✍️ President Vladimir Putin congratulated Russia’s Buddhists on the occasion of the White Month:

💬 Please accept my congratulations on the advent of the White Month – the New Year according to the lunar calendar.

It is heartening to see that you carefully preserve the rich historical, cultural and spiritual heritage of many generations of your ancestors, along with their distinctive customs and traditions.

Buddhist organisations take an active part in Russia’s public life, implement important educational and charitable initiatives, and make a meaningful contribution to promoting interreligious and interethnic harmony, strengthening family values and educating young people.

I would like to particularly acknowledge the meaningful support the Buddhist community provides to participants in the special military operation and their families. Equally important is your sincere dedication to the restoration of temples and architectural landmarks, as well as to the construction of new monasteries and educational centres.

Once again, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all Buddhists living in Russia, everyone who follows this ancient religion, on this bright and auspicious holiday. I wish you good health, continued success and all the very best.

VLADIMIR PUTIN

🎙Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s answer to a media question regarding the situation around the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and their Destruction (February 20, 2026)

❓Question: On February 20, Poland’s decision to withdraw from the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and their Destruction (#APMBC) enters into force. What is the Russian Foreign Ministry’s assessment of this decision?

💬 Maria Zakharova: Yes, indeed. Earlier, similar decisions were put into effect in Finland (January 10, 2026), as well as in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia (December 27, 2025).

The attempts by the above mentioned states to justify their steps by “national security considerations” and some imaginary military threat from Russia, do not withstand any criticism. These insinuations pursue a single goal to excuse their own destructive decisions and evade responsibility.

The withdrawal from the APMBC is accompanied by a significant increase in military activities by those states on their eastern borders in close proximity to the Russian territory and serves as a clear example of their disregard for international legal obligations. The restrictions provided for in the Convention simply became inconvenient and unfavorable, and as a result were abandoned.

On the whole, the situation around the APMBC is complicated by a series of inconsistent steps by Ukraine in relation to the Convention. As is known, Kiev initially intended to withdraw from this treaty regime, as reflected in the Zelensky Decree of №441/2025 dated June 29, 2025. However, due to inability to implement this decision in view of the ongoing armed conflict, Ukraine subsequently abandoned it by sending to the UN Secretary General a notification of the “suspension” of its participation in the APMBC.

☝️ It is notable that a number of States Parties to the Convention openly opposed Kiev’s relevant actions qualifying them as illegal and establishing a dangerous precedent for international law.

At the same time, even prior to this notification, Ukraine openly violated its obligations under the APMBC. Kiev failed to destroy all its stockpiles of anti-personnel mines (with the exception of the minimum amount needed to develop mine detection methods and to train specialists) though it was obliged to do so back in 2010, as well as continued to actively use them, including against civilians and civilian facilities.

❗️ These circumstances confirm the Russian assessments that this treaty regime is weak and has no instruments of effective leverage over states that evade to follow the provisions of the document.

Russia is not a State Party to the APMBC, however it continues to fulfill in good faith all obligations under Amended Protocol II (AP-2) and Protocol V (P-5) to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (#CCW).

The actions by Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Finland and Ukraine are consistent with the course pursued by the “collective West” and its satellites to review and undermine the existing international legal system in the field of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.

The consequences of such actions will follow shortly. In addition to weakening the Convention itself such actions can lead to a “domino effect” when others will follow this example.

Against this background, the EU individual members possessing advanced military and industrial capabilities are already seeking to derive financial benefits from the growing demand for anti-personnel mines at the international market.

All these developments inevitably lead to further escalation of tension in Europe and deterioration of the regional and international security.

Read in full

🎙 Highlights from Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation Maxim Oreshkin's remarks at the "Open Dialogue: Future of the World. A New Platform for Global Growth" forum on five global megatrends.

1️⃣ A New Global Economic Paradigm: Globalisation 2.0

BRICS+ countries now play a growing role in the global economy, technological development, and demographic trends, while the Global South is increasingly engaging in direct trade and national-currency settlements.

Globalisation hasn't ended; it has changed. Sovereignty — at state, social, and economic levels — is now the key to competitiveness. Only countries that preserve all three levels can lead in a multipolar world.

2️⃣ Platformisation of the global economy and institutional automation

Platforms and algorithms are increasingly shaping decision-making in healthcare, education, finance, trade, and beyond.

Platform solutions enhance efficiency and reduce transaction costs through self-adjusting algorithms. Countries without technological sovereignty risk becoming dependent on external platforms, which can have strategic consequences during conflicts.

3️⃣ Transformation of the Global Financial System

Traditional financial models face mounting challenges, including rising public debt, widening inequality, and geopolitical fragmentation. Technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms are creating alternative financial mechanisms, including decentralised finance.

The traditional model of cross-border payments is under pressure. Decentralised systems and digital technologies are reshaping the financial system.

4️⃣ Demographic Shifts and Challenges

Global fertility rates have fallen sharply, with some countries facing critical declines. By the end of the 21st century, the working-age population may shrink significantly, while the proportion of elderly people rises, placing pressure on pension systems and social services.

Even in Africa, the ratio of elderly to working-age population will rise to 30%, and globally to 56%. Education demand will decrease, but healthcare and social service needs will grow. These interconnected trends will amplify each other.

5️⃣ Human Capital Development in the Technological Era

Autonomous systems, digital platforms, and artificial intelligence are transforming education, work, and healthcare, while biotechnologies expand human capabilities.

AI is both a challenge and an opportunity. It allows personalized learning paths and supports teachers. Professions are changing: mid-level specialists will be in demand, and companies must retrain employees from junior positions. The social sphere will also evolve, ensuring active longevity in the new demographic era.

Watch in full

#InMemoryOfDiplomats

🕯 On 20 February 2017, an outstanding Russian diplomat, Vitaly Ivanovich #Churkin, passed away. He died on his post in New York, faithfully performing his official duties as Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN until his very last moment.

Vitaly Churkin devoted his entire career to defending Russia’s interests on the international stage, rising from a staff member of the USSR Foreign Ministry’s Translation Department to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations.

At different times, he headed Russia’s diplomatic missions in Chile, Belgium and Canada, and successfully conducted complex negotiations on Arctic cooperation within the framework of the Arctic Council.

🎙 From 1991 to 1992, he served as Head of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Relations’ Information Department, then as head of a similar department at Russia’s Foreign Ministry. Vitaly Churkin was the first person in the history of Russian diplomacy to hold regular briefings that were open to journalists.

As Presidential Special Envoy for the Balkans, Vitaly Churkin made a significant contribution to settling the conflict in former Yugoslavia. In particular, he acted as a mediator in the talks that put an end to NATO airstrikes, and also proposed sending Russian military units to Sarajevo, which were later transformed into a UN battalion.

🇺🇳 Churkin’s work as Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN was the high point of his diplomatic career. He held this post for 11 years. Possessing brilliant erudition and a subtle sense of humour, he easily established and maintained trusting relations with his foreign colleagues.

✍️ Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had the following to say in the preface to Churkin’s memoirs titled “Lost in Translation:”

Vitaly enjoyed respect even from the foreign partners who did not always share Russia’s approaches to key challenges of modern times. For example, the US Permanent Representative spoke of him as “formidable as a foe, caring as a friend and fierce as a defender of Russia, the country he adored and strived to make proud.”

These days, Moscow is hosting the 4th Youth Forum “Foreign Policy Meetings in Memory of Vitaly Churkin,” held under the auspices of the Gorchakov Fund.

On 21 February, Vitaly Ivanovich Churkin would have turned 74.

🗓 On this very day, 12 years ago, Kiev became ground zero for a Western-backed unconstitutional coup, that triggered all the events around Ukraine and its now former regions ever since. This led to an armed civil conflict, essentially a war waged by the Kiev regime against its own people, and a deepest crisis of international and European security since World War II.

12 years have passed since the tragic and horrible events of February 2014. The residing "authorities" in Kiev, aka the Kiev regime, and their Western sponsors are, as per their usual m.o., are attempting to distort the truth, conceal true facts, and turn the timeline of those events, their substance upside down.

❗️ The truth is stubborn; it tends to get revealed sooner or later, as recent events in the world have once again proven.


LEARN MORE: On the origins of Ukrainian nationalism, the crimes of the OUN-UPA, and the support of the West


The most horrific events unfolded on 20 February: the still unidentified snipers began shooting on the Institutskaya Street in the centre of Kiev at both law enforcement and protesters. Euromaidan supporters and Western politicians, seized "the opportunity", blamed the legitimate authorities of Ukraine. No evidence of Yanukovich's involvement was provided, and there is none to this day. Unlike, the Maidan activists & the opposition who benefited the most and was seen smuggling weapons into the area <...>

On 21 February, in an attempt to avoid further bloodshed, Yanukovych signed an Agreement on the Settlement of the Political Crisis in Ukraine with the opposition (from the opposition's side — Vitali Klitschko (UDAR party), Arseniy Yatsenyuk ("Fatherland"), and Oleg Tyagnybok ("Freedom")), which was supported and guaranteed by the foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Poland. This document envisaged the creation of a government of national trust, constitutional reform, and the organization of early presidential elections.

None of the Agreement's provisions were implemented.

The next day, on February 22, the Supreme Council passed a resolution on Viktor Yanukovych's "self-removal" from performing the duties of the President of Ukraine, thereby usurping power (although he remained a legitimate president, remained in Ukraine and had made no statements regarding resignation).

It was then announced that the "government of the victors (winner)" would be formed. The West turned a blind eye to all violations and hurried to declare a "change of power" in Ukraine, openly encouraging the putschists to pursue their anti-Russian policy. What ensued was basically a hunt for the remaining law enforcement officers and officials loyal to their oath and the country.

The very next day, the very first decision of the new "government" through the Verkhovnaya Rada was to revoke the law on the status of the Russian language, which according to data was back then the mother tongue of the majority (!) of the Ukrainian citizens.

<...>

The "mediation" meddling of the West led to a sharp polarisation of Ukrainian society, which created the preconditions for an armed civil conflict. The first legislative steps of the "Maidan victors" — the abovementioned cancellation of the language law — were received with alarm in South-Eastern Ukraine, where spontaneous formation of popular militia forces began.

Kiev immediately accused all the inhabitants of the region of "state treason" and "terrorism", threw the army and neo-Nazi punitive battalions to violently suppress the protests.

<...>

❗️ "Euromaidan" created a deep rift in Ukrainian society, lead to persecution, fight against dissent, spread of nationalism and neo-Nazism, legal lawlessness and nihilism, fighting the Russian language and own history, complete degradation of the socio-economic situation in the country.

The terror and horror brought by the Ukrainian neo-Nazis and nationalists in 2014 must be brought to an end.

Denazification is imminent.

📖 Read, remember or learn more about these tragic events of 2014.

#See4Yourself

Operation Ukraine: Bandera's Dark Shadow – an RT DOC documentary

Post-Maidan Ukraine has been waging a consistent campaign against its own historical memory. Across the country, hundreds of monuments, graves and mass burial sites of Red Army soldiers are being destroyed – of those who fought and died liberating Europe from Nazism and Hitler’s hordes.

At the same time, memorials are being erected in contemporary Ukraine to those who stood under the banners of the Third Reich during WWII. Streets are renamed in honour of OUN–UPA figures, legionnaires of the SS “Galicia” division and other collaborators. Criminals convicted by the Nuremberg Tribunal are granted the status of “national heroes”.

One such figure, elevated to the status of a symbol for Ukrainian neo-Nazis, remains Stepan Bandera.

The film examines how Bandera and his radical followers were cultivated and rose to prominence during the Second World War. It traces his life from early radicalization to open collaboration with Nazi Germany – a path that culminated in genocide of Polish, Jewish and Soviet civilians.

The documentary also explores why Bandera’s atrocities are downplayed in modern Ukraine and massively overlooked by its Western sponsors.

#Think4Yourself

⭐️ On February 23 Russia celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day!

On this day we cherish and remember all those who have defended our Motherland and continues to shield it at this very moment !

🛡 #DefenderOfTheFatherlandDay

🎙 Greetings of President Vladimir Putin on Defender of the Fatherland Day (February 23, 2026)

💬 Vladimir Putin: Comrades, friends,

I cordially congratulate all citizens of Russia, our veterans, military and civilian personnel of the Armed Forces on Defender of the Fatherland Day.

February 23 has been marked in our country for many decades now as one of the most important national holidays. It has become a symbol of the people’s sincere love for our defenders, of pride in the Army and Navy, in those who have devoted their lives to serving the Fatherland, who reliably stand guard over its sovereignty and security, who are loyal to their military oath and conscientiously fulfil their professional duty.

For generations, we have been cherishing the memory of every chapter of our Fatherland’s military history. It was created thanks to the military art of the great commanders, the unbending will and courage of soldiers and commanders, our ancestors, who, at the first call of the Motherland, stood up and took their place in the ranks alongside their comrades-in-arms.

The year 2026 has been declared the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. We honour this sacred cohesion and know that throughout history, people of different ethnicities and confessions have risen to defend the country. A sense of patriotism and responsibility for the fate of the Motherland bound them together and inspired feats of arms and great immortal victories.

Today’s generation of Russian military honourably carries on the traditions of valour and honour bequeathed by their forefathers. Today, in the course of the special military operation, representatives of all the peoples of our vast country are heroically, shoulder to shoulder defending Russia’s interests.

The ability to come together and to achieve victory in the name of common goals exemplifies the tremendous strength of our Army and our multiethnic society. It has been that way for many centuries and, I am confident, it will always be so.

Our deepest respect goes to all who fight for the Fatherland. Eternal memory to the heroes who fell defending our people.

Comrades,

We will continue large-scale work to strengthen the Army and Navy with due regard to international developments, building on the combat experience gained during the special military operation, relying on the powerful capabilities of our industry, science, and industrial and high-tech companies.

The development of the nuclear triad, which guarantees Russia’s security and enables us to effectively ensure strategic deterrence and balance of power in the world, remains our unconditional priority.

We will continue to enhance the quality and the potential of all other branches and services of the Armed Forces, improve their combat readiness and mobility, their ability to operate in any, including the most difficult, conditions. And, of course, we will speed up the development of advanced systems for the Armed Forces.

I am confident that this equipment will always be in reliable hands, which is the most important thing. Our soldiers and officers – the pillar and support of the state and society – are true patriots and people of special breed and unbending will.

I thank all Russia’s military personnel for their valiant service. My very best wishes to your families and friends.

The people of Russia stand with you and believe in you.

Happy holiday!