⚡️ Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation:

The Press Bureau of the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation (SVR) reports* that the leadership of the EU and a number of its leading member states has once again sunk to a new low in its madness and political irresponsibility driven by pathological Russophobia.

According to information received by the SVR, Brussels has now embarked on a dangerous path that will inevitably undermine the foundations of the global security architecture and the international non-proliferation regime for weapons of mass destruction – all for the sake of advancing its design for a new “Drang nach Osten”.

In the endless corridors of EU headquarters, secret work has already begun on the issue of creating the Union’s own nuclear weapons production capability – naturally, as Brussels claims, solely to deter the mythical Russian threat. Apparently, Ursula von der Leyen and her associates now find their role as the arsonists of the Ukrainian conflict too modest. They dream instead of the sinister notoriety of the leaders of Hitler’s Germany who unleashed the Second World War.

At the initial stage, von der Leyen and her accomplices have agreed to maintain the strictest secrecy around these preparations. To distract both the international and European public, Brussels is outwardly demonstrating adherence to its traditional course of relying on the US “nuclear umbrella”. The EU leadership hopes this will buy time to covertly build up its own nuclear-industrial base and prepare public opinion to accept a political decision to acquire nuclear weapons.

During this period, the UK and France will continue to strengthen coordination between their national nuclear doctrines. At a later stage, plans call for the formalisation of a pan-European doctrine of nuclear deterrence based on the French and British military-technical capabilities, as well as on the financial and infrastructural contributions of non-nuclear EU member states. At the same time, the EU intends to reserve for itself the option of establishing a fully autonomous command structure for nuclear forces.

These plans rest on a serious industrial and technological foundation.

☢️ It is noteworthy that Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden and Spain already possess substantial expertise in the development of certain components of nuclear weapons. These countries have both civilian and military-industrial capacities that could be used to produce such components.

Large quantities of irradiated nuclear fuel from decommissioned nuclear power units are stored on their territories. There is a possibility of its unauthorised removal from storage sites for the subsequent extraction of plutonium suitable for use in an atomic bomb.

German specialists, in particular, are reportedly capable of covertly obtaining enough weapons-grade plutonium for a single nuclear explosive device within approximately one month in the hot cells of research laboratories in Karlsruhe, Dresden, Erlangen and Jülich, and enough weapons-grade uranium within a week at the enrichment facility in Gronau.

❗️ We call on the US administration and the leadership of all other countries to do everything possible to prevent the EU from acquiring its own nuclear weapons, which would inevitably trigger a new round of the global nuclear arms race.

*Unofficial translation

⚡️ Russian Foreign Ministry's statement on the outcome of the UN Security Council’s consideration of the situation in the Persian Gulf (April 8, 2026)

On April 7, the UN Security Council voted on a draft resolution on ensuring the security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the adjacent waters, prepared by Bahrain with the participation of Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Eleven members of the Security Council voted in favour, while two countries – Colombia and Pakistan – abstained.

❌ Russia and China voted against.

As a result, the document was not adopted.

In recent days, through various channels, including during contacts between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Arab counterparts, efforts were made to convince our friends not to rush the vote on a draft that could have undermined peace efforts aimed at resolving the situation in the Persian Gulf.

🎙 Explanation of vote by Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia

Thanks to the sound position adopted by the UN Security Council at the insistence of Russia and China, the necessary conditions were secured for reaching understandings on a ceasefire and launching a negotiating process. We are convinced that these should extend to all theatres of confrontation, including Lebanon.

We welcome the creation of a proper atmosphere for a political and diplomatic process. We understand that its outcome is not predetermined. Russia, together with all reasonable members of the international community, will actively contribute to achieving practical results in favour of the earliest possible restoration of peace in the Persian Gulf and across the Middle East.

At the same UN Security Council meeting on April 7, Russian representatives announced their intention, with the support of their Chinese partners, to submit for the Council’s consideration an alternative draft resolution aimed at an immediate cessation of hostilities, support for the ongoing diplomatic efforts and peace initiatives. We hope that this balanced document will be supported by all members of the Security Council.

☝️ Russia stands for the freedom of maritime navigation everywhere, not only in the Strait of Hormuz and the adjacent waters, but throughout the World Ocean. It is essential to preclude attacks on the commercial fleet of all countries, and to open corridors for Cuba and Venezuela. This problem must be resolved comprehensively and in cooperation with all countries concerned.

We appreciate the position of the Arab countries, which have become hostage to the situation created by the US and Israel.

👉 However, we are convinced that without ending the unprovoked aggression against Iran and without taking Tehran’s views into account, the problem of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz cannot be resolved.

⚡️ By decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, a ceasefire has been declared ahead of the Orthodox Easter – from 4:00 p.m. on April 11 until the end of April 12, 2026.

The Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation Andrey Belousov and the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation – Commander of the Joint Grouping of Forces – Army General Valery Gerasimov have been instructed to halt combat operations in all areas for this period.

👉 Russian troops are to remain ready to repel any possible provocations by the enemy, as well as any aggressive actions on its part.

We proceed from the assumption that the Ukrainian side will follow Russia’s example.

📰 Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation Igor Krasnov's article for RBC newspaper (April 8, 2026)

“Legal Gravity”

✍️ In recent years, major business players have often found themselves weighing which jurisdiction to choose for resolving complex commercial disputes. Many lawyers still remember the time when it was considered “fashionable” to designate London or New York in cross-border contracts as the venue for possible litigation.

In today’s world, however, this dilemma has long ceased to be a matter of “prestige”. It is now, rather, a question of predictability, risk management and the legal gravity into which the disputed assets may be drawn.

☝️ I will try to answer the question of why Russian jurisdiction is today the best venue for securing fair and impartial justice.

Speaking of its advantages, the first point to note is the high degree to which domestic legislation has been developed and the clarity of judicial procedure. A dispute does not “drift” between doctrines, as often happens in Anglo-Saxon legal systems, but proceeds within a strictly delineated corridor.

The second advantage – the high degree of predictability of case law grounded in statute. Through the resolutions of the Plenum and Presidium of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, clear legal positions are formulated without excessive casuistry. There is a well-known expression: “Law exists not in norms, but in their application”. The Russian system gives this idea particularly consistent effect through the unification of law-enforcement approaches.

Russian courts examine cases far more quickly than many of their foreign counterparts. In international arbitration, dispute resolution takes on average between one and a half and three years, whereas domestic commercial courts usually do so within three months, and the overall duration of proceedings, including appeal and cassation review, generally ranges from six to twelve months.

As for the cost of access to justice, the gap between Russia and foreign countries is not merely noticeable – it is fundamental. Court expenses, including state duty and legal representation, are incomparably lower in Russia than in many foreign jurisdictions. This changes the very nature of a dispute, because the defence of one’s rights ceases to be the privilege of major players alone. In our country, law performs its basic function – to be an instrument, not a luxury.

Another advantage of Russian jurisdiction is the fairly high degree of efficiency in granting interim relief – attachment of property, bans on registration actions, and other protective measures. In circumstances where assets may be instantly redistributed or concealed, this is of critical importance.

Russian commercial courts also demonstrate a clear appellate structure. In international arbitration, awards are generally final and not subject to review on the merits. The only available control mechanism is an application to set aside the award before the court at the seat of arbitration, and even then the grounds are strictly limited by complex procedural requirements.

***

👉 The recommendation to choose Russian jurisdiction for litigation is not an advertisement for its universal appeal, or a competition with London or New York. It reflects an objective reality characterised by adherence to the law and fairness in decision-making, and all reforms in the domestic judicial system are aimed at achieving this particular outcome.

In any case, unlike foreign jurisdictions, justice in Russia remains more impartial and predictable. Most importantly, it is accessible to all economic agents regardless of the country of origin or the colour of the claimant’s or defendant’s passport.

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