In response to 🇨🇦 GAC's post:
Colleagues, there’s a typo in your video: it’s nazism that 🇷🇺 aims to erase in 🇺🇦. Swastikas, SS bolts, etc. ≠ “culture”.
What you’re describing lies heavy on the conscience of 🇨🇦 & other Western governments that support the Kiev neo-Nazi regime & its crimes.
P.S.: You’re welcome.
Colleagues, there’s a typo in your video: it’s nazism that 🇷🇺 aims to erase in 🇺🇦. Swastikas, SS bolts, etc. ≠ “culture”.
What you’re describing lies heavy on the conscience of 🇨🇦 & other Western governments that support the Kiev neo-Nazi regime & its crimes.
P.S.: You’re welcome.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Excerpts from President Vladimir Putin's answers to questions from journalists and the people of Russia during the programme Results of the Year (December 14, 2023)
Talking points:
• Many European leaders pretend to emulate [tough stance of] General de Gaulle, who fought for France's interests, but in reality, they [succumbed to the US] are like Marshal Petain, who became submitted to the will of the invaders during World War II.
Almost everyone [in the EU] acts in this fashion, except Fico, Orbán. They aren't pro-Russian politicians, they're pro-national, protect their states' interests. Such people [like de Gaulle] are no more. This is due to dependence on Big Brother - US.
• Fundamental conditions to restore comprehensive [Russia-US] relations will be created when Washington starts respecting other peoples, other nations, seeking compromise, and stops trying to resolve their issues through sanctions and military actions.
• We and Turkey proceed from the fact that UN decisions on the establishment of a Palestinian state with capital in East Jerusalem must be implemented. It is extremely important. We need to create the fundamentals for an Israeli-Palestinian settlement.
• Everything that IOC's officials are doing with regard to Russian sport is a full perversion of Pierre de Coubertin's concepts. The Olympic Movement was created to bring people together.
• As regards the [Western] "rules-based order" — no such rules exist. [The West] changes them in favour of it own interests. Thankfully, enough nations want to live by the rules set out in fundamental international documents.
#Outcomes2023
Talking points:
• Many European leaders pretend to emulate [tough stance of] General de Gaulle, who fought for France's interests, but in reality, they [succumbed to the US] are like Marshal Petain, who became submitted to the will of the invaders during World War II.
Almost everyone [in the EU] acts in this fashion, except Fico, Orbán. They aren't pro-Russian politicians, they're pro-national, protect their states' interests. Such people [like de Gaulle] are no more. This is due to dependence on Big Brother - US.
• Fundamental conditions to restore comprehensive [Russia-US] relations will be created when Washington starts respecting other peoples, other nations, seeking compromise, and stops trying to resolve their issues through sanctions and military actions.
• We and Turkey proceed from the fact that UN decisions on the establishment of a Palestinian state with capital in East Jerusalem must be implemented. It is extremely important. We need to create the fundamentals for an Israeli-Palestinian settlement.
• Everything that IOC's officials are doing with regard to Russian sport is a full perversion of Pierre de Coubertin's concepts. The Olympic Movement was created to bring people together.
• As regards the [Western] "rules-based order" — no such rules exist. [The West] changes them in favour of it own interests. Thankfully, enough nations want to live by the rules set out in fundamental international documents.
#Outcomes2023
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Excerpts from President Vladimir Putin's answers to questions from journalists and the people of Russia during the programme Results of the Year (December 14, 2023)
Talking points:
🇷🇺🇨🇳 Russian-Chinese relations are one of the essential guarantees of stability in the world. We see Western attempts to shift NATO's activities towards Asia, which goes beyond the organization's statutory goals.
Russia and China don’t create any blocs. Our friendship is aimed at benefiting ourselves, but not directed against third countries. The West is trying to be friends against someone. We are monitoring this closely, will respond jointly, promptly and effectively.
• Russia [and its partners] develops its integration projects solely on the basis of the principles of free will and mutual benefit for all participants. This creates conditions that increase our competitiveness in the global markets.
• If Moldova does not want to be a member [of the CIS], it is the decision of the Moldovan leadership. Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe. Until recently it was the poorest. Now Ukraine has taken that "honorable" place.
Talking points:
🇷🇺🇨🇳 Russian-Chinese relations are one of the essential guarantees of stability in the world. We see Western attempts to shift NATO's activities towards Asia, which goes beyond the organization's statutory goals.
Russia and China don’t create any blocs. Our friendship is aimed at benefiting ourselves, but not directed against third countries. The West is trying to be friends against someone. We are monitoring this closely, will respond jointly, promptly and effectively.
• Russia [and its partners] develops its integration projects solely on the basis of the principles of free will and mutual benefit for all participants. This creates conditions that increase our competitiveness in the global markets.
• If Moldova does not want to be a member [of the CIS], it is the decision of the Moldovan leadership. Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe. Until recently it was the poorest. Now Ukraine has taken that "honorable" place.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 FM Sergey Lavrov’s remarks and answers to questions during the Government Hour in the Federation Council of the Russian Federation (December 13, 2023)
Key talking points:
• The world situation has not become any easier since our last meeting in December 2021. Many of the unfortunate things that are happening today are rooted in the irrepressible striving of Washington and a small group of its associates to impose their vision of everything on the rest of the world.
• They are no longer able to contain new global centres of growth and development in their customary straightforward and rude manner. The balance of power is rapidly shifting and not in favour of our Western colleagues.
• It pains our ill-wishers to realise that their bet on a sanctions blitzkrieg on the Russian economy has completely failed. Those who unleashed a hybrid war against us refuse to admit their mistakes and are trying to use other illegal tools to “exhaust” Russia, nurturing the dream of eliminating our country as an independent geopolitical entity.
• The policy of isolating Russia has failed. Numerous contacts between President Putin and his foreign counterparts have shown that our responsible policy based on the UN Charter principles enjoys broad support among the majority of countries around the world.
• We are not accommodating concepts and schemes put forward by other countries. We independently shape our foreign policy and remain guided by our own priorities while adhering to internationally recognised norms of international law and given the interests of our partners who are willing to work with us based on mutual respect and consideration of mutual interests.
• The Western part of the Eurasian continent is sinking deeper into a political, socio-economic and ideological crisis against the backdrop of the positive trends that reflect the objective process of the formation of a genuinely polycentric, fair world order.
• Further cohesion in the multiethnic and multifaith Russian World is also on our agenda.
📄 Read in full
Key talking points:
• The world situation has not become any easier since our last meeting in December 2021. Many of the unfortunate things that are happening today are rooted in the irrepressible striving of Washington and a small group of its associates to impose their vision of everything on the rest of the world.
• They are no longer able to contain new global centres of growth and development in their customary straightforward and rude manner. The balance of power is rapidly shifting and not in favour of our Western colleagues.
• It pains our ill-wishers to realise that their bet on a sanctions blitzkrieg on the Russian economy has completely failed. Those who unleashed a hybrid war against us refuse to admit their mistakes and are trying to use other illegal tools to “exhaust” Russia, nurturing the dream of eliminating our country as an independent geopolitical entity.
• The policy of isolating Russia has failed. Numerous contacts between President Putin and his foreign counterparts have shown that our responsible policy based on the UN Charter principles enjoys broad support among the majority of countries around the world.
• We are not accommodating concepts and schemes put forward by other countries. We independently shape our foreign policy and remain guided by our own priorities while adhering to internationally recognised norms of international law and given the interests of our partners who are willing to work with us based on mutual respect and consideration of mutual interests.
• The Western part of the Eurasian continent is sinking deeper into a political, socio-economic and ideological crisis against the backdrop of the positive trends that reflect the objective process of the formation of a genuinely polycentric, fair world order.
• Further cohesion in the multiethnic and multifaith Russian World is also on our agenda.
📄 Read in full
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 FM Sergey Lavrov’s answers to questions following the Government Hour in the Federation Council of the Russian Federation (Moscow, December 13, 2023)
❓Russian officials have already cited cases of US attempts to interfere in our presidential elections and predicted that they will become more intense as we approach March 2024. Does Moscow send signals to Washington via diplomatic and other channels that these activities are unacceptable?
💬 We talk about this publicly. Special services are monitoring attempts to interfere illegally in our domestic processes. We have nothing to hide. When we reveal such attempts, we present them to the whole world. There is no need for any diplomatic demarches.
<...>
❓ The UNGA has adopted a humanitarian resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. How far off is a real end to the conflict? Can Russia do something in this respect?
💬 We are doing all we can. We are resolving the immediate tasks of freeing people who were taken hostage or want to leave Gaza, being Russian citizens. This is our priority today.
In parallel, we consider it important to resolve humanitarian problems in a broader, more sustained way. I am referring to the provision of medical and other services, and delivery of humanitarian relief to those who remain in the Gaza Strip and cannot leave it for different reasons.
The third goal is a ceasefire. It is required not only for addressing humanitarian issues but on a permanent basis to deal with a problem that still has not been resolved after 75 years – this is the creation of a Palestinian state.
<...>
The perpetuation of the injustice against the Palestinian people that were solemnly promised a state in 1948 is fertile ground for breeding serious terrorist and extremist sentiment.
🌐 The only way to achieve a fair and permanent solution to this problem is to hold an international conference with the participation of the five permanent members of the UNSC, the Arab League, the OIC and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
📄 Read in full
❓Russian officials have already cited cases of US attempts to interfere in our presidential elections and predicted that they will become more intense as we approach March 2024. Does Moscow send signals to Washington via diplomatic and other channels that these activities are unacceptable?
💬 We talk about this publicly. Special services are monitoring attempts to interfere illegally in our domestic processes. We have nothing to hide. When we reveal such attempts, we present them to the whole world. There is no need for any diplomatic demarches.
<...>
❓ The UNGA has adopted a humanitarian resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. How far off is a real end to the conflict? Can Russia do something in this respect?
💬 We are doing all we can. We are resolving the immediate tasks of freeing people who were taken hostage or want to leave Gaza, being Russian citizens. This is our priority today.
In parallel, we consider it important to resolve humanitarian problems in a broader, more sustained way. I am referring to the provision of medical and other services, and delivery of humanitarian relief to those who remain in the Gaza Strip and cannot leave it for different reasons.
The third goal is a ceasefire. It is required not only for addressing humanitarian issues but on a permanent basis to deal with a problem that still has not been resolved after 75 years – this is the creation of a Palestinian state.
<...>
The perpetuation of the injustice against the Palestinian people that were solemnly promised a state in 1948 is fertile ground for breeding serious terrorist and extremist sentiment.
🌐 The only way to achieve a fair and permanent solution to this problem is to hold an international conference with the participation of the five permanent members of the UNSC, the Arab League, the OIC and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
📄 Read in full
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
⚡️ Joint Statement In Support of the Efforts to Strengthen the United Nations Secretary-General's Mechanism for Investigation of the Alleged Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons (Geneva, 13 December, 2023)
🇻🇪🇧🇫🇪🇷🇮🇷🇰🇬🇨🇳🇧🇾🇰🇿🇲🇱🇳🇮🇲🇲🇹🇯🇬🇶🇷🇺🇸🇾🇨🇫
📃 We, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Kyrgyz Republic, the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Mali, the Republic of Nicaragua, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Russian Federation, the State of Eritrea, the Syrian Arab Republic, reaffirm our dedication to protecting humanity from chemical and biological warfare, recognize the common interest of all humankind in excluding completely the possibility of the use of chemical, bacteriological (biological) and toxin weapons.
We underline that the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (BWC), the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (CWC) and the Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare (Geneva Protocol) are essential for international peace and security.
🇺🇳 We note efforts by the UN Secretary-General and UN Secretariat, as well as national initiatives to provide relevant training to experts that could support the Secretary-General's Mechanism for Investigation of Alleged Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons (UNSGM).
👉 We are convinced that there is need for intensifying efforts of the international community with support of the UN Secretariat to strengthen the expert and technical capabilities of the UNSGM.
Read in full
🇻🇪🇧🇫🇪🇷🇮🇷🇰🇬🇨🇳🇧🇾🇰🇿🇲🇱🇳🇮🇲🇲🇹🇯🇬🇶🇷🇺🇸🇾🇨🇫
📃 We, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Kyrgyz Republic, the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Mali, the Republic of Nicaragua, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Russian Federation, the State of Eritrea, the Syrian Arab Republic, reaffirm our dedication to protecting humanity from chemical and biological warfare, recognize the common interest of all humankind in excluding completely the possibility of the use of chemical, bacteriological (biological) and toxin weapons.
We underline that the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (BWC), the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (CWC) and the Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare (Geneva Protocol) are essential for international peace and security.
🇺🇳 We note efforts by the UN Secretary-General and UN Secretariat, as well as national initiatives to provide relevant training to experts that could support the Secretary-General's Mechanism for Investigation of Alleged Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons (UNSGM).
👉 We are convinced that there is need for intensifying efforts of the international community with support of the UN Secretariat to strengthen the expert and technical capabilities of the UNSGM.
Read in full
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🗓 On December 15, Russia marks the Remembrance Day of Journalists Killed in the Line of Duty.
This memorial day was established in 1991 by the Union of Journalists of Russia.
On this day we pay tribute to the memory of selfless reporters, photographers and cameramen who perished in the line of duty, including in danger zones and hot spots.
💬 Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova:
Few professions entail as many risks to life and well-being as journalism; some reporters never return from their missions. That's why we deeply appreciate the honest and selfless work of journalists and frontline reporters, TV anchors, cameramen, and photographers who willingly immerse themselves in the midst of events to provide their audience with accurate and timely information, offering a full and unbiased picture of what is happening. Often this dedication comes at the ultimate cost – their lives.
This year, it saddens our hearts to re-iterate that Russian journalism has once again suffered irreplaceable losses. Alongside their families, friends & colleagues, we mourn the loss of Vladlen Tatarsky (Maxim Fomin), Rostislav Zhuravlev, and Boris Maksudov, who fell victim to the criminal Kiev regime, its militants and terrorists.
Many others have faced death – they have been targeted or come under fire when the Armed Forces of Ukraine attacked the civilian population and infrastructure with drones and other means.
❗️The Nazi regime in Kiev views Russian frontline reporters as high-priority targets, hunting them down because their reports expose the true brutal nature of the entrenched neo-Nazism and its violent crimes, debunking the myths propagated by Ukrainian and Western propaganda.
I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to all members of the media community who courageously follow their calling, putting themselves at risk day after day to carry out their work faithfully.
🙏🏻 Thank you. You are true heroes.
(from the Maria Zakharova's weekly briefing on foreign policy issues, December 12, 2023)
This memorial day was established in 1991 by the Union of Journalists of Russia.
On this day we pay tribute to the memory of selfless reporters, photographers and cameramen who perished in the line of duty, including in danger zones and hot spots.
💬 Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova:
Few professions entail as many risks to life and well-being as journalism; some reporters never return from their missions. That's why we deeply appreciate the honest and selfless work of journalists and frontline reporters, TV anchors, cameramen, and photographers who willingly immerse themselves in the midst of events to provide their audience with accurate and timely information, offering a full and unbiased picture of what is happening. Often this dedication comes at the ultimate cost – their lives.
This year, it saddens our hearts to re-iterate that Russian journalism has once again suffered irreplaceable losses. Alongside their families, friends & colleagues, we mourn the loss of Vladlen Tatarsky (Maxim Fomin), Rostislav Zhuravlev, and Boris Maksudov, who fell victim to the criminal Kiev regime, its militants and terrorists.
Many others have faced death – they have been targeted or come under fire when the Armed Forces of Ukraine attacked the civilian population and infrastructure with drones and other means.
❗️The Nazi regime in Kiev views Russian frontline reporters as high-priority targets, hunting them down because their reports expose the true brutal nature of the entrenched neo-Nazism and its violent crimes, debunking the myths propagated by Ukrainian and Western propaganda.
I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to all members of the media community who courageously follow their calling, putting themselves at risk day after day to carry out their work faithfully.
🙏🏻 Thank you. You are true heroes.
(from the Maria Zakharova's weekly briefing on foreign policy issues, December 12, 2023)
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
Media is too big
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
#Think4Yourself
❌ The Western officials accuse Russia of committing crimes against Ukrainian children simply for the fact that our country rescued them from constant shelling by the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Nazi battalions.
The evacuation of children from the Donbass orphanages to Russia during the times of danger was carried out with the consent and along with their official guardians. International relevant authorities could at any time check on every Ukrainian child currently staying in Russia. But they won't.
At the same time, high-ranking Western officials show no concern over the crimes committed by the Kiev regime against children, turning a blind eye to all the facts proving that Ukrainian authorities sell children for organs and into sexual slavery.
🎥 Watch the "Ukraine. Children For Sale" documentary and #See4Yourself the extent to which child trafficking is practiced by the Kiev regime under the watch of its Western puppeteers.
❌ The Western officials accuse Russia of committing crimes against Ukrainian children simply for the fact that our country rescued them from constant shelling by the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Nazi battalions.
The evacuation of children from the Donbass orphanages to Russia during the times of danger was carried out with the consent and along with their official guardians. International relevant authorities could at any time check on every Ukrainian child currently staying in Russia. But they won't.
At the same time, high-ranking Western officials show no concern over the crimes committed by the Kiev regime against children, turning a blind eye to all the facts proving that Ukrainian authorities sell children for organs and into sexual slavery.
🎥 Watch the "Ukraine. Children For Sale" documentary and #See4Yourself the extent to which child trafficking is practiced by the Kiev regime under the watch of its Western puppeteers.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🇷🇺🇧🇾 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks at a meeting of the Collegiums of the Foreign Ministries of Russia and Belarus (Moscow, December 15, 2023)
Key talking points:
🤝 The Republic of Belarus is our closest strategic partner and ally. The unique format of joint meetings of the foreign ministry collegiums of the two fraternal nations is a clear confirmation of this.
• The two countries’ foreign ministries are entrusted with providing effective diplomatic support for the broader effort to deepen the integration of the union.
• In accordance with the programmes of concerted action that have been adopted since 1996 and contain guidelines for the two ministries, Russia and Belarus closely coordinate their approaches to the entire foreign policy agenda. They jointly promote common interests on the world stage and support each other in international organisations.
• Today’s agenda is quite full and even innovative in some respects. It is entirely focused on the Global South and the Global East, or the Global Majority. These countries are open to cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit; they do not engage in ultimatums and threats (let alone impose sanctions).
• The current international situation will provide the backdrop for our focus on the prospects of creating a European security system. The recent meeting in North Macedonia has clearly demonstrated that the existing system is in deep crisis.
• The collective West’s actions, including the Ukraine crisis that it provoked, have effectively undermined the entire security architecture in Europe. The West has definitively abandoned the principle of equality and indivisible security. NATO is becoming increasingly active on the Union State’s western borders.
• It is in our mutual interests to establish a strong military and political foundation that would facilitate the resolution and prevention of conflicts and eliminate any possibility of military or other coercive dictates and domination by external players.
📄 Read in full
Key talking points:
🤝 The Republic of Belarus is our closest strategic partner and ally. The unique format of joint meetings of the foreign ministry collegiums of the two fraternal nations is a clear confirmation of this.
• The two countries’ foreign ministries are entrusted with providing effective diplomatic support for the broader effort to deepen the integration of the union.
• In accordance with the programmes of concerted action that have been adopted since 1996 and contain guidelines for the two ministries, Russia and Belarus closely coordinate their approaches to the entire foreign policy agenda. They jointly promote common interests on the world stage and support each other in international organisations.
• Today’s agenda is quite full and even innovative in some respects. It is entirely focused on the Global South and the Global East, or the Global Majority. These countries are open to cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit; they do not engage in ultimatums and threats (let alone impose sanctions).
• The current international situation will provide the backdrop for our focus on the prospects of creating a European security system. The recent meeting in North Macedonia has clearly demonstrated that the existing system is in deep crisis.
• The collective West’s actions, including the Ukraine crisis that it provoked, have effectively undermined the entire security architecture in Europe. The West has definitively abandoned the principle of equality and indivisible security. NATO is becoming increasingly active on the Union State’s western borders.
• It is in our mutual interests to establish a strong military and political foundation that would facilitate the resolution and prevention of conflicts and eliminate any possibility of military or other coercive dictates and domination by external players.
📄 Read in full
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Statement by Konstantin Vorontsov, Head of the Delegation of the Russian Federation, Deputy Director of the Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, at the Meeting of the States Parties to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (Geneva, 13 December 2023)
💬 In the context of fulfilment of obligations under the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), the emergence of facts pertaining to the implementation of a military biological programme in Ukraine with support of the Pentagon and affiliated entities, including private companies, warrants closer attention.
❗️ The analysis of available documents indicates the development of bioweapon components in close proximity to Russian borders.
US reporting, provided annually as part of the BTWC's confidence-building measures, which were developed by States Parties "to prevent or reduce the occurrence of ambiguity, doubt and suspicion", continues to lack information on programmes and projects outside national territory and their funding.
The current situation confirms the need for consolidated efforts by the international community to strengthen the BTWC regime.
☝️ We are convinced of the need for the international community to intensify its efforts to strengthen the expert and technical capacity of the UN Secretary General's Mechanism for Investigation of Alleged Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons (SGM).
***
🇷🇺 The Russian delegation is ready for the closest cooperation with the Ecuadorian Chairmanship and all delegations to achieve concrete practical results. Russia calls for all the interested parties to get together for a creative work for the sake of strengthening the international security in the interests of ensuring arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.
Read in full
💬 In the context of fulfilment of obligations under the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), the emergence of facts pertaining to the implementation of a military biological programme in Ukraine with support of the Pentagon and affiliated entities, including private companies, warrants closer attention.
❗️ The analysis of available documents indicates the development of bioweapon components in close proximity to Russian borders.
US reporting, provided annually as part of the BTWC's confidence-building measures, which were developed by States Parties "to prevent or reduce the occurrence of ambiguity, doubt and suspicion", continues to lack information on programmes and projects outside national territory and their funding.
The current situation confirms the need for consolidated efforts by the international community to strengthen the BTWC regime.
☝️ We are convinced of the need for the international community to intensify its efforts to strengthen the expert and technical capacity of the UN Secretary General's Mechanism for Investigation of Alleged Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons (SGM).
***
🇷🇺 The Russian delegation is ready for the closest cooperation with the Ecuadorian Chairmanship and all delegations to achieve concrete practical results. Russia calls for all the interested parties to get together for a creative work for the sake of strengthening the international security in the interests of ensuring arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.
Read in full
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🇷🇺🇧🇾 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement and answers to media questions at a joint news conference with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus Sergey Aleinik following a meeting of the Foreign Ministry Boards of Russia and Belarus
📍 Moscow, December 15, 2023
Key talking points:
• We have signed a new 2024-2026 programme for coordinated foreign policy actions. It maintains continuity with previous documents and reiterates the priority of diplomatic support for integration processes unfolding within the Union State.
• At the same time, it reflects the need to significantly increase our focus on foreign policy priorities in areas related to the countries of the Global South and the Global East.
• All our agreements have been included in a resolution adopted by the board. This is the second signed document. The third is the Plan for Ministerial Consultations for 2024 which includes 34 rounds.
• Our shared opinion is that today’s decisions will further promote our cooperation and the international standing of the Union State.
• We discussed efforts to strengthen the legal framework for national and collective security. This issue is becoming increasingly urgent.
From the answers to media questions:
💬 We hear the talk that it is time to reduce aid to Ukraine. This is not just talk. It is not easy for both Europe and the US to find free money for the continued support of the Vladimir Zelensky regime. He has obviously failed to live up to their expectations and play the role of an instrument in undermining Russian security and eliminating our common history, culture and everything Russian on Kiev-controlled territory.
📄 Read in full
📍 Moscow, December 15, 2023
Key talking points:
• We have signed a new 2024-2026 programme for coordinated foreign policy actions. It maintains continuity with previous documents and reiterates the priority of diplomatic support for integration processes unfolding within the Union State.
• At the same time, it reflects the need to significantly increase our focus on foreign policy priorities in areas related to the countries of the Global South and the Global East.
• All our agreements have been included in a resolution adopted by the board. This is the second signed document. The third is the Plan for Ministerial Consultations for 2024 which includes 34 rounds.
• Our shared opinion is that today’s decisions will further promote our cooperation and the international standing of the Union State.
• We discussed efforts to strengthen the legal framework for national and collective security. This issue is becoming increasingly urgent.
From the answers to media questions:
💬 We hear the talk that it is time to reduce aid to Ukraine. This is not just talk. It is not easy for both Europe and the US to find free money for the continued support of the Vladimir Zelensky regime. He has obviously failed to live up to their expectations and play the role of an instrument in undermining Russian security and eliminating our common history, culture and everything Russian on Kiev-controlled territory.
📄 Read in full
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
✉️ President Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the passing of his brother, Emir Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
✍️ Emir Nawaf Al-Ahmad rightfully commanded great authority in the Middle East. His dedicated efforts contributed substantially to the socioeconomic development of Kuwait and the elevation of the country’s standing in the international arena. We appreciate his personal contribution to fostering strong and friendly Russian-Kuwaiti relations.
The President of Russia asked to convey his sincere sympathy and support to all members of the Al-Sabah family and the friendly people of Kuwait.
✍️ Emir Nawaf Al-Ahmad rightfully commanded great authority in the Middle East. His dedicated efforts contributed substantially to the socioeconomic development of Kuwait and the elevation of the country’s standing in the international arena. We appreciate his personal contribution to fostering strong and friendly Russian-Kuwaiti relations.
The President of Russia asked to convey his sincere sympathy and support to all members of the Al-Sabah family and the friendly people of Kuwait.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s response to a media question following the EU Summit
❓ Question: Yesterday, a two-day summit of the European Union concluded in Brussels. How does the Russian Foreign Ministry assess its results?
💬 Maria Zakharova: The last summit of the year, which took place on December 14-15 in Brussels, drew a line under the European Union’s disappointing results. The once peaceful and prosperous integration association is experiencing a rapid decline in both political and economic influence in the world due to numerous geopolitical miscalculations made by its pro-American leadership.
It is apparent that EU leaders leaving their positions next year are acting like temporary workers, leading the union into a dead end where a complete loss of sovereignty and international political subjectivity await. Their main goal is to gain favour with Washington in order to ensure the continuation of their own careers.
☝️ Of course, not everyone in Europe agrees with this humiliating course of the European Union.
Increasingly, people are becoming irritated by double standards, constant dictate, alignment with Washington, and financial blackmail. Solidarity within the EU has ceased to be a free democratic choice of member countries, instead becoming a political obligation.
It is no surprise that internal tensions are growing in the EU under these conditions, with cracks appearing throughout the European Union.
🙅 It is understandable that, according to surveys in European countries, fewer people in the EU have trust in European institutions, which are divorced from the needs of ordinary citizens and are solely focused on satisfying geopolitical ambitions that have nothing to do with the interests of the people.
It is natural that the most responsible European politicians are increasingly prioritising national interests over empty mantras of “European solidarity” that are disconnected from real needs.
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❓ Question: Yesterday, a two-day summit of the European Union concluded in Brussels. How does the Russian Foreign Ministry assess its results?
💬 Maria Zakharova: The last summit of the year, which took place on December 14-15 in Brussels, drew a line under the European Union’s disappointing results. The once peaceful and prosperous integration association is experiencing a rapid decline in both political and economic influence in the world due to numerous geopolitical miscalculations made by its pro-American leadership.
It is apparent that EU leaders leaving their positions next year are acting like temporary workers, leading the union into a dead end where a complete loss of sovereignty and international political subjectivity await. Their main goal is to gain favour with Washington in order to ensure the continuation of their own careers.
☝️ Of course, not everyone in Europe agrees with this humiliating course of the European Union.
Increasingly, people are becoming irritated by double standards, constant dictate, alignment with Washington, and financial blackmail. Solidarity within the EU has ceased to be a free democratic choice of member countries, instead becoming a political obligation.
It is no surprise that internal tensions are growing in the EU under these conditions, with cracks appearing throughout the European Union.
🙅 It is understandable that, according to surveys in European countries, fewer people in the EU have trust in European institutions, which are divorced from the needs of ordinary citizens and are solely focused on satisfying geopolitical ambitions that have nothing to do with the interests of the people.
It is natural that the most responsible European politicians are increasingly prioritising national interests over empty mantras of “European solidarity” that are disconnected from real needs.
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Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Russian President Vladimir Putin’s answer to a question from the Moscow.Kremlin.Putin TV programme (December 17, 2023)
❓ Could you have been described as naive in the 2000s?
💬 Vladimir Putin: Yes, there was some naivety <…> I had the naïve idea that the whole world, and above all, the so called “civilised” world realised what had happened to Russia, that it had become a different country, that there was no longer any ideological confrontation, which meant that there were no grounds for confrontation.
If there were any negative elements in the Western nations’ policies towards Russia (among other things, their support for separatism and terrorism in Russia was apparent, I saw it as director of the Federal Security Service), I gullibly believed that this was just inertia in thinking and action: they were used to fighting the Soviet Union and kept on doing it.
<…>
Meanwhile, the reality was (I got a 100 percent confirmation of this later) that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, they thought that “we just need to be patient – and we will make Russia collapse, too.”
Such a big country by European standards, with the world’s largest territory and a fairly large population … “is generally redundant.” It would be better, as Brzezinski suggested, to split it into five parts and subjugate them separately, and to use their resources, but proceeding from the premise that all of them will lack weight on their own, they will not have their own voice or the ability to defend their national interests the way the Russian state is doing now.
It was only later that I realised that.
❓ Could you have been described as naive in the 2000s?
💬 Vladimir Putin: Yes, there was some naivety <…> I had the naïve idea that the whole world, and above all, the so called “civilised” world realised what had happened to Russia, that it had become a different country, that there was no longer any ideological confrontation, which meant that there were no grounds for confrontation.
If there were any negative elements in the Western nations’ policies towards Russia (among other things, their support for separatism and terrorism in Russia was apparent, I saw it as director of the Federal Security Service), I gullibly believed that this was just inertia in thinking and action: they were used to fighting the Soviet Union and kept on doing it.
<…>
Meanwhile, the reality was (I got a 100 percent confirmation of this later) that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, they thought that “we just need to be patient – and we will make Russia collapse, too.”
Such a big country by European standards, with the world’s largest territory and a fairly large population … “is generally redundant.” It would be better, as Brzezinski suggested, to split it into five parts and subjugate them separately, and to use their resources, but proceeding from the premise that all of them will lack weight on their own, they will not have their own voice or the ability to defend their national interests the way the Russian state is doing now.
It was only later that I realised that.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
#Opinion by Maria Zakharova
Ernst Thälmann was a German anti-fascist who led a relentless struggle against the Nazis and was purportedly executed at the direct order of Adolf Hitler.
Both Moscow and Berlin have monuments dedicated to Thälmann.
In the German capital, the monument was unveiled on April 15, 1986, in the Prenzlauer Berg district to commemorate Ernst Thälmann’s 100th birthday.
History repeats itself: Thälmann faced a second execution, even if this time it came in the form of threats against his monument. However, the extent of blasphemy and sacrilege this time has surpassed what happened during the Third Reich.
This person sacrificed his life to fighting lawlessness and lies and combatting Nazism. Can you imagine that they now want to melt his monument, sell the scrap metal and donate the proceeds to …. the Nazis in Kiev?
Ernst Thälmann’s execution was on the agenda of an August 14, 1944, meeting between Hitler and Himmler. This is when Hitler personally ordered that Thälmann be executed. “Execute Thälmann” was his personal resolution. Three days later, Ernst Thälmann was shot dead in Buchenwald. What did the German propaganda do? One month later, on September 14, 1944, the state-run German News Bureau reported that Buchenwald was hit by multiple bombs during an Allied bombardment, resulting in the death of Ernst Thälmann, among others.
History repeats itself, as I have already said. The staged Bucha incident included even that side of the story, with present-day Nazis from the Kiev regime discovering the bodies of “civilians who were allegedly murdered by the Russian military” on the city streets.
But what about Moscow? Here, the monument to Thälmann, a German, has stood near Aeroport metro station for 40 years now, designed by sculptors Vladimir and Valentin Artamonov. Times may change but we still want to remember Thälmann as a man who fought against Nazism and was one of the first to recognise its diabolical nature.
I do not recall any staff members from the German Embassy laying flowers at this monument. Correct me if I am wrong, but have they done anything to take care for this monument? After all, this monument belongs to the history of the German nation, celebrating one of the most glorious and heroic episodes in the country’s past.
One more thing. How many times have we heard about nations searching for a new identity? Progressives want to ride this wave in order to justify the demolition of old monuments for the sake of installing new ones.
A monument to Ivan Chernyakhovsky, a Soviet general and Great Patriotic War hero, was recently unveiled near the Ernst Thälmann monument in Moscow. They stand just 400 or 500 metres apart. These two monuments are so close to each other, with one commemorating an outstanding German and the other honouring a person who fought against the Nazi invaders. The idea of demolishing one monument to replace it with another one has never crossed anyone’s mind.
Officials in Berlin should sound all the alarms. If this new ethic leads to the removal of a monument to a person who fought against the Nazis, in five to ten years we may see monuments to Hitler and other Nazis popping up in Germany.
Ernst Thälmann was a German anti-fascist who led a relentless struggle against the Nazis and was purportedly executed at the direct order of Adolf Hitler.
Both Moscow and Berlin have monuments dedicated to Thälmann.
In the German capital, the monument was unveiled on April 15, 1986, in the Prenzlauer Berg district to commemorate Ernst Thälmann’s 100th birthday.
History repeats itself: Thälmann faced a second execution, even if this time it came in the form of threats against his monument. However, the extent of blasphemy and sacrilege this time has surpassed what happened during the Third Reich.
This person sacrificed his life to fighting lawlessness and lies and combatting Nazism. Can you imagine that they now want to melt his monument, sell the scrap metal and donate the proceeds to …. the Nazis in Kiev?
Ernst Thälmann’s execution was on the agenda of an August 14, 1944, meeting between Hitler and Himmler. This is when Hitler personally ordered that Thälmann be executed. “Execute Thälmann” was his personal resolution. Three days later, Ernst Thälmann was shot dead in Buchenwald. What did the German propaganda do? One month later, on September 14, 1944, the state-run German News Bureau reported that Buchenwald was hit by multiple bombs during an Allied bombardment, resulting in the death of Ernst Thälmann, among others.
History repeats itself, as I have already said. The staged Bucha incident included even that side of the story, with present-day Nazis from the Kiev regime discovering the bodies of “civilians who were allegedly murdered by the Russian military” on the city streets.
But what about Moscow? Here, the monument to Thälmann, a German, has stood near Aeroport metro station for 40 years now, designed by sculptors Vladimir and Valentin Artamonov. Times may change but we still want to remember Thälmann as a man who fought against Nazism and was one of the first to recognise its diabolical nature.
I do not recall any staff members from the German Embassy laying flowers at this monument. Correct me if I am wrong, but have they done anything to take care for this monument? After all, this monument belongs to the history of the German nation, celebrating one of the most glorious and heroic episodes in the country’s past.
One more thing. How many times have we heard about nations searching for a new identity? Progressives want to ride this wave in order to justify the demolition of old monuments for the sake of installing new ones.
A monument to Ivan Chernyakhovsky, a Soviet general and Great Patriotic War hero, was recently unveiled near the Ernst Thälmann monument in Moscow. They stand just 400 or 500 metres apart. These two monuments are so close to each other, with one commemorating an outstanding German and the other honouring a person who fought against the Nazi invaders. The idea of demolishing one monument to replace it with another one has never crossed anyone’s mind.
Officials in Berlin should sound all the alarms. If this new ethic leads to the removal of a monument to a person who fought against the Nazis, in five to ten years we may see monuments to Hitler and other Nazis popping up in Germany.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
📹 President Vladimir Putin's address to the CIS Heads of Government Council meeting participants (December 18, 2023):
💬 The current meeting is dedicated to a truly important issue, specifically, to expanding cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere. It is precisely the close-knit cultural connectivity and spiritual proximity of our nations, the extensive human contacts and the centuries-long shared history of our life in a single state that constitute a solid foundation for building upon intra-CIS integration processes.
I believe you will agree that we have inherited a truly unique civilisational blend of traditions and customs, languages and literature, art and folk culture. It is our task to preserve this common multi-national asset to the greatest possible extent and to enrich it with new content.
👉 It is therefore quite natural that, during Russia’s CIS chairmanship, due to commence from January 1, we are planning to continue to expand the practice of holding a wide range of joint events dealing with the most diverse aspects of art, education, and science.
Certainly, we aim to continue the closest possible interaction in the field of preserving the memory of our common past and combatting efforts to falsify history and glorify Nazism.
Naturally, during its chairmanship, Russia will devote special attention to preserving the Russian language, our common asset. The Russian language has been facilitating inter-ethnic communications between hundreds of millions of people in our countries and all over the world, and it retains this status.
***
It is highly symbolic that your meeting is taking place at the VDNKh complex. I think you have already had a chance to visit the Russia International Exhibition and Forum. This exhibition is of great interest, and it has already been visited by several million people – Moscow residents and numerous guests of the capital, who, by the way, also enjoy visiting the renovated national pavilions of the Commonwealth countries located at VDNKh.
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💬 The current meeting is dedicated to a truly important issue, specifically, to expanding cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere. It is precisely the close-knit cultural connectivity and spiritual proximity of our nations, the extensive human contacts and the centuries-long shared history of our life in a single state that constitute a solid foundation for building upon intra-CIS integration processes.
I believe you will agree that we have inherited a truly unique civilisational blend of traditions and customs, languages and literature, art and folk culture. It is our task to preserve this common multi-national asset to the greatest possible extent and to enrich it with new content.
👉 It is therefore quite natural that, during Russia’s CIS chairmanship, due to commence from January 1, we are planning to continue to expand the practice of holding a wide range of joint events dealing with the most diverse aspects of art, education, and science.
Certainly, we aim to continue the closest possible interaction in the field of preserving the memory of our common past and combatting efforts to falsify history and glorify Nazism.
Naturally, during its chairmanship, Russia will devote special attention to preserving the Russian language, our common asset. The Russian language has been facilitating inter-ethnic communications between hundreds of millions of people in our countries and all over the world, and it retains this status.
***
It is highly symbolic that your meeting is taking place at the VDNKh complex. I think you have already had a chance to visit the Russia International Exhibition and Forum. This exhibition is of great interest, and it has already been visited by several million people – Moscow residents and numerous guests of the capital, who, by the way, also enjoy visiting the renovated national pavilions of the Commonwealth countries located at VDNKh.
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Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🕯 #OnThisDay, in 1941, Dmitry Lavrinenko, the most successful tank operator of the Red Army in the Great Patriotic War, was killed on the approaches to Volokolamsk. During two and a half months of ferocious fighting, he took part in 28 battles, destroying 52 Nazi tanks, a result no other Red Army soldier was able to surpass.
Lavrinenko took part in the Battle of Moscow and provided support to the famous Panfilov Division. He demonstrated great skill in driving a T-34 tank, the ability to manoeuvre between the clumsy German machines, and the capacity to make unconventional decisions during the battle for the capital.
The 27-year-old hero was killed in December 1941 by a bomb fragment when liberating the village of Goryuny during the counteroffensive near Moscow. Before his death, he destroyed an enemy heavy tank, the 52nd tank on his kill score.
🎖 Posthumously awarded with the Hero of the Soviet Union title.
#FacesOfVictory
Lavrinenko took part in the Battle of Moscow and provided support to the famous Panfilov Division. He demonstrated great skill in driving a T-34 tank, the ability to manoeuvre between the clumsy German machines, and the capacity to make unconventional decisions during the battle for the capital.
The 27-year-old hero was killed in December 1941 by a bomb fragment when liberating the village of Goryuny during the counteroffensive near Moscow. Before his death, he destroyed an enemy heavy tank, the 52nd tank on his kill score.
🎖 Posthumously awarded with the Hero of the Soviet Union title.
#FacesOfVictory
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 President Vladimir Putin's answers to questions from the Moscow. Kremlin. Putin programme (December 17, 2023)
❓Question: You said that the US is pursuing an imperial policy, and that [US President] Biden claims that if Putin is not stopped in Ukraine, then that means Russia will attack NATO.
💬 This is complete nonsense, and I believe President Biden understands this as well. It is just a figure of speech to justify his misguided policy towards Russia. This policy is misguided because I don't think that the US is as interested today, in terms of global development, as it was 20 years ago, in inflicting, as they publicly claim, a “strategic defeat” on Russia. I don't think it aligns with the national interests of the US itself. That's the first point.
Secondly, the president of any major NATO country, especially sole NATO master (and the US is the master of NATO, and all of NATO is their backyard) cannot fail to realise that Russia has no reason, no interest – be it geopolitical, economic, political or military – to wage war against NATO countries. We have no territorial claims against each other, and we harbour no intentions to jeopardise our relations with them. We are interested in developing relations.
They [the US] dragged Finland into NATO. Did we have any disputes with Finland? All disputes, including territorial ones, were solved long ago, in the middle of the XX century. We enjoyed the most kind, cordial relations, including economic relations. Everything was developing. <...> There were no problems. And now there will be because we will create the Leningrad Military District and deploy certain military units there.
Do we have a problem with anyone? No we don't. It is they who artificially create problems with us, because they do not want to have Russia as their competitor. That is all.
❓Question: How can we find common ground when there are accusations from all sides?
💬 They will have to find common ground with us, because they will have to reckon with our perspective.
❓Question: You said that the US is pursuing an imperial policy, and that [US President] Biden claims that if Putin is not stopped in Ukraine, then that means Russia will attack NATO.
💬 This is complete nonsense, and I believe President Biden understands this as well. It is just a figure of speech to justify his misguided policy towards Russia. This policy is misguided because I don't think that the US is as interested today, in terms of global development, as it was 20 years ago, in inflicting, as they publicly claim, a “strategic defeat” on Russia. I don't think it aligns with the national interests of the US itself. That's the first point.
Secondly, the president of any major NATO country, especially sole NATO master (and the US is the master of NATO, and all of NATO is their backyard) cannot fail to realise that Russia has no reason, no interest – be it geopolitical, economic, political or military – to wage war against NATO countries. We have no territorial claims against each other, and we harbour no intentions to jeopardise our relations with them. We are interested in developing relations.
They [the US] dragged Finland into NATO. Did we have any disputes with Finland? All disputes, including territorial ones, were solved long ago, in the middle of the XX century. We enjoyed the most kind, cordial relations, including economic relations. Everything was developing. <...> There were no problems. And now there will be because we will create the Leningrad Military District and deploy certain military units there.
Do we have a problem with anyone? No we don't. It is they who artificially create problems with us, because they do not want to have Russia as their competitor. That is all.
❓Question: How can we find common ground when there are accusations from all sides?
💬 They will have to find common ground with us, because they will have to reckon with our perspective.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🇷🇺🇪🇬✉️ President of Russia Vladimir Putin sent a message of congratulations to President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on his re-election as President.
✍️ The message reads, in part:
“Your convincing victory in the election has become a prime example of the wide recognition of your efforts in addressing the current socioeconomic and foreign policy challenges facing Egypt.
It is hard to overestimate your personal contribution to building and strengthening the Russian-Egyptian strategic partnership. I would like to reaffirm our readiness to continue our constructive joint work to further develop the entire range of bilateral ties, as well as cooperation in international affairs, including within the #BRICS framework.”
✍️ The message reads, in part:
“Your convincing victory in the election has become a prime example of the wide recognition of your efforts in addressing the current socioeconomic and foreign policy challenges facing Egypt.
It is hard to overestimate your personal contribution to building and strengthening the Russian-Egyptian strategic partnership. I would like to reaffirm our readiness to continue our constructive joint work to further develop the entire range of bilateral ties, as well as cooperation in international affairs, including within the #BRICS framework.”