📃 Russian FM Sergey Lavrov’s article for South Africa’s Ubuntu Magazine (August 21, 2023)

BRICS: Towards a Just World Order

Key points:

💬 Tectonic shifts are taking place in the world today. <...> We are witnessing the emergence of a more just multipolar world order. New centers of economic growth & of global decision-making on important political issues in Eurasia, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa & Latin America are guided primarily by their own interests & assign paramount importance to national sovereignty.

🇷🇺 Russia continues to work towards further democratization of international life, building an architecture of inter-State relations that would be based on the values of equal & indivisible security, and cultural & civilisational diversity, and would provide equal opportunities for development for all members of the international community with no one left behind.

• Russia has consistently stood for strengthening the position of the African continent in a multipolar world order. We will further support our African friends in their aspirations to play an increasingly significant role in resolving the key problems of our time.

• #BRICS is a symbol of true multipolarity and an example of honest inter-State communication. Within its framework, States with different political systems, distinctive value platforms & independent foreign policies effectively cooperate in various spheres.

📈 The population of the BRICS countries is over 40 percent & the area of their territories exceeds a quarter of the world's land. According to experts' forecasts, in 2023 the five countries will account for about 31.5 percent of global GDP (at purchasing power parity), while the share of the G7 has fallen to 30 percent in this indicator.

• It is natural that our grouping has many like-minded countries around the world. BRICS is seen as a positive force that can strengthen the solidarity of the Global South & Global East & become one of the pillars of a new, more just polycentric world order.

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📰 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with the Brazilian newspaper O Globo (February 21, 2024)

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#G20

It became clear that relying on just one centre of economic power is not a viable approach and most recently the G20 has engaged in a dialogue to reform and to restore the functionality of global economic institutions.

The positive dynamics of this forum are largely attributable to the fact that emerging markets are acting independently and insisting on fair consideration of their interests.

☝️ It is important for the G20 countries to commit to not weaponise the economy and to not engage in unfair competition.

#BRICS

🌐 Strengthening the potential and role of BRICS in international affairs is our priority.

BRICS members represent different economic and political systems, religions, and macro-regions and are able to work together as equal partners. Its international standing is steadily growing.

#Ukraine

❗️The root causes of the Ukraine crisis need to be eliminated if we want to achieve a sustainable and fair settlement. The West must stop supplying weapons to Ukraine, and Kiev must stop hostilities.

Ukraine should reinstate its neutral, non-aligned, and non-nuclear status and ensure the rights and freedoms of its citizens. It is critical that the basis be the new territorial realities and the situation on the ground.

#RussiaUS

👉 The ruling elite of the US views Russia as an adversary and a threat regardless of its party affiliation. The former president did nothing to improve Russia-US relations during his four-year stint in the White House.

We have no illusions and do not expect the anti-Russian course of the US to change in the foreseeable future. We are prepared to work with any leader who wins the American people’s trust. What matters to us is not specific political figures, but their policies towards Russia. President Putin made that clear recently in his televised interview.

⚡️ From President Vladimir Putin's Address to the Federal Assembly (February 29, 2024)

Key talking points:

• Just like any other ideology promoting racism, national superiority or exceptionalism, Russophobia is blinding and stupefying. The US and its satellites have, in fact, dismantled the European security system which has created risks for everyone.

• We need to shore up the forces in the western strategic theatre in order to counteract the threats posed by NATO’s further eastward expansion, with Sweden and Finland joining the alliance.

• A new equal and indivisible security framework must be created in Eurasia in the foreseeable future. We are ready for a substantive discussion on this subject with all countries and associations that may be interested in it. At the same time, I would like to reiterate (I think this is important for everyone) that no enduring international order is possible without a strong and sovereign Russia.

• We strive to unite the global majority’s efforts to respond to international challenges, such as turbulent transformation of the world economy, trade, finance, and technology markets, when former monopolies and stereotypes associated with them are collapsing.

• The principles of equality and respect for each other’s interests guide us in our interactions with our partners. This is why more and more countries have been proactive in seeking to be part of the activities of the #EAEU, the #SCO, #BRICS and other associations involving Russia.

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📰 Aide to the President of Russia for Foreign Policy Yuri Ushakov's interview with TASS (March 5, 2024)

Key talking points:

💬 Cooperation within #BRICS is undoubtedly one of the key features of Russia's long-term foreign policy.

• Russia, as the current president of the organization, has a special responsibility to ensure the fastest and smoothest integration of the new members into the operation of all BRICS mechanisms. This is undoubtedly a cornerstone and high priority task of our Presidency.

• In the relatively short period of its existence, the BRICS association has rapidly developed and transformed into an extensive multi-level mechanism of interaction on a wide range of issues on the global agenda.

🌐 Many perceive BRICS as a prototype of multipolarity, a structure uniting the Global South and East on the principles of equality, sovereignty and mutual respect.

• Support for the principles of multipolarity and a greater role of developing countries in global governance, as well as the fundamental values of the BRICS group, such as the spirit of equality, mutual respect, openness, inclusiveness and constructive cooperation, is an indispensable condition [for joining BRICS].

• We see increasing the role of BRICS counties in the international currency and financial system as a specific task for this year. <...> We believe that creating an independent BRICS payment system is an important goal for the future.

• There has never been a military aspect to cooperation within our group. <...> BRICS does not have plans to build such cooperation, including military drills.

☝️ Russia has never set BRICS in opposition to other international platforms, be it the Group of 20 or the Group of Seven. We believe that the association is unique.

• The recipe for BRICS’ attractiveness and success is based on the absence of a confrontational or “hidden” agenda. I will repeat that it brings together like-minded countries.

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🇷🇺🇮🇳 President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, on an official visit to Russia, held talks in the Grand Kremlin Palace.

💬 Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister, this is your first official visit after your reappointment following parliamentary elections. I would like to congratulate you on this once again.

Our countries have long-time friendship and good relations that have evolved over the decades. This year, we are marking the 77th Anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Today, our relations have the status of a specially privileged strategic partnership. We are in permanent contact, and we prioritise the development of trade and economic ties. Certainly, their development meets the interests of the people of India and the peoples of the Russian Federation.

📈 Last year, our trade soared by 60 percent and even more, by 66 percent; it increased by an additional 20 percent in the first quarter of 2024.

🌐 We cooperate closely on the international arena, including at international organisations, primarily the #UN and such associations as the #SCO and #BRICS.

Yesterday, we had an opportunity to discuss virtually all practical issues in an informal setting. I am grateful to you for devoting attention to the most acute issues and for trying to find some options for resolving the Ukraine crisis, primarily by peaceful methods.

Mr Prime Minister, we will be delighted to see you in Kazan this autumn at the upcoming BRICS Summit.

At the end of my opening remarks, I would like to wish you new successes in facilitating the development of the Indian state. You and I know each other for a long time, and I know that your entire life is devoted to implementing the idea of strengthening the Indian state and improving the life of the people of India.

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#RussiaIndia

🎙 Statement by FM Sergey Lavrov during the UNSC meeting on multilateral cooperation in the interest of a more just, democratic and sustainable world order

📍 New York, July 16, 2024

💬 Today, the very foundations of the international legal order - strategic stability and the UN-centric system of international politics - are put to the test. We won’t be able to resolve the mounting conflicts unless we understand their root causes and restore faith in our ability to join forces for the common good and justice for all.

Let’s face it: not all countries represented in this chamber recognise the key principle of the UN Charter which is the sovereign equality of all states. Speaking through its presidents, the US has long declared its exceptionalism. This applies to Washington’s attitude towards its allies, whom it demands to be unquestioningly obedient even to the detriment of their national interests.

👉 Rule, America! This is the thrust of the notorious “rules-based order” which presents a direct threat to multilateralism and international peace.

The most important components of international law - the UN Charter and the resolutions of our Council - are interpreted by the collective West in a perverse and selective manner, depending on the instructions coming from the White House.

Key talking points:

• Washington’s hegemonistic policy has been the same for decades. Absolutely all schemes of Euro-Atlantic security were based on America’s domination, including the subjugation of Europe and the “containment” of Russia. The main role in this was assigned to NATO, which has ultimately tramped down the European Union that had been created to serve Europeans. The alliance has unceremoniously privatised OSCE bodies in brazen violation of the Helsinki Final Act.

• The unrestrained enlargement of NATO, which went on for years contrary to Moscow’s warnings, has also provoked the Ukraine crisis that began with the state coup organised by Washington in February 2014 to seize full control of Ukraine and use the neo-Nazi regime they brought to power to prepare an attack on Russia.

• NATO’s military infrastructure is moving into the Pacific with the obvious aim of undermining the ASEAN-centric architecture, which has for many decades been built on the principles of equality, mutual interests and consensus.

• Where are the free market attributes that the US and its allies have been telling everyone to follow for so many years? Market economy, fair competition, inviolability of private property, presumption of innocence, freedom of movement of people, goods, capital and services - all of these have been scrapped.

• The pivotal element of the reform of the UN should be the reshuffle of the UN Security Council, <...> which clearly has too many representatives of the collective West. A badly needed step is to reach the broadest accord possible on the concrete parameters of the reform, which should increase the representation of Asia, Africa and Latin America.

• The personnel policy of the UN Secretariat should be changed as well to eliminate the domination of Western citizens and subjects in the administrative UN bodies. The UN Secretary-General and his staff must faithfully and with no exceptions comply with the principles of impartiality and neutrality.

• #BRICS and the #SCO are playing an increasing role in the development of a just multilateral world based on the principles of the UN Charter. Their member states represent different regions and civilisations whose interaction is based on equality, mutual respect, consensus and mutually accepted compromises, which is the golden standard of multilateral cooperation involving great powers.

❗️ The UN will be able to overcome current disagreements and to reach consensus on most issues if everyone, without exception, honours its letter and spirit. “The end of history” has failed to materialise. Let us work together in the interests of launching the history of genuine multilateralism that reflects the entire wealth of cultural and civilisational diversity of the world’s nations.

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks and answers to media questions following his visit to the United States within the framework of Russia’s UN Security Council Presidency

📍 New York, July 17, 2024

💬 I came to New York for two key events – open debates – that were held yesterday and today within the framework of Russia’s UN Security Council Presidency. Not only members of the Security Council but all other delegations could attend them. You saw how many of them did so.

The first issue we proposed for discussion yesterday concerned the conceptual framework of international relations, multilateralism and multipolarity. We pointed out the gradual erosion of system that was created after the Second World War on the basis of the central role of the UN.

I hope that you listened to my statement and to the statements made by other participants. We did not expect to come to agreement on the majority of issues, considering the current tensions on the international stage and the state of relations between the collective West and the Global Majority.

☝️ Although we had no big illusions, I believe that it was a useful discussion. At the very least, the overwhelming majority of participants agreed that we have problems. Many of them expressed opinions that coincide with our vision of the objective development of a multipolar world order, which I presented in my statement.

Another conclusion is that this discussion will most certainly be continued. There is an apparent interest for this, and it is growing. We will actively keep it up, and we will organise additional discussions on this issue not only at the UN but also at other multilateral platforms, including at the Group of Twenty, at associations such as #BRICS and the #SCO, as well as in the framework of our contacts with the regional organisations of Asia, Africa and Latin America.

The restoration of trust is the top priority now, as the representative of Guyana pointed out yesterday. So far, there was no hint of dialogue. Another important statement he made was that trust could only be rebuilt if all parties without exception comply with the agreements reached. This is not the case so far. Examples of that were provided yesterday in my statement and in the statements of other participants.

Overwhelming evidence of that was also provided during today’s open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. The overwhelming majority of the UN resolutions on Palestine have not been implemented. The second debate I have mentioned is not over yet. Many speakers have called for taking resolute steps. We hold a similar view. The first steps must include the termination of hostilities, a permanent ceasefire, the settlement of critical humanitarian problems and, of course, the termination of Israel’s actions to create illegal settlements. We hope that if or when this is done, this will create conditions for resuming negotiations on the implementation of UN decisions on the establishment of the Palestinian state that would live in peace and security with Israel.

<...>

🤝 I have held a series of bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Arab countries, with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Peter Szijjarto, and with Head of the Federal Department (Minister) of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis.

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🇧🇷 On September 7, the Federative Republic of Brazil celebrates Independence Day.

🗓 #OnThisDay in 1822, Prince Pedro, the son of Portuguese King John VI, pronounced the famous phrase, "Independence or Death", which marked the end of the 322-year-long Portuguese rule.

A movement for Brazil’s independence originated long before that landmark day. In the late XVIII century, Brazilian revolutionary and national hero Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, known as Tiradentes, became the leader of a clandestine group in Minas Gerais whose goal was to create an independent republic. Although their plot was exposed, Tiradentes has become the symbol of the Brazilians’ struggle for independence.

The Brazilian national liberation movement gained momentum amid Napoleon’s expansion in Europe in the early XIX century, the proclamation of independence by Spanish colonies, and the 1820 bourgeois revolution in Portugal. It ultimately led to the establishment of the Empire of Brazil and the declaration of its independence from Portugal.

A respected member of the international community, modern Brazil is rightfully regarded as a leading political and economic force on the international stage with a major role in dealing with many current issues on the regional and global agenda.

🤝 Diplomatic relations between Russia and Brazil were established on October 3, 1828, but their development began back in 1811, when Emperor Alexander I appointed the first Russian consul general to Rio de Janeiro.

🇷🇺🇧🇷 Today, Russian-Brazilian relations are developing sustainably in the atmosphere of trust, friendship and mutual understanding based on the similarity of views on many global issues. Our two countries are closely cooperating within the UN, #BRICS and #G20.

💬 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov: The further strengthening of friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Russia and Brazil meets the interests of our peoples, facilitates the maintenance of international security and makes a tangible contribution to resolving global development problems.
(from the remarks at the opening ceremony of an exhibition on the 195th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Brazil, Moscow, November 27, 2023).

🎊 We extend our heartfelt greetings to our Brazilian colleagues and friends on their national holiday and wish them well-being and prosperity!

#RussiaBrazil