Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with Newsweek magazine (September 21, 2022)
Key points
#Ukraine
🔹 The United States and its allies are ready to sacrifice Ukraine for the sake of their geopolitical goals. Washington is not interested in establishing peace and tranquillity in Ukraine.
#RussiaUS
🔹 The Russian-American interstate dialogue has been practically frozen owing the United States. It is objectively not possible to maintain normal communication with Washington declaring the strategic defeat of Russia as an objective.
#Sanctions
🔹 Unilateral restrictive measures have failed to shatter the Russian economy. Moreover, the sanctions have appeared to be a two-edge weapon: increasing prices and decreasing incomes are seen in many European countries, as well as energy shortages and threats of social upheavals.
#RussiaChina
🔹 Strategic partnership with China remains an absolute foreign policy priority for Russia. Together with our Chinese friends, we will keep working on improving the world situation, facilitate the creation of a just multi-polar system based on the UN Charter, and, first of all, on the fundamental principle of the sovereign equality of states.
#WorldOrder
🔹 The modern world is no longer West-centred. Today, strong, independent players from developing countries have emerged and they are increasingly visible. These states and their integration associations do not want to participate in the anti-Russian "crusade" instigated from Washington.
Key points
#Ukraine
🔹 The United States and its allies are ready to sacrifice Ukraine for the sake of their geopolitical goals. Washington is not interested in establishing peace and tranquillity in Ukraine.
#RussiaUS
🔹 The Russian-American interstate dialogue has been practically frozen owing the United States. It is objectively not possible to maintain normal communication with Washington declaring the strategic defeat of Russia as an objective.
#Sanctions
🔹 Unilateral restrictive measures have failed to shatter the Russian economy. Moreover, the sanctions have appeared to be a two-edge weapon: increasing prices and decreasing incomes are seen in many European countries, as well as energy shortages and threats of social upheavals.
#RussiaChina
🔹 Strategic partnership with China remains an absolute foreign policy priority for Russia. Together with our Chinese friends, we will keep working on improving the world situation, facilitate the creation of a just multi-polar system based on the UN Charter, and, first of all, on the fundamental principle of the sovereign equality of states.
#WorldOrder
🔹 The modern world is no longer West-centred. Today, strong, independent players from developing countries have emerged and they are increasingly visible. These states and their integration associations do not want to participate in the anti-Russian "crusade" instigated from Washington.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with TASS news agency, Moscow, March 28, 2023
Read in full
💬 We know what we are fighting for. We want to free these people from any threat that the current Ukrainian authorities can create for their lives, traditions, or families. History and geography cannot be chosen. We cannot leave these people to the mercy of Nazis and racists.
#NewSTART #RussiaUS
There are no contacts concerning the New START Treaty with the Americans. They keep sending us notes, protesting and saying we have no right to make the decision we have made. These are legally void arguments.
We have suspended this treaty in full. Our decision to comply with the strategic offensive arms ceilings set in the treaty is nothing more than a gesture of goodwill.
#Transnistria
The overall situation in Transnistria has worsened as a result of the President Sandu-led Moldovan government’s policy that is openly spearheaded against Russia, the Russian people and Transnistria.
Unfortunately, the 5+2 format has been essentially frozen largely due to the West, which decided to take the settlement process into its own hands and impose it on Tiraspol.
The Ukrainian leadership is playing an extremely negative and subversive role as well. In violation of its status as a 5 + 2 format mediator, it sided with Chisinau and is in every possible way supporting its belligerent and destructive aspirations towards Transnistria <...> and demonstrates in every way its readiness to intervene in this process, including with the use of force.
Read in full
💬 We know what we are fighting for. We want to free these people from any threat that the current Ukrainian authorities can create for their lives, traditions, or families. History and geography cannot be chosen. We cannot leave these people to the mercy of Nazis and racists.
#NewSTART #RussiaUS
There are no contacts concerning the New START Treaty with the Americans. They keep sending us notes, protesting and saying we have no right to make the decision we have made. These are legally void arguments.
We have suspended this treaty in full. Our decision to comply with the strategic offensive arms ceilings set in the treaty is nothing more than a gesture of goodwill.
#Transnistria
The overall situation in Transnistria has worsened as a result of the President Sandu-led Moldovan government’s policy that is openly spearheaded against Russia, the Russian people and Transnistria.
Unfortunately, the 5+2 format has been essentially frozen largely due to the West, which decided to take the settlement process into its own hands and impose it on Tiraspol.
The Ukrainian leadership is playing an extremely negative and subversive role as well. In violation of its status as a 5 + 2 format mediator, it sided with Chisinau and is in every possible way supporting its belligerent and destructive aspirations towards Transnistria <...> and demonstrates in every way its readiness to intervene in this process, including with the use of force.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Interview of Russia's President Vladimir Putin to TV host and Rossiya Segodnya Director General Dmitry Kiselev (March 13, 2024):
Key talking points
💬 Russia is not at the crossroads. It is on the strategic path of its development and will not deviate from its path.
#MultipolarWorld
• Many people in the world are looking at us, at what is happening in our country and in our struggle for our interests. <...> They associate our struggle for our independence and true sovereignty with their aspirations for their own sovereignty and independent development.
• This is aggravated by the fact that there is a very strong desire in Western elites to freeze the current unjust state of affairs in international affairs. They've spent centuries filling their bellies with human flesh and their pockets with money. But they must realise that the vampire ball is ending.
#Ukraine
• Are we ready to negotiate? We are. But we are not ready for talks that are based on some kind of ”wishful thinking“, but we are ready for talks based on the realities that have developed on the ground.
• We are open to a serious discussion, and we are eager to resolve all conflicts by peaceful means. However, we must be sure that this is not just another pause that the enemy wants to use for rearmament, but rather a serious conversation with security guarantees for Russia.
#US #RussiaUS
• We know what it is to have American troops on Russian soil. They are interventionists. That is how we will treat them even if they appear in the territory of Ukraine.
• I have said many times that it [achieving the goals of the special military operation & resolving the conflict] is a matter of life and death for us, while for them it is a matter of improving their tactical position in the world on the whole as well as maintaining their status among their allies in Europe in particular.
Read in full
Key talking points
💬 Russia is not at the crossroads. It is on the strategic path of its development and will not deviate from its path.
#MultipolarWorld
• Many people in the world are looking at us, at what is happening in our country and in our struggle for our interests. <...> They associate our struggle for our independence and true sovereignty with their aspirations for their own sovereignty and independent development.
• This is aggravated by the fact that there is a very strong desire in Western elites to freeze the current unjust state of affairs in international affairs. They've spent centuries filling their bellies with human flesh and their pockets with money. But they must realise that the vampire ball is ending.
#Ukraine
• Are we ready to negotiate? We are. But we are not ready for talks that are based on some kind of ”wishful thinking“, but we are ready for talks based on the realities that have developed on the ground.
• We are open to a serious discussion, and we are eager to resolve all conflicts by peaceful means. However, we must be sure that this is not just another pause that the enemy wants to use for rearmament, but rather a serious conversation with security guarantees for Russia.
#US #RussiaUS
• We know what it is to have American troops on Russian soil. They are interventionists. That is how we will treat them even if they appear in the territory of Ukraine.
• I have said many times that it [achieving the goals of the special military operation & resolving the conflict] is a matter of life and death for us, while for them it is a matter of improving their tactical position in the world on the whole as well as maintaining their status among their allies in Europe in particular.
Read in full
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov's interview with 'Izvestia' Multimedia Information Centre (Moscow, June 27, 2024)
#StrategicStability
• So far, I do not see any pre-requisites that would allow Russia and the United States to resume discussions of strategic nuclear arms control future.
• The Americans repeatedly suggested that we [resume the strategic arms talks], but they invariably received the only answer that was possible in the current situation. As long as their behaviour is steeped in nothing but rabid Russophobia, we are not ready for this dialogue.
#BRICS
• Within BRICS <...> there is a consistent increase in the use of national currencies for settlements and in implementing schemes that are protected from Western regulatory pressure. In certain areas, this share already exceeds 80-90 percent.
• So far over 30 countries have already expressed their interest in further rapprochement with BRICS and eventually many of them raise the question of formally joining the association. We cannot but respond to it.
#RussiaUS
• As for lowering the level of diplomatic relations [with the United States and its European partners], I would like to draw your attention to the fact that despite all the upheavals and extreme tension in our relations with what we call the collective West, we have never initiated any steps of this kind. We believe that embassies and their ambassadors are performing an extremely challenging job, especially in the current environment, and we cannot ignore this. We must preserve communications channels, including at the highest level.
• Could lowering the level of diplomatic relations be part of a solution at this point? All I can say is that it can be viewed as a possible option, and we are exploring all these avenues. In Russia, these decisions are taken at the highest level. As long as there are no instructions to this effect, speculating about these prospects is counterproductive. However, our adversaries must know that every step they make brings them closer to a point of no return.
Read in full
#StrategicStability
• So far, I do not see any pre-requisites that would allow Russia and the United States to resume discussions of strategic nuclear arms control future.
• The Americans repeatedly suggested that we [resume the strategic arms talks], but they invariably received the only answer that was possible in the current situation. As long as their behaviour is steeped in nothing but rabid Russophobia, we are not ready for this dialogue.
#BRICS
• Within BRICS <...> there is a consistent increase in the use of national currencies for settlements and in implementing schemes that are protected from Western regulatory pressure. In certain areas, this share already exceeds 80-90 percent.
• So far over 30 countries have already expressed their interest in further rapprochement with BRICS and eventually many of them raise the question of formally joining the association. We cannot but respond to it.
#RussiaUS
• As for lowering the level of diplomatic relations [with the United States and its European partners], I would like to draw your attention to the fact that despite all the upheavals and extreme tension in our relations with what we call the collective West, we have never initiated any steps of this kind. We believe that embassies and their ambassadors are performing an extremely challenging job, especially in the current environment, and we cannot ignore this. We must preserve communications channels, including at the highest level.
• Could lowering the level of diplomatic relations be part of a solution at this point? All I can say is that it can be viewed as a possible option, and we are exploring all these avenues. In Russia, these decisions are taken at the highest level. As long as there are no instructions to this effect, speculating about these prospects is counterproductive. However, our adversaries must know that every step they make brings them closer to a point of no return.
Read in full
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
📰 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with the Türkish newspaper Hürriyet, November 1, 2024
#BRICS
We welcome Türkiye’s interest in strengthening ties with BRICS. This reflects the appeal of the group that is based on respect for the UN Charter, openness, pragmatism, and non-directedness against third parties.
We support the expansion of BRICS relations with countries of the Global Majority, particularly those committed to upholding multilateral approaches, pursuing a sovereign foreign policy, and refraining from participating in unilateral sanctions.
During the Summit in Kazan, a decision was made to strengthen the current composition of BRICS by including partner countries in the group. I am confident that Türkiye can make a meaningful contribution to the ongoing development of BRICS. The parameters for Türkiye’s participation in the group will be determined by consensus, respecting the sovereign choices of all BRICS countries and Türkiye itself.
#MiddleEast
The failure to settle the long-standing Arab-Israeli conflict has sparked a new wave of violence, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians in Gaza. The number of casualties in Lebanon reaches thousands. More and more countries are becoming embroiled in this escalating confrontation.
Russia has condemned Israel for killing political leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as high-ranking Iranian military officials. We asked the UN Security Council to give its assessment of these deeds, but this initiative was blocked by opposition from Western members of the Council.
We urge all parties to refrain from actions that could further escalate violence and lead to a situation beyond control. There will be no winners in this conflict.
The way to normalise the situation lies in halting the bloodshed and creating conditions for a political resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on universal international legal principles. This includes the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders. Only this solution can guarantee lasting peace in the Middle East.
#Ukraine
Russia is open to achieving a political settlement, but this should not merely lead to a temporary ceasefire; it must lead to a resolution of the conflict by eliminating its root causes. These include NATO’s eastward expansion, the creation of threats to Russia’s essential security interests, and the Kiev regime’s infringement on the rights of Russians and Russian-speaking residents of Ukraine.
At the moment, our opponents do not appear to want peace. Ukraine’s reaction to President Vladimir Putin’s peace initiative proposed in June was an invasion of the Kursk Region by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, along with airstrikes on targets in other border areas. Washington and its allies continue to provide extensive support to Kiev, discuss the possibility of using Western long-range missiles for strikes deep into Russian territory. Vladimir Zelensky has not revoked his order prohibiting negotiations with Moscow. Given these circumstances, it seems unlikely that any country, including Türkiye, will succeed in mediation efforts.
#RussiaUS
Whoever wins the election, we see no real prospects of the United States changing its Russophobic course. For our part, we will be ready for dialogue if and when the Americans demonstrate serious intentions to negotiate honestly, based on respect for each other’s interests and the principle of reciprocity.
#BRICS
We welcome Türkiye’s interest in strengthening ties with BRICS. This reflects the appeal of the group that is based on respect for the UN Charter, openness, pragmatism, and non-directedness against third parties.
We support the expansion of BRICS relations with countries of the Global Majority, particularly those committed to upholding multilateral approaches, pursuing a sovereign foreign policy, and refraining from participating in unilateral sanctions.
During the Summit in Kazan, a decision was made to strengthen the current composition of BRICS by including partner countries in the group. I am confident that Türkiye can make a meaningful contribution to the ongoing development of BRICS. The parameters for Türkiye’s participation in the group will be determined by consensus, respecting the sovereign choices of all BRICS countries and Türkiye itself.
#MiddleEast
The failure to settle the long-standing Arab-Israeli conflict has sparked a new wave of violence, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians in Gaza. The number of casualties in Lebanon reaches thousands. More and more countries are becoming embroiled in this escalating confrontation.
Russia has condemned Israel for killing political leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as high-ranking Iranian military officials. We asked the UN Security Council to give its assessment of these deeds, but this initiative was blocked by opposition from Western members of the Council.
We urge all parties to refrain from actions that could further escalate violence and lead to a situation beyond control. There will be no winners in this conflict.
The way to normalise the situation lies in halting the bloodshed and creating conditions for a political resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on universal international legal principles. This includes the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders. Only this solution can guarantee lasting peace in the Middle East.
#Ukraine
Russia is open to achieving a political settlement, but this should not merely lead to a temporary ceasefire; it must lead to a resolution of the conflict by eliminating its root causes. These include NATO’s eastward expansion, the creation of threats to Russia’s essential security interests, and the Kiev regime’s infringement on the rights of Russians and Russian-speaking residents of Ukraine.
At the moment, our opponents do not appear to want peace. Ukraine’s reaction to President Vladimir Putin’s peace initiative proposed in June was an invasion of the Kursk Region by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, along with airstrikes on targets in other border areas. Washington and its allies continue to provide extensive support to Kiev, discuss the possibility of using Western long-range missiles for strikes deep into Russian territory. Vladimir Zelensky has not revoked his order prohibiting negotiations with Moscow. Given these circumstances, it seems unlikely that any country, including Türkiye, will succeed in mediation efforts.
#RussiaUS
Whoever wins the election, we see no real prospects of the United States changing its Russophobic course. For our part, we will be ready for dialogue if and when the Americans demonstrate serious intentions to negotiate honestly, based on respect for each other’s interests and the principle of reciprocity.