragic death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and a number of other government officials as a result of a helicopter crash. Vladimir Putin stressed that he knew well and appreciated Ebrahim Raisi as a reliable partner who made an invaluable personal contribution to the development of friendly relations between Russia and Iran.

Mohammad Mokhber expressed sincere gratitude for the words of sympathy and support during this difficult time for the country. Both sides emphasised their mutual desire to further consistently strengthen comprehensive Russian-Iranian interaction for the benefit of the two countries.

#RussiaIran

✍️ Russia's President Vladimir Putin sent a message of gratitude to President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, thanking him for the warm welcome and hospitality.

✉️ I would like to express my cordial appreciation for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to me and the Russian delegation during our state visit to the People's Republic of China. This visit left me with genuinely lively and unforgettable impressions.

I am certain that our substantive talks will promote further relations of all-round partnership and strategic interaction between Moscow and Beijing.

I will be glad to continue our constructive and comradely dialogue and close joint work on current issues on the bilateral, regional and international agendas. Please remember that you are always a welcome and dear guest on the Russian soil.

From the bottom of my heart, I wish you, my dear friend, good health, wellbeing and success in your state activities.

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister - Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu (Astana, May 20, 2024)

💬 Thank you for this opportunity to hold bilateral contacts on the sidelines of the upcoming SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting. These contacts make it possible to coordinate our positions and to see how agreements reached by President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev are being implemented, and to find out what else we should do in order to obtain the most effective results that would meet the interests of both countries.

The Ppresidents maintain regular contact, and they have met two times already. They will hold at least as many contacts in the next few months during #CSTO, #SCO and other events.

Our Prime Ministers are set to meet in late May. National foreign ministries have also established close contacts, and a schedule of mutual consultations is available. This amounts to effective and useful interaction. We hope that heads of foreign policy planning departments and information and press departments will hold consultations in the near future.

🤝 We have a rich agenda that recently included cooperation to cope with emergencies caused by floods. We provide mutual support to one another.

Other achievements include the important launch of activities of a joint working group to build Russian-Kazakhstani schools in both countries. Our Presidents discussed this issue during their telephone conversation on May 18.

We continue to improve the contractual and legal framework. About ten interdepartmental documents are currently being drawn up.

📄 Today, we will sign a protocol to an intergovernmental agreement that will make it possible to open a Russian consulate general in Aktau.

Life goes on. It is important that, as I hope, our work is making the life of our citizens on either sides of the border more eventful, interesting and comfortable.

#RussiaKazakhstan

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks during a meeting with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (Astana, May 20, 2024)

💬 Thank you for setting aside the time for this meeting and the opportunity to meet with you. On May 18, you had a telephone conversation with President Vladimir Putin. He conveys his warmest regards and best wishes on the occasion of your birthday. You maintain close communication.

You have already met in person twice this year (in addition to telephone conversations). Meetings are scheduled to be held as part of #SCO and #CSTO in Kazakhstan. We are also preparing for #BRICS summit in Kazan in October and hope that Astana will accept our invitation to participate in the events for the partner countries.

Our respective Prime Ministers maintain regular contacts and will soon meet in Ashgabat at #CIS Council of Heads of Government. Today, I have held talks with Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu, both one-on-one and as part of broader talks with the delegations’ participation. Our Foreign Ministries are consistently working to implement the agreements reached between you and President Putin, including the Joint Statement adopted in 2023 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Treaty of Neighbourliness and Alliance in the 21st century.

🤝 We have a Joint Action Plan for 2024-2026, which fills our relations substantively. We noted the leaders’ commitment to implementing other projects that will make the lives of our people more comfortable and our interactions easier. This is an important area as well.

We appreciate our economic and financial relations and look forward to the entire range of our ties that cover almost all areas of human activity continuing to expand steadily.

🗓 On May 20, 1942, the Red Army concluded the Kerch operation, the largest landing op on the Eastern Front.

In late December 1941, the Soviet forces liberated Kerch and Feodosia. The Headquarters of the Supreme High Command also planned to aid Sevastopol, surrounded by German and Romanian troops.

Successful ops on the Transcaucasian Front and the Black Sea Navy's efforts in Crimea forced the German command to urgently transfer troops from near Sevastopol to meet the advancing Red Army.

⚔️ Soviet soldiers and sailors’ heroism and selflessness allowed to thwart the Nazis’ plans to immediately capture Taman and advance to the Caucasus.

The Kerch landing operation showcased that the Red Army's ability to successfully carry out offensive operations in difficult conditions. The experience of the operation was generalised, analysed, and used in subsequent battles of the Great Patriotic War.

🌟 On May 12, 1944, during the Crimean offensive operation, the Red Army completely liberated Crimea from the Nazi invaders.

#Victory79

Maria Zakharova on the latest London High Court ruling in the Assange case:

It is difficult to qualify the ongoing persecution of Julian Assange as a decision in his favour.