🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s answers to questions during a special session of a large MGIMO discussion programme combined with the 7th Global Forum of Young Diplomats, Russia and Its Role in Shaping a Multipolar World (Sochi, March 4, 2024)

🔹 Western priorities in relations with Russia
🔹 The modern concept of multipolarity
🔹 The role of the UN in international relations
🔹 EU plans to interfere in the Russian presidential election
🔹 Fighting the politicisation of sport
🔹 Russia's relations with its closest partners
🔹 Russia-US relations


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#CrimeanBridge

What is interesting are the words said by Western figures, including the response of German politicians when the truth about the recording of conversations between German generals was revealed. Some of them are concerned there was a leak from a secure line. The fact that German weapons and the personnel servicing them are going to be used to attack the Russian Federation, including the Crimean Bridge and ammo depots, is not surprising. They wonder why the secure line turned out to be not so secure. This says a lot.

#Election2024

We have accumulated a lot of evidence on how the EU embassies in Moscow are preparing for our presidential elections. I am referring to interference mechanisms, certain “supporting projects” for the non-systemic opposition – in short, things that embassies have no right to address.

#RussiaUS

The Americans approach us every now and then. They have asked us not to deploy weapons in space. They have asked for a meeting. As if nothing happened. They say they must defeat us on the battlefield in Ukraine but other than that, let’s discuss strategic issues. President Vladimir Putin said that they are not serious and it goes against the natural course of things.

📰 Aide to the President of Russia for Foreign Policy Yuri Ushakov's interview with TASS (March 5, 2024)

Key talking points:

💬 Cooperation within #BRICS is undoubtedly one of the key features of Russia's long-term foreign policy.

• Russia, as the current president of the organization, has a special responsibility to ensure the fastest and smoothest integration of the new members into the operation of all BRICS mechanisms. This is undoubtedly a cornerstone and high priority task of our Presidency.

• In the relatively short period of its existence, the BRICS association has rapidly developed and transformed into an extensive multi-level mechanism of interaction on a wide range of issues on the global agenda.

🌐 Many perceive BRICS as a prototype of multipolarity, a structure uniting the Global South and East on the principles of equality, sovereignty and mutual respect.

• Support for the principles of multipolarity and a greater role of developing countries in global governance, as well as the fundamental values of the BRICS group, such as the spirit of equality, mutual respect, openness, inclusiveness and constructive cooperation, is an indispensable condition [for joining BRICS].

• We see increasing the role of BRICS counties in the international currency and financial system as a specific task for this year. <...> We believe that creating an independent BRICS payment system is an important goal for the future.

• There has never been a military aspect to cooperation within our group. <...> BRICS does not have plans to build such cooperation, including military drills.

☝️ Russia has never set BRICS in opposition to other international platforms, be it the Group of 20 or the Group of Seven. We believe that the association is unique.

• The recipe for BRICS’ attractiveness and success is based on the absence of a confrontational or “hidden” agenda. I will repeat that it brings together like-minded countries.

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💐 Smiles and flowers can make a woman's heart shine brightest!

◾ Who knows, it might even work on the heartless...

🎉 Happy International Women's Day!

#IWD2024

• The boy on the photo was born to a humble family of Soviet workers exactly 90 years ago.

• His life journey made him a pioneer of space exploration, a legend to inspire all the people on Earth.

• His achievements stand not only as a testament to the genius of Soviet science, but also as a perfect example that people can accomplish anything.

• His name will be remembered for as long as humanity exists.

🚀 His name is Yuri Gagarin.

#Gagarin90

⚡️ On a demarche to the Ambassador of Switzerland to Russia

🗓 On March 12, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Russia Krystyna Marty Lang was summoned to the Foreign Ministry, where a protest was lodged concerning the Swiss Parliament’s decision to initiate a process of devising the legal framework enabling the confiscation of state assets of the Russian Federation on the territory of the Swiss Confederation.

It was emphasised that Russia strongly condemned this action by the Swiss authorities, which flagrantly violates the fundamental principles and norms of international law regarding state immunity. Any attempt to seize Russian state property under the pretext of a far-fetched “reparations mechanism” would amount to nothing less than state-level theft.

☝️ Furthermore, it was noted that if Bern were to carry out such plans, the Russian side would undoubtedly take retaliatory measures.

🎙 Interview of Russia's President Vladimir Putin to TV host and Rossiya Segodnya Director General Dmitry Kiselev (March 13, 2024):

Key talking points

💬 Russia is not at the crossroads. It is on the strategic path of its development and will not deviate from its path.

#MultipolarWorld

• Many people in the world are looking at us, at what is happening in our country and in our struggle for our interests. <...> They associate our struggle for our independence and true sovereignty with their aspirations for their own sovereignty and independent development.

• This is aggravated by the fact that there is a very strong desire in Western elites to freeze the current unjust state of affairs in international affairs. They've spent centuries filling their bellies with human flesh and their pockets with money. But they must realise that the vampire ball is ending.

#Ukraine

• Are we ready to negotiate? We are. But we are not ready for talks that are based on some kind of ”wishful thinking“, but we are ready for talks based on the realities that have developed on the ground.

• We are open to a serious discussion, and we are eager to resolve all conflicts by peaceful means. However, we must be sure that this is not just another pause that the enemy wants to use for rearmament, but rather a serious conversation with security guarantees for Russia.

#US #RussiaUS

• We know what it is to have American troops on Russian soil. They are interventionists. That is how we will treat them even if they appear in the territory of Ukraine.

• I have said many times that it [achieving the goals of the special military operation & resolving the conflict] is a matter of life and death for us, while for them it is a matter of improving their tactical position in the world on the whole as well as maintaining their status among their allies in Europe in particular.

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🪆 In other news, Maslenitsa is currently being celebrated all across Russia and beyond!

🌞 This ancient holiday, predating Russia's adoption of Christianity, originally honored the pagan Sun god Yarilo, marking the end of winter and heralding the beginning of spring. Later on, Maslenitsa was adapted to the Christian calendar, serving as the festive week preceding the Orthodox Great Lent.

🥞 Today, many Russians celebrate Maslenitsa on a grand scale, just like in the old days, with mass folk festivals, entertainment and games. The holiday is synonymous with "blini" or Russian pancakes (round and yellow, just like the Sun), which are being served in abundant quantities throughout the week in every household and at all festive events.

🇷🇺 Maslenitsa's traditions reflect Russia's rich cultural and religious history. They help people connect with their heritage and one another, fostering a sense of community and continuity that transcends generations.

* The attached video showcases the Maslenitsa festivities currently taking place at the "RUSSIA EXPO" in Moscow.

🇷🇺 #OnThisDay, 🔟 years ago, day to day, the all-Crimean Referendum was held.

On March 16, 2014, the people of the peninsula made an independent and conscious choice, voting in favour of forever being with Russia. To this day it remains one of the most striking and sincere examples of a true triumph of the will of the people and democracy.

🗳 At the referendum, 96.77% of Crimeans voted for reunification with Russia, the turnout was 83.1%. In Sevastopol, the relevant figures were 95.6% and 89.5%, respectively.

The voting was monitored by 135 international observers from 23 countries and 1,240 representatives of local organisations. All noted that the referendum was held without violations and in full conformity with international standards and democratic procedure.

Based on the results of the free expression of will by Crimeans, a treaty was signed on the incorporation of the two new regions into the Russian Federation – the Republic of Crimea and the City of Federal Significance, Sevastopol.

💬 President Putin: In people’s hearts and minds, Crimea has always been an inseparable part of Russia. This firm conviction is based on truth and justice and was passed from generation to generation (from the Address by the President of the Russian Federation on March 18, 2014).

Since the reunification, Crimea has undergone fundamental changes, becoming one of the most dynamically developing regions in the country and the entire continent. The atmosphere of interreligious accord has been maintained on the peninsula, and the rights of all of its ethnic groups are observed without exception.

✅ The processes that have occurred during the last ten years, steady socio-economic development and enduring peace in the multi-ethnic Crimea confirm that the people of this region were correct when making the historic choice in favour of reunification with Russia.

#CrimeaIsRussia #TogetherForever