🎙 Remarks by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at President Vladimir Putin's meeting with members of the Government (June 4, 2025)

💬 Sergey Lavrov: Mr. Medinsky spoke on the main results. I believe that this is important and useful. The process of direct talks, which you previously agreed on in one of the latest telephone conversations with Donald Trump, is underway.

As we know, both rounds yielded tangible results, including the 1'000 for 1'000 POWs swap. Now, as head of our delegation Vladimir Medinsky said, additional agreements on a new swap, which is as large as the previous one, and not just of prisoners of war in equal numbers, but also of the seriously wounded, the sick, as well as the return of the remains of the deceased, have been made.

I believe it is better to always have a channel of communication. It enables us to address urgent humanitarian concerns above all else. At this stage, the coordination of reciprocal humanitarian measures as goodwill gestures and steps toward building trust is especially vital. As I have noted, we are seeing real progress in this area.

In light of what was just mentioned regarding the proposal for a brief two- or three-day pause to allow for the dignified recovery of the bodies of the deceased along sections of the contact line – where wounded individuals may still be present – I consider Kiev’s categorical and harsh rejection of this initiative to be a grave mistake. This comes on top of similar refusals of our proposals for humanitarian pauses during Easter and during the celebrations of the 80th Anniversary of the Great Victory.

Nevertheless, Mr. President, despite all this, and despite the serious criminal provocations that have taken place in recent days, I believe it is important not to fall into the trap of these provocations, which are clearly designed to derail the talks and continue receiving arms deliveries from European nations.

I believe that all means to achieve the just goals of the special military operation, including negotiations, must be put to use. The Foreign Ministry is actively engaged in Vladimir Medinsky’s delegation.

President Putin: I agree. There was a report that there also was some comment made by the Ukrainian side about the composition and level of our delegation.

Sergey Lavrov: Yes, Mr. President, the comment was anonymous, but it was spread in the media. Nobody approached us with specific questions or specific ideas. Journalists asked about this, and we explained what the level of Aide to the President of the Russian Federation means.

🇷🇺🇻🇦 Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Pope Leo XIV

🔹Vladimir Putin once again congratulated the pontiff on his election and wished him every success in accomplishing his noble mission.

🔹Both sides acknowledged Pope Francis' immense personal contribution to strengthening the ties between Russia and the Holy See. They agreed to pursue efforts to develop these ties further on the basis of common spiritual and moral values with a view to establishing a more just world order. They expressed mutual commitment to deepening cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian affairs and in the name of protecting Christians and holy sites of Christianity all over the world and, notably, in the Middle East.

🔹At the request and on behalf of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Vladimir Putin conveyed to Pope Leo XIV best wishes for success in his pastoral duties. In turn, the pontiff expressed support for continuing the important dialogue between the two sister churches.

🔹While exchanging views with the pope on the situation in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his willingness to achieve peace through political and diplomatic means, pointing out that in order to reach an ultimate, fair, and thorough resolution, it was necessary to eliminate the root causes of the crisis.

🔹Concerning the resumption of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, the President of Russia detailed the specific agreements during the second round of negotiations involving the exchange of prisoners of war and bodies of dead soldiers. It was emphasised that the Russian side was taking all possible measures to reunite children with their families.

🔹Appreciation was expressed to the pontiff for his willingness to contribute to resolving the crisis, notably, for Vatican's depolitisised participation in solving pressing humanitarian issues.

🔹Vladimir Putin drew special attention to the fact that Kiev regime was banking on escalating the conflict and carried out sabotage against civilian infrastructure in Russia's territory. It was emphasised that the deliberate and targeted strike on civilians made by the Ukrainian side recently was unequivocally defined as terrorism by international law.

🔹Due to the Kiev regime's well-known commitment to dismantling the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the hope was expressed that the Holy See would be more active in speaking out in support of freedom of religion in Ukraine.

🔹The conversation was constructive. Both sides expressed their intention to maintain contact.

Vladimir Putin spoke on the recent terrorist attacks in the Bryansk and Kursk regions. Some of the key takeaways:

🔸The Government and regional authorities were instructed to take all necessary measures to help the families of the victims and the injured.

🔸The incident in the Bryansk region was an intentional attack on civilians. International law deems such acts terrorism.

🔸The decisions to blow up railways in the Bryansk and Kursk regions were most certainly made by the political authorities of Ukraine.

🔸The crimes against civilians, committed ahead of the next round of the peace talks that had been proposed by Russia, were undoubtedly an attempt to disrupt the negotiations.

🔸The strike on civilians was intentional, and this only serves to confirm Russia's concerns that the illegitimate Kiev regime is gradually devolving into a terrorist organisation, with its sponsors becoming accomplices of terrorists.

See more on the Kremlin’s official website.

⚡️ Comment by the Aide to the President of the Russian Federation Yury Ushakov on the outcomes of Russia's President Vladimir Putin’s telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump (June 4, 2025)

💬 About an hour ago, the fourth telephone conversation between our President and US President Donald Trump concluded. <...>

Vladimir Putin provided detailed information on the outcomes of the second round of direct Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul.

It was emphasised that Ukraine tried to derail these talks by carrying out targeted attacks on purely civilian targets and civilian population on direct orders from the Kiev regime.

These attacks unequivocally constitute an act of terrorism under international law and, in our view, the Kiev regime has essentially degenerated into a terrorist organisation. The Russian side did not fall for the provocations and, as you know, the second round has effectively taken place in Istanbul.

To reiterate, our President extensively covered the content and the outcomes of the talks and emphasised that, overall, these talks were productive. The corresponding memorandums were exchanged and will be analysed in the capitals – Moscow and Kiev – and then, we hope, both sides can continue the talks.

Regarding the strikes on military airfields, this issue was also discussed. Donald Trump reiterated that Americans were not informed in advance about them.

Naturally, the Leaders agreed to continue contacts on the Ukraine issue, both at the highest level and through other channels as well.

In addition to Ukraine, a number of international issues were discussed, with a focus on the stalled talks between the United States and Iran on the Iranian nuclear programme.

☝️ Donald Trump believes that Russia’s assistance may be necessary, and he would appreciate it if Russia could work with the Iranian side accordingly.

Additionally, the Middle East was discussed, as well as the armed conflict between India and Pakistan, which has been halted with the personal involvement of President Trump.

Furthermore, the Presidents exchanged views on the prospects for restoring Russia-US cooperation in various areas, which, according to both Presidents, have enormous potential.

🤝 In conclusion, both Leaders characterised the exchange of views as positive and highly productive. President Trump and our President also confirmed their willingness to remain in constant communication.

I would also note that both Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin highly appreciated the efforts of President Trump’s Special Envoy Steven Witkoff.

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#RussiaUSA

🇷🇺🇻🇦📞 On June 4, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and Pope Leo XIV held a telephone conversation.

Vladimir Putin once again congratulated the pontiff on his election and wished him every success in accomplishing his noble mission.

Both Sides acknowledged Pope Francis's immense personal contribution to strengthening the ties between Russia and the Holy See. They agreed to pursue efforts to develop these ties further on the basis of shared spiritual and moral values with a view to establishing a more just world order. They expressed mutual commitment to deepening cooperation in cultural and humanitarian affairs and in the name of protecting Christians and holy sites of Christianity all over the world and, notably, in the Middle East.

At the request and on behalf of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Vladimir Putin conveyed to Pope Leo XIV best wishes for success in his pastoral duties. In turn, the pontiff expressed support for continuing the important dialogue between the two sister churches.

While exchanging views with the pope on the situation in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his willingness to achieve peace through political and diplomatic means, pointing out that in order to reach an ultimate, fair, and comprehensive resolution, it was necessary to eliminate the root causes of the crisis.

Concerning the resumption of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, the President of Russia detailed the specific agreements reached during the second round of negotiations involving the exchange of prisoners of war and bodies of dead soldiers. It was emphasised that the Russian side was taking all possible measures to reunite children with their families.

🤝 Appreciation was expressed to the pontiff for his willingness to contribute to resolving the crisis, notably, for the Vatican's depoliticised participation in solving pressing humanitarian issues.

Vladimir Putin drew special attention to the fact that Kiev regime was banking on escalating the conflict and carried out sabotage against civilian infrastructure on Russian territory. It was emphasised that the deliberate and targeted strike on civilians made by the Ukrainian side recently was unequivocally classified as terrorism by international law.

Due to the Kiev regime's well-known commitment to dismantling the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the hope was expressed that the Holy See would take a more active stance in support of freedom of religion in Ukraine.

The conversation was constructive. Both Sides expressed their intention to maintain contact.

#RussiaVatican

🎙 Statement by Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN Vassily Nebenzia at a UNSC Arria-Formula Meeting on Understanding and Resolving the Ideological Roots of the Ukrainian Crisis (New York, June 4, 2025)

Key talking points:

• Over the years of independence of Ukraine about 15 neo-Nazi parties and groups have emerged. After the bloody coup d’etat of 2014 the representatives of the neo-Nazi Svoboda (Freedom) Party took key governmental positions, in particular Oleksandr Sych became deputy Prime-Minister.

• At the turn of the XX century, nationalist narratives combined with Russophobia led not only to the revival of Nazi ideas, but also to their deep penetration into the Ukrainian society. Today nationalism permeates almost the entire political system, education, and media. The Ukrainian authorities erect monuments and memorial plaques to honor the memory of Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and Ukrainian Insurgent Army fighters, the streets are named after them.

• We cannot ignore the troubling ideological shift that has taken place in Ukraine since 2014, which was gradually accumulating since independence. In the years following the coup, we have witnessed a state-sponsored campaign that has not only marginalized Russian-speaking citizens but has also sought to rehabilitate and glorify individuals and groups historically associated with Nazism. The silence, and at times quiet endorsement, from Western nations has only emboldened this distortion of historical truth.

• Miserable fate awaits Russian prisoners of war, who are tortured and abused in captivity. While desperately trying to present itself to the international community as the main peacemaker and human rights champion, Ukraine does not even bother to ensure that the norms of international humanitarian law are respected by its combatants. Neo-Nazis are not shy, but rather proud to publicly post videos showing prisoners being castrated and kneecapped to say nothing of being shot.

• We must remember that opportunities for peace have been on the table. In 2022, there was a real chance to reach an agreement. But tragically, some Western countries chose to undermine those efforts, prioritizing geopolitical objectives over human lives and seeking to prolong the war in vain hopes of inflicting strategic defeat on Russia. The cost of that choice has been immense for Ukraine.

☝️ We stand at a crossroads. There is hope that the world can shift its course away from escalation and towards the resolution of the conflict. If we are serious about peace, we must focus not just on ending hostilities but on addressing also the ideological and historical wounds that underpin this conflict. By facing these challenges with honesty and courage, we can pave the way for meaningful dialogue, mutual respect, and a future where lasting peace is not just a goal, but a shared reality.

• Not all Ukrainians are Nazis. Most of them are not. But the ideology that rules today in Ukraine is extreme nationalism and Nazism. And it is, to a large extent, complicit in the beginning of the conflict and in fueling it.

• The proof of the neo-Nazi backbone of the Kiev regime is everywhere to be seen in modern Ukraine, obsessed with whitewashing and the heroization of Nazi collaborators, naming streets and schools after them. Numerous cases of such troubling acts are being painstakingly documented internally by the Ukrainian Jewish Committee and Holocaust remembrance organizations in Israel.

• If they [our Western colleagues] embrace the truth, they will have to accept rightfulness of one of the aims of the special military operation — the denazification of Ukraine. And we owe it to our children. And it is a sacred duty to free Ukrainians themselves from it.

❗️ We will do everything in our power to eradicate Nazism at our borders.

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🗓 On June 4, under the chairmanship of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, a meeting of the Collegium of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation was held. The topic — “Furthering Russia’s cooperation with Africa.”

The session underscored the priority status of comprehensive relations with the African continent, as well as Russia’s commitment to fostering Africa’s emergence as a distinctive and influential centre of global development, in line with the Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation approved by the President in 2023.

🇷🇺🌍 The Collegium noted the high momentum in #RussiaAfrica relations. A strong impetus to this process was provided by the establishment of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum in 2019 and the successful organisation, within this framework, of two summits and the first ministerial conference. Active efforts are underway to expand Russia’s diplomatic presence in the region. In January of this year, a new department – the Department for Partnership with Africa – was formed within the Russian Foreign Ministry to oversee engagement at both pan-African and subregional levels.

The meeting reaffirmed the Russian Federation’s dedication to assisting the African nations in strengthening their sovereignty and countering the neocolonial policies of the collective West, which seeks to maintain dominance over the continent to serve its narrowly self-serving resource, economic, and geopolitical interests.

The session outlined concrete steps to further enhance Russia’s political, economic, cultural, and other ties with African nations and their integration blocs. Emphasis was placed on Russia’s readiness to continue supporting African partners in overcoming security challenges, guided by the African solutions to African Problems principle.

🤝 Special attention was given to preparations for the second ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, scheduled to take place this year in an African state, which will serve as a key milestone ahead of the third Russia-Africa Summit in 2026.

Vladimir Putin expressed support for the idea of establishing a national interdepartmental research and methodology centre for the international promotion of the Russian language under the auspices of one of Russia's universities

The proposal was made by Rector of the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute Nikita Gusev.

See more on the Kremlin’s official website.

🇷🇺🇺🇳 On June 4, the Russian Federation was re-elected to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (#ECOSOC) for 2026-2028 during the UN General Assembly elections in New York. Russia’s bid was supported by two-thirds of the UN member states that took part in the voting.

ECOSOC is one of the six statutory UN bodies, which is responsible for system-wide coordination of the World Organisation’s work on socioeconomic and environmental issues. The Council reviews the implementation of resolutions of UN conferences of relevant profiles, and considers reports of its 20 subsidiary entities and interagency mechanisms. Russia has traditionally been an active participant of these processes.

❗️ Russia’s election to ECOSOC put an end to the politicised campaign carried out by unfriendly countries to block Russia’s candidacy to the Council. By using procedural tricks and undisguised pressure on delegations, Western countries have in every possible way prevented Russia’s return to ECOSOC.

We are grateful to all 115 UN Member States that voted in favour of Russia’s candidacy. We regard this as evidence of trust and support for our country’s foreign policy in the socioeconomic area pursued by the United Nations.

☝️ As a member of ECOSOC, Russia intends to contribute to ensuring the effectiveness and balance of international development efforts and to strengthening genuine multilateralism and depoliticisation. At the same time, the Russian Federation will continue to uphold the interests of the Global South and Global East and countries in special situations, and to promote a constructive dialogue with all stakeholder delegations.

⚡️ Head of the Russian Federation’s Delegation to the Russia–Ukraine direct talks, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Medinsky:

💬 On June 6, in full accordance with the Istanbul agreements, the Russian side launched a humanitarian initiative to transfer 6000 bodies of fallen Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel to Ukraine, and to exchange all wounded and severely ill prisoners of war, as well as those aged under 25.

The first group of 1212 bodies, transported in refrigerated vehicles, has arrived at the designated handover location. Other remains are currently en route.

Furthermore, the first list of 640 POWs, classified as wounded, seriously ill, and the youth, has been submitted to the Ukrainian side to begin the exchange process.

A contact group of the Russian Defence Ministry has arrived at the Ukrainian border.

However, the Ukrainian side has unexpectedly postponed both the repatriation of bodies and the prisoner exchange for an unspecified period.

Their negotiating group was nowhere to be found, they did not even appear, and the explanations provided have been inconsistent and unclear.

❗️ We call on Kiev to strictly adhere to the schedule and agreements reached, and to start the exchange process right away.

As per our mutual agreement, 1200 soldiers and officers from each side should be given the opportunity to return home. We urge the Ukrainian side to collect the bodies of 6000 soldiers and officers so that they may be buried with dignity by their families.

We remain at the site, fully prepared to proceed.

International TV channels, news agencies and correspondents are welcome to arrive and assure themselves of the transparency of our actions.

Russia always keeps its word.

🎖 June 7, 1887, marked the birth of Sidor Kovpak – a recipient of the Cross of St George (3rd and 4th degrees), twice Hero of the Soviet Union, legendary guerrilla commander, and one of the most outstanding leaders of popular resistance against Nazi occupation during the Great Patriotic War.

During World War I, Kovpak served in the 186th Aslanduz Infantry Regiment, where he repeatedly demonstrated unconventional approaches to mission execution and personal bravery. He distinguished himself in the Battle of Kraśnik and during the famed Brusilov Offensive.

🏅 Kovpak began preparing for guerrilla warfare against the invaders literally from the first days of the war: as early as July 3, 1941, with his involvement, the decision was made to form four resistance units, one of which he led, becoming a true nightmare for the Nazi invaders and their collaborators. Under his command, fighters carried out a series of audacious raids deep behind enemy lines.

A defining chapter in his biography was the 1943 Carpathian Raid – one of the largest and most successful guerrilla campaigns. Over a hundred days, Kovpak’s unit fought its way across more than 2’000 kilometres through Nazi-held territory, eliminating or wounding as many as 5’000 enemy soldiers and officers, derailing 19 supply trains, and destroying oil depots and a railway hub in Ternopol.

These operations severely disrupted German troop movements towards Kursk and significantly influenced the outcome of the Battle of Kursk.

💬 At the October celebrations in 1943, Kovpak summarised 26 months of relentless warfare behind enemy lines:

Guerrillas fought across 10’000 kilometres through 18 regions of Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus, exterminated 18’000 fascists, derailed 62 railway supply trains, blew up 256 bridges, destroyed 96 warehouses stocked with food, uniforms, and ammunition, two oilfields, over 50’000 tonnes of oil, more than 200 kilometres of telegraph and telephone lines, 50 communication hubs, up to 500 vehicles, 20 tanks, and armoured cars.

In today's Ukraine under the Kiev regime's heel monuments to Kovpak – like those of many other distinguished anti-Nazi fighters – are being vandalised by local nationalists. The Kiev regime seeks to erase the memory of genuine heroes, replacing them with figures of collaborators and Nazi accomplices, the very forces Kovpak fought against.
 
#FacesOfVictory #Victory80