Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
Media is too big
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#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.
Read in full
❓ 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.
Read in full
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.
Read in full
💬 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.
Read in full
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.”
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
⚡️ Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s comment on the developments around #Essequibo
💬 We welcome the meeting between President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro and President of Guyana Irfaan Ali in Kingstown (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), during which they exchanged views on Essequibo.
🇻🇪🇬🇾 We consider it fundamentally important that the presidents personally demonstrated their willingness to display restraint and build up trust. They clearly expressed their commitment to searching for ways of settling differences and achieving mutually acceptable solutions at negotiations, in conformity with international law, including the Geneva agreement of February 17, 1966.
We are satisfied that the mutual understanding reached by the presidents allowed them to reduce bilateral tensions and put the dialogue on a mutually acceptable track. The creation of a joint commission at foreign minister level will also be conducive to reaching these goals.
☝️ We consider it no less important that the leaders of Venezuela and Guyana, who met with the assistance of the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the heads of state of the CARICOM countries and the Brazilian President’s special aide on foreign affairs, emphasised that foreign interference in the affairs of the region is unacceptable.
We are urging all states to respect such an approach. We intend to act in this vein, proceeding from the premise that Latin American problems need Latin American solutions. We are convinced that the preservation of Latin America as a zone of peace, free from any conflicts, meets the interests of all states in the region and the world in general.
💬 We welcome the meeting between President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro and President of Guyana Irfaan Ali in Kingstown (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), during which they exchanged views on Essequibo.
🇻🇪🇬🇾 We consider it fundamentally important that the presidents personally demonstrated their willingness to display restraint and build up trust. They clearly expressed their commitment to searching for ways of settling differences and achieving mutually acceptable solutions at negotiations, in conformity with international law, including the Geneva agreement of February 17, 1966.
We are satisfied that the mutual understanding reached by the presidents allowed them to reduce bilateral tensions and put the dialogue on a mutually acceptable track. The creation of a joint commission at foreign minister level will also be conducive to reaching these goals.
☝️ We consider it no less important that the leaders of Venezuela and Guyana, who met with the assistance of the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the heads of state of the CARICOM countries and the Brazilian President’s special aide on foreign affairs, emphasised that foreign interference in the affairs of the region is unacceptable.
We are urging all states to respect such an approach. We intend to act in this vein, proceeding from the premise that Latin American problems need Latin American solutions. We are convinced that the preservation of Latin America as a zone of peace, free from any conflicts, meets the interests of all states in the region and the world in general.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🕯 Today marks seven years since outstanding Russian diplomat, the then Ambassador to Turkey (2013-2016) Andrey Karlov is no longer with us.
On December 19, 2016, he fell victim to a terrorist attack aimed at undermining Russian-Turkish relations and the peace process in Syria.
Andrey Karlov devoted his entire life to the diplomatic service. For many years he was stationed in DPRK, contributed to resolving nuclear tension on the Korean peninsula. As the Head of the Russian diplomatic mission in Ankara, he promoted improving bilateral relations with Turkey. He was posthumously awarded the title of the Hero of the Russian Federation.
Ambassador Karlov was attacked during the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition in Ankara. The verdict in the murder case was handed down in March 2021: the accused were sentenced to prison terms, while another five people faced life imprisonment.
💬 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov: Ambassador Andrey Karlov was a comrade, a close friend and one of our top diplomats... Andrey died in the line of duty. We will forever keep our memories of him alive.
#InMemoriam #ForeverInOurHearts
On December 19, 2016, he fell victim to a terrorist attack aimed at undermining Russian-Turkish relations and the peace process in Syria.
Andrey Karlov devoted his entire life to the diplomatic service. For many years he was stationed in DPRK, contributed to resolving nuclear tension on the Korean peninsula. As the Head of the Russian diplomatic mission in Ankara, he promoted improving bilateral relations with Turkey. He was posthumously awarded the title of the Hero of the Russian Federation.
Ambassador Karlov was attacked during the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition in Ankara. The verdict in the murder case was handed down in March 2021: the accused were sentenced to prison terms, while another five people faced life imprisonment.
💬 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov: Ambassador Andrey Karlov was a comrade, a close friend and one of our top diplomats... Andrey died in the line of duty. We will forever keep our memories of him alive.
#InMemoriam #ForeverInOurHearts
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Excerpts from President Vladimir Putin's speech at an expanded meeting of the Defence Ministry Board (December 19, 2023)
💬 The year of 2023 was a tense one for the Russian Armed Forces, and I want to say at once that our soldiers and officers, commanders at all levels courageously and professionally carried out tasks during special military operation, ensuring the country's sovereignty at the global level, nuclear missile parity and Russia's strategic security.
• The events of this year have confirmed that the West continues to wage hybrid warfare against Russia, actively providing the Kiev regime with real-time intelligence, sending military advisers, transferring modern weapons systems, including highly mobile multiple rocket launchers, long-range missile systems, cluster munitions and a large number of new UAVs. As we know, the West also planning to hand over F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine: pilots are being trained in the West.
📈 The activity of the NATO military bloc as a whole has also increased dramatically recently. Significant forces from the US, including aircraft, have been moved to our borders. The number of Alliance's troops in Eastern and Central Europe has increased. Finland, as we know, has already been drawn into NATO, and Sweden is planning to join. In fact, this means another stage in the alliance's approach to our borders.
❗️ The West is not abandoning its strategy to deter Russia and its aggressive goals in Ukraine. Well, we are not going to give up our goals of a special military operation either.
• Assessing the current situation on the ground, on the line of contact, we can say with confidence that our troops have the initiative. <...> The enemy is suffering heavy losses and has largely squandered its reserves. Incidentally, the myth of the invulnerability of Western military equipment has also collapsed.
☝️ All attempts, as they said in the West, to inflict on us a military defeat, a strategic defeat, crashed against the courage and fortitude of our soldiers.
💬 The year of 2023 was a tense one for the Russian Armed Forces, and I want to say at once that our soldiers and officers, commanders at all levels courageously and professionally carried out tasks during special military operation, ensuring the country's sovereignty at the global level, nuclear missile parity and Russia's strategic security.
• The events of this year have confirmed that the West continues to wage hybrid warfare against Russia, actively providing the Kiev regime with real-time intelligence, sending military advisers, transferring modern weapons systems, including highly mobile multiple rocket launchers, long-range missile systems, cluster munitions and a large number of new UAVs. As we know, the West also planning to hand over F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine: pilots are being trained in the West.
📈 The activity of the NATO military bloc as a whole has also increased dramatically recently. Significant forces from the US, including aircraft, have been moved to our borders. The number of Alliance's troops in Eastern and Central Europe has increased. Finland, as we know, has already been drawn into NATO, and Sweden is planning to join. In fact, this means another stage in the alliance's approach to our borders.
❗️ The West is not abandoning its strategy to deter Russia and its aggressive goals in Ukraine. Well, we are not going to give up our goals of a special military operation either.
• Assessing the current situation on the ground, on the line of contact, we can say with confidence that our troops have the initiative. <...> The enemy is suffering heavy losses and has largely squandered its reserves. Incidentally, the myth of the invulnerability of Western military equipment has also collapsed.
☝️ All attempts, as they said in the West, to inflict on us a military defeat, a strategic defeat, crashed against the courage and fortitude of our soldiers.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Statement by Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation General of the Army Sergei Shoigu at an expanded meeting of the Defence Ministry Board (December 19, 2023)
Key talking points:
• Russian Groups of Forces have liberated an area five times larger than that of the Lugansk and Donetsk people's republics before the special military operation began.
💰 To date, Ukraine has received $203 billion from external sources, which is $30 billion more than its GDP. In fact, it is a bankrupt country. A significant part of these funds are loans that have to be repaid.
• In total, 5,220 tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and armoured personnel carriers, 28 airplanes, 87 helicopters, 23,000 unmanned aerial vehicles, over 1,300 artillery systems, including 494 M777, Caesar, Paladin, and Krab howitzers, as well as 2,650,000 155-mm and 122-mm shells were delivered to Kiev.
• NATO military personnel have direct control over air defence systems, operational-tactical missiles, and multiple launch rocket systems. <...> A total of 410 military and dual-purpose spacecraft from NATO countries are working in the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
❗️ Since the special operation began, the AFU's losses have exceeded 383,000 troops killed and wounded, 14,000 tanks, IFVs, and APCs, 553 airplanes and 259 helicopters, 8,500 field artillery guns and MLRS vehicles.
• The mercenaries who have been actively involved since the beginning of the special military operation have been eliminated for the most part. More than 5,800 militants were neutralised, including 1,427 from Poland, 466 from the US, and 344 from the UK.
☝️ Every day, more than 1,500 people [in Russia] apply for military service. This year alone, about 490,000 contract servicemen and volunteers have been recruited.
• The number of foreign volunteers willing to fight in favour of the truth has increased seven times. In the Ukrainian army, the opposite trend is observed. The number of foreign mercenaries has decreased six times.
Key talking points:
• Russian Groups of Forces have liberated an area five times larger than that of the Lugansk and Donetsk people's republics before the special military operation began.
💰 To date, Ukraine has received $203 billion from external sources, which is $30 billion more than its GDP. In fact, it is a bankrupt country. A significant part of these funds are loans that have to be repaid.
• In total, 5,220 tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and armoured personnel carriers, 28 airplanes, 87 helicopters, 23,000 unmanned aerial vehicles, over 1,300 artillery systems, including 494 M777, Caesar, Paladin, and Krab howitzers, as well as 2,650,000 155-mm and 122-mm shells were delivered to Kiev.
• NATO military personnel have direct control over air defence systems, operational-tactical missiles, and multiple launch rocket systems. <...> A total of 410 military and dual-purpose spacecraft from NATO countries are working in the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
❗️ Since the special operation began, the AFU's losses have exceeded 383,000 troops killed and wounded, 14,000 tanks, IFVs, and APCs, 553 airplanes and 259 helicopters, 8,500 field artillery guns and MLRS vehicles.
• The mercenaries who have been actively involved since the beginning of the special military operation have been eliminated for the most part. More than 5,800 militants were neutralised, including 1,427 from Poland, 466 from the US, and 344 from the UK.
☝️ Every day, more than 1,500 people [in Russia] apply for military service. This year alone, about 490,000 contract servicemen and volunteers have been recruited.
• The number of foreign volunteers willing to fight in favour of the truth has increased seven times. In the Ukrainian army, the opposite trend is observed. The number of foreign mercenaries has decreased six times.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with Channel One’s Bolshaya Igra (Great Game) political talk show (Moscow, December 18, 2023)
📰 Read in full
📺 Watch
Key talking points:
▫️ We are well aware of the fact (as we made it clear many years ago) that all of this is not about Ukraine but about containing Russia. Kiev was used as a tool to pose permanent military threats to the Russian Federation and to eradicate our influence to the extent of destroying Russian traditions, language, culture, and even ethnic Russians physically.
▫️ Every day we hear assertions (repeated by several Western countries) that the Americans are not taking part in the hostilities but are only “supporting” Ukraine, which is waging a “just” war for its sovereignty, territorial integrity and European values. There are many facts, including on video, about mercenaries from Poland and other European states. Some are even from the Middle East where the Americans still have the Al-Tanf military base in Syria, where ISIS commandos feel at ease. Some of them have been seen in Ukraine.
▫️ The new version of Russia’s Foreign Policy Concept uses a novel term describing Russia as a state and a civilisation at one and the same time. This involves much responsibility. The concept states the objective fact that Russia is a civilisation in its own right
▫️ We have no territorial disputes with NATO countries. In general, we no longer have any territorial disputes with anyone. Territorial disputes even with Japan have been settled. They understand this perfectly well.
▫️ Again, to put this in perspective: Europe, and the US are leaving no stone unturned in the Middle East as they urge the Lebanese, Iranians, Iraqis, and Syrians to do their best to prevent the war in Gaza from spreading to contiguous territories. Perhaps, they should act with the same amount of zeal to prevent this from happening in Ukraine.
📰 Read in full
📺 Watch
Key talking points:
▫️ We are well aware of the fact (as we made it clear many years ago) that all of this is not about Ukraine but about containing Russia. Kiev was used as a tool to pose permanent military threats to the Russian Federation and to eradicate our influence to the extent of destroying Russian traditions, language, culture, and even ethnic Russians physically.
▫️ Every day we hear assertions (repeated by several Western countries) that the Americans are not taking part in the hostilities but are only “supporting” Ukraine, which is waging a “just” war for its sovereignty, territorial integrity and European values. There are many facts, including on video, about mercenaries from Poland and other European states. Some are even from the Middle East where the Americans still have the Al-Tanf military base in Syria, where ISIS commandos feel at ease. Some of them have been seen in Ukraine.
▫️ The new version of Russia’s Foreign Policy Concept uses a novel term describing Russia as a state and a civilisation at one and the same time. This involves much responsibility. The concept states the objective fact that Russia is a civilisation in its own right
▫️ We have no territorial disputes with NATO countries. In general, we no longer have any territorial disputes with anyone. Territorial disputes even with Japan have been settled. They understand this perfectly well.
▫️ Again, to put this in perspective: Europe, and the US are leaving no stone unturned in the Middle East as they urge the Lebanese, Iranians, Iraqis, and Syrians to do their best to prevent the war in Gaza from spreading to contiguous territories. Perhaps, they should act with the same amount of zeal to prevent this from happening in Ukraine.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🇷🇺🇰🇼 President Vladimir Putin sent greetings to Emir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the occasion of his enthronement.
✉️ Relations between Russia and Kuwait are traditionally friendly. I am confident that these relations will continue to develop productively in various areas for the benefit of our peoples and in the interests of strengthening peace and security in the Middle East.
✉️ Relations between Russia and Kuwait are traditionally friendly. I am confident that these relations will continue to develop productively in various areas for the benefit of our peoples and in the interests of strengthening peace and security in the Middle East.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🗓 On December 20, Marrakesh, the Kingdom of Morocco, hosted the 6th Session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum (RACF) at the ministerial level.
The meeting was co-chaired by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco Nasser Bourita. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and the Foreign Ministers of Bahrain, the Comoros, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, Qatar, Somalia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen took part via video conference.
👉 The participants in the RACF session unanimously agreed that the domestic political problems of the countries in the region, no matter how challenging, should be resolved by peaceful means through a wide-ranging national dialogue embracing all political forces and walks of life.
At the same time, it was stressed that any outside interference in the internal affairs of independent states was unacceptable. The participants reaffirmed that the principle of respect for their sovereignty and territorial integrity in conformity with international law and the UN Charter remained immutable.
🌐 These fundamental postulates served as the basis for a detailed analysis of a number of current regional problems with a focus on an unprecedented escalation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone.
🤝 A number of specific steps were coordinated to invigorate the entire range of cooperation between Russia and the Arab countries, including trade, the economy, research, culture, and the humanitarian area.
The RACF concluded with its participants approving a joint Statement and a Plan of Action to implement the Forum’s principles, goals and tasks for 2024-2026. It was agreed that the 7th RACF session would be held in Moscow in 2024.
Read in full
The meeting was co-chaired by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco Nasser Bourita. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and the Foreign Ministers of Bahrain, the Comoros, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, Qatar, Somalia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen took part via video conference.
👉 The participants in the RACF session unanimously agreed that the domestic political problems of the countries in the region, no matter how challenging, should be resolved by peaceful means through a wide-ranging national dialogue embracing all political forces and walks of life.
At the same time, it was stressed that any outside interference in the internal affairs of independent states was unacceptable. The participants reaffirmed that the principle of respect for their sovereignty and territorial integrity in conformity with international law and the UN Charter remained immutable.
🌐 These fundamental postulates served as the basis for a detailed analysis of a number of current regional problems with a focus on an unprecedented escalation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone.
🤝 A number of specific steps were coordinated to invigorate the entire range of cooperation between Russia and the Arab countries, including trade, the economy, research, culture, and the humanitarian area.
The RACF concluded with its participants approving a joint Statement and a Plan of Action to implement the Forum’s principles, goals and tasks for 2024-2026. It was agreed that the 7th RACF session would be held in Moscow in 2024.
Read in full