📄 XV BRICS Summit Johannesburg II Declaration (Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa, August 23, 2023)

Read in full (Telegraph: part I, part II)

✍️ We, the Leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa met in Sandton, South Africa, from 22 to 24 August 2023 for the XV BRICS Summit held under the theme: "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism".

We reaffirm our commitment to the #BRICS spirit of mutual respect and understanding, sovereign equality, solidarity, democracy, openness, inclusiveness, strengthened collaboration and consensus. As we build upon 15 years of BRICS Summits, we further commit ourselves to strengthening the framework of mutually beneficial BRICS cooperation under the three pillars:

✅ political and security;
✅ economic and financial;
✅cultural and people-to-people cooperation;

and to enhancing our strategic partnership for the benefit of our people through the promotion of peace, a more representative, fairer international order, a reinvigorated and reformed multilateral system, sustainable development and inclusive growth.

Key points:

🇺🇳 We support a comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries in the Council’s memberships.

• We are concerned about ongoing conflicts in many parts of the world. We stress our commitment to the peaceful resolution of differences and disputes through dialogue and inclusive consultations.

• We have decided to invite Argentina 🇦🇷, Egypt 🇪🇬, Ethiopia 🇪🇹, Iran 🇮🇷, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 and the UAE 🇦🇪 to become full members of BRICS from 1 January 2024.

🇧🇷🇮🇳🇨🇳🇿🇦 Brazil, India, China and South Africa extend their full support to Russia 🇷🇺 for its BRICS Chairship in 2024 and the holding of the XVI BRICS Summit in the city of Kazan, Russia.

📄 President Vladimir Putin congratulated current staff and veterans of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Diplomatic Worker’s Day.

💬 Vladimir Putin: The Russian Foreign Ministry rightfully takes pride in its rich history and glorious traditions. Throughout history, its employees have honourably protected the interests of the Motherland in the international arena despite any difficulties and challenges.

In the current geopolitical landscape, amidst a hybrid war unleashed against us and attempts by the collective West to isolate Russia and undermine its security, the Foreign Ministry faces difficult and responsible tasks.

Russian diplomacy aims to make a significant contribution to creating favourable external conditions for our country’s dynamic development, fostering effective cooperation with foreign partners, and promoting a positive agenda in international relations. It also seeks to strengthen the unity of the global majority – of countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America – in order to build a just multipolar world order based on true equality, mutual respect, and universally recognised norms of international law.

❗️ Efforts to enhance cooperation with #CIS countries, expand the integration process within the #EAEU, and strengthen ties within the #CSTO and the Union State remain a top priority. Special attention should be given to the proper implementation of tasks and responsibilities during Russia’s chairmanship of the CIS and of the expanded #BRICS association.

Undoubtedly, there is significant need for efforts aimed at uniting the multinational and multi-religious Russian community through supporting our compatriots abroad, promoting the Russian language and showcasing national cultural and scientific achievements, as well as countering attempts to falsify history and revise the outcomes of World War II.

I am confident that staff members at the Ministry’s head office and foreign missions will continue to work with utmost dedication, creativity, and initiative.

#DiplomatsDay

⚡️ 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.

📄 Read in full

📰 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.

Read in full

🇷🇺🇻🇳 President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin met with Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh

💬 Vladimir Putin: The Russian-Vietnamese relations of trust and mutual understanding have come a long way <...> and have stood the test of time with honour.

The Soviet Union, as you also noted, provided effective assistance in the Vietnamese people’s heroic struggle against the French and later the American invaders, and subsequently contributed to the peaceful development of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

In recent decades, we have significantly expanded the legal framework for cooperation. In addition to the cornerstone Treaty on Foundations of Friendly Relations, which just recently turned 30 years old, more than 80 interstate and intergovernmental agreements are now in place between our countries. A number of important bilateral documents were also signed during the current visit.

👉 Read in full

Educational cooperation continues; the government has established a quota of 1,000 university scholarships with state grants to admit Vietnamese citizens next year.

Russia will host Days of Vietnamese Culture this year. Vietnamese athletes took part in the #BRICS Games earlier this month.

Many Russian cities and regions, including Moscow, St Petersburg, the Kaluga, Rostov and Ulyanovsk regions, are active in cooperating with cities and provinces of Vietnam.

🤝 I would like to underscore that despite all the current challenges, we are committed to strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the Russian Federation and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and we will do our utmost to advance it. I hope that this visit will serve to strengthen our ties; I have no doubt about it.

#RussiaVietnam

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement and answers to media questions at a joint news conference following talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus Sergey Aleinik (Minsk, June 24, 2024)

💬 Sergey Lavrov: I would like to once again express my gratitude to our Belarusian friends for your warm hospitality and excellent arrangements during my official trip to the Republic of Belarus.

Our talks were held in a trust-based and friendly atmosphere, were quite substantive and covered an extensive number of issues.

We focused on important international matters. We compared notes on numerous aspects of bilateral cooperation, including interministerial interaction and foreign policy alignment.

Key talking points:

• Our absolute priorities include foreign policy support for the Union integration and strengthening international positions of the Union State, the 25th Anniversary of which we will celebrate on December 8, 2024.

• We will provide every bit of assistance to our Belarusian allies in order to get them fully onboard at the #SCO and various #BRICS mechanisms as soon as possible.

• We condemn the Western countries’ actions that have led to the Ukraine crisis and the final collapse of the security system in Europe, based on the Euro-Atlantic principles. In this context, we have paid special attention to the prospects for creating a new architecture of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia, inviting all countries in our common continent to cooperate in this process.

• Our proposal [on Eurasian security] is addressed to all those who are willing to consider the prospect for creating a new security system on an equitable basis with regard for the interests of all countries on the continent and based on the balance of these interests, excluding any outside interference.

• We reiterated our commitment to jointly uphold traditional values and the historical truth, and to prevent the rewriting of history and the glorification of Nazism.

• We noted the counterproductive consequences of politicising international cultural, humanitarian, scientific and sports relations.

• We focused on creating a common Union State space in defence and security. We noted that the joint regional grouping of troops and forces deployed in the Republic, as well as advanced Russian defence complexes and tactical nuclear weapons which reliably shield our common western borders in accordance with the decisions of the presidents of the two countries, are quite helpful in achieving this goal.

Read in full

#RussiaBelarus

🎙 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

🇷🇺🇰🇿 President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin met with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who will chair the 24th meeting of the SCO Summit in Astana on July 4.

💬 Vladimir Putin: Mr Tokayev, thank you for the invitation.

We appreciate the efforts Kazakhstan has invested to make this event possible. It is in its early phase, but we can already see its scale. It certainly has an international dimension not formally, but substantively. This is my first point.

Second, I would like to note that Kazakhstan, on the one hand, and Russia, on the other hand, are chairing a number of international organisations and hold forums. You are chairing the #SCO and the #CSTO, and Russia is chairing #BRICS and the #CIS. We will support and help each other in this regard.

I would like to thank you for inviting me to pay a state visit to Kazakhstan. Without a doubt, timing my visit to the CSTO Summit is the most rational choice. We will definitely do it. Thank you for the invitation. I certainly accept it.

🤝 With regard to our bilateral relations, we maintain contact at all times. Still, I would be remiss not to note that trade has expanded to almost US$30 billion, over US$28 billion, which is impressive. With over 17 percent of Kazakhstan’s trade, Russia is among its key trade and economic partners.

We are pursuing many important areas of cooperation marked by high levels of collaboration, and many interesting projects. I propose discussing this today as well.

#RussiaKazakhstan

🎙 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.

📄 Read in full

🇷🇺🇺🇿📞 President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin spoke over the phone with President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The two Leaders discussed key aspects of the rapidly developing bilateral cooperation across various sectors. The discussion also touched on current international and regional issues, with due regard to Russia’s current #BRICS Chairmanship.

Both Parties reaffirmed their commitment to steadily enhancing the alliance and strategic partnership between Russia and Uzbekistan.

The Presidents also agreed upon future contacts.

#RussiaUzbekistan

🇷🇺🇦🇿 From the Joint Statement of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on the results of bilateral talks with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev (19 August 2024)

💬 Vladimir Putin: Russia attaches great importance to developing a comprehensive and friendly relationship with Azerbaijan. This relationship is based on the principles of equality, respect for each other's interests, and, of course, the close personal and cultural ties that have brought our nations together for centuries now.

The Joint Statement we adopted outlines ambitious goals for advancing our bilateral relations dynamically. Additionally, the documents signed today will support the achievement of these goals.

The key economic cooperation issues are constantly monitored by our colleagues on the intergovernmental commission. Its latest meeting, held in Baku ahead of our visit, was highly productive.

Cultural ties are actively expanding. In June, Azerbaijan successfully hosted Days of Russian Culture, featuring exhibitions, concerts, theatrical performances, and other vibrant cultural events.

We also touched upon current international developments. In foreign policy, both our countries firmly adhere to the principles of the supremacy of international law, the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs.

🤝 Russia and Azerbaijan closely coordinate their efforts at key multilateral platforms, including the #UN and naturally, the Commonwealth of Independent States. We will be delighted to see the President of Azerbaijan at the meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council in Moscow in October, as well as at the outreach meeting to be held in the same month as part of the #BRICS summit in Kazan. <...>

Russia will continue to make utmost efforts towards the normalisation of Azerbaijani-Armenian interaction and the conclusion of a peace treaty based on the well-known trilateral agreements reached by the presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia between 2020 and 2022.

☝️ I am sure that the talks held and the agreements reached today will serve to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Russia and Azerbaijan.

#RussiaAzerbaijan

🇷🇺🇹🇲 On October 11, President of Russia Vladimir Putin had a meeting with the national leader of the Turkmen people and Speaker of Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

💬 Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much, Mr Berdimuhamedov. I am also delighted to see you. In fact, we have not met for quite some time, and I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to have this face-to-face meeting with you and this conversation.
Russia and Turkmenistan have built a positive track record in promoting their strategic partnership, which is largely attributable to your efforts. You laid the groundwork for forging this close, trust-based relationship between our countries. We sincerely welcome this position and will do everything to maintain this momentum.

We have developed a positive relationship with the current President, which includes both official and personal ties. He regularly visits Russia, and was there just recently for the #CIS summit in Moscow. We look forward to seeing him in Kazan at the #BRICS Leaders’ Summit. I believe that these meetings will be quite interesting and beneficial. There will be many countries there. In fact, as of today, 35 countries have registered to attend the summit. We also expect to see your President at the CIS leaders’ meeting in St Petersburg on New Year’s Eve.

There has been positive momentum in our trade and economic ties, and effective projects are underway.

🤝 We see progress in our region-to-region ties. In fact, 6️⃣0️⃣ Russian regions have been working closely with their friends and partners in Turkmenistan. It is quite natural for Tatarstan, the Astrakhan Region, as well as St Petersburg to lead the pack in this category.

Read in full

#RussiaTurkmenistan

🎙 President of Russia Vladimir Putin met with journalists from BRICS countries ahead of the XVI BRICS Summit in Kazan (October 18, 2024)

Read and watch in full

Key talking points:

• In the modern world, creating nuclear weapons is not a difficult task. I do not know whether current-day Ukraine is capable of doing this now though. It is not easy for Ukraine today, but generally there are no big difficulties in this regard, with everyone knowing how it is done. <...> I can say straight away: under no circumstances will Russia allow this to happen.

• NATO is waging war against us with the hands of the Ukrainian soldiers, and Ukraine spares no lives for the interests of third countries, but Ukraine on its own does not use high-tech weapons: NATO does that.

• What sets BRICS apart from many other international organisations/fora? #BRICS was never meant to be created to oppose anyone. It is a group of countries that work together, guided by shared values, a common vision for development, and, most importantly, by the consideration of each other’s interests.

• In certain sectors, humanity’s existence is impossible without the BRICS countries, particularly in food and energy markets and so on.

• Russian-Chinese cooperation on the global stage is undoubtedly one of the key pillars of strategic stability worldwide.

• We do not interfere in [bilateral relations of other countries]. If there are any issues arising and if there is something that depends on us, we are ready to offer our services in resolving these issues, if they arise and if the participants in the corresponding process are interested in any involvement from our side.

• The United States should not have destroyed the [Middle East] Quartet. it worked, it was easier to agree on all positions. But the US monopolised the work, took all the responsibility and eventually failed.

• The main method to resolve the Palestinian issue is to create a full-fledged Palestinian state.

• 95% of Russia’s foreign trade with its partners is being done in national currencies. The United States did it themselves.

• The International Criminal Court has no universal power. This is an international organisation whose jurisdiction Russia does not recognise, like many other countries.

🎙 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview to the newspaper "Arguments and Facts" (October 21, 2024)

Key Points:

#BRICS

• BRICS epitomises the shifts that have long been underway in the global economy. New centres of economic growth are emerging, and alongside them comes financial influence, which in turn brings political influence.

• BRICS is a consortium where no single nation leads or is led, devoid of the bureaucratic machinery akin to that observed in Brussels, where EU officials impose decisions that contravene the will and interests of several member states, failing to align with the aspirations of voters across many countries.

• BRICS does not stand in opposition to any entity, nor does it orchestrate operations or initiate projects. BRICS is committed to enhancing the combined potential of its nations and devising collaborative strategies for harnessing these potentials for mutual benefit.

• What makes BRICS and other World Majority or Global East associations that do not include Western countries stand out, is that they are not created for the purpose of struggling or fighting with anyone. They are established to collectively benefit from their competitive advantages such as geographical location, shared history, cultural and humanitarian proximity <...>.

#USA

• The US is unwilling to relinquish the reins of power that they have held since World War II through the Bretton Woods institutions and through the role assigned to the US dollar in the international monetary system, even after free exchange of US dollars for gold had been cancelled.

• The key goal of the US ruling class is to make sure no one can undermine their dominance. This goal is illusory. The historical process is objectively heading in a different direction, and this has to be reckoned with.

• We are ready to interact with any administration voted in by the American people, but only if such a dialogue is mutually respectful, and both parties listen and hear what the other party has to say.

#Ukraine

• On multiple occasions, European leaders from Brussels have repeatedly made it clear that they must support Ukraine for as long as it takes, because Ukraine is fighting for the European values.

• It turns out that European leaders are still willing to uphold Nazi values, which is why denazification is not just a motto, but an objective of utmost importance.

#UN

• The United Nations is not a valiant knight expected to “charge in and extinguish the fire” upon witnessing injustice. The UN is an assembly of its member states, each with established rules, including the Security Council's veto rights. The United States has effectively exercised this right five times over the past year, blocking a resolution proposed by several countries, including Russia, demanding an immediate ceasefire. <...> Presently, the United States is taking every measure to avoid antagonising Israel.

• Nations such as India, Brazil, and African representatives should have long held permanent seats on the Security Council. This is essential to ensure representation of the World Majority.

#Finland #Sweden #NATO

• The zeal that the Finns and Swedes are showing in NATO, advocating for defeating Russia, is not only rooted in their historical instincts. They are also eager to show their Big Brothers in the North Atlantic Alliance that they have brought added value <...>.

• I am confident that reasonable people in Europe, who have learned the lessons taught by history, see this too, including in Finland and Sweden.

#Europe

• To reiterate, the so-called right-wing conservatives are loyal to their countries and their people. We will engage with anyone who approaches us with a proposal to talk, to seek common ground, and to think about how we can jointly make the lives of our citizens better.

#EurasianSecurity

• We suggest discussing the Eurasian continent-wide security architecture, emphasising the fact that its doors will be open to everyone, including countries from the West of the Eurasian continent.

Read in full (Telegraph)

🎙 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview to the newspaper "Arguments and Facts" (October 21, 2024)

Key Points:

#BRICS

• BRICS epitomises the shifts that have long been underway in the global economy. New centres of economic growth are emerging, and alongside them comes financial influence, which in turn brings political influence.

• BRICS is a consortium where no single nation leads or is led, devoid of the bureaucratic machinery akin to that observed in Brussels, where EU officials impose decisions that contravene the will and interests of several member states, failing to align with the aspirations of voters across many countries.

• BRICS does not stand in opposition to any entity, nor does it orchestrate operations or initiate projects. BRICS is committed to enhancing the combined potential of its nations and devising collaborative strategies for harnessing these potentials for mutual benefit.

• What makes BRICS and other World Majority or Global East associations that do not include Western countries stand out, is that they are not created for the purpose of struggling or fighting with anyone. They are established to collectively benefit from their competitive advantages such as geographical location, shared history, cultural and humanitarian proximity <...>.

#USA

• The US is unwilling to relinquish the reins of power that they have held since World War II through the Bretton Woods institutions and through the role assigned to the US dollar in the international monetary system, even after free exchange of US dollars for gold had been cancelled.

• The key goal of the US ruling class is to make sure no one can undermine their dominance. This goal is illusory. The historical process is objectively heading in a different direction, and this has to be reckoned with.

• We are ready to interact with any administration voted in by the American people, but only if such a dialogue is mutually respectful, and both parties listen and hear what the other party has to say.

#Ukraine

• On multiple occasions, European leaders from Brussels have repeatedly made it clear that they must support Ukraine for as long as it takes, because Ukraine is fighting for the European values.

• It turns out that European leaders are still willing to uphold Nazi values, which is why denazification is not just a motto, but an objective of utmost importance.

#UN

• The United Nations is not a valiant knight expected to “charge in and extinguish the fire” upon witnessing injustice. The UN is an assembly of its member states, each with established rules, including the Security Council's veto rights. The United States has effectively exercised this right five times over the past year, blocking a resolution proposed by several countries, including Russia, demanding an immediate ceasefire. <...> Presently, the United States is taking every measure to avoid antagonising Israel.

• Nations such as India, Brazil, and African representatives should have long held permanent seats on the Security Council. This is essential to ensure representation of the World Majority.

#Finland #Sweden #NATO

• The zeal that the Finns and Swedes are showing in NATO, advocating for defeating Russia, is not only rooted in their historical instincts. They are also eager to show their Big Brothers in the North Atlantic Alliance that they have brought added value <...>.

• I am confident that reasonable people in Europe, who have learned the lessons taught by history, see this too, including in Finland and Sweden.

#Europe

• To reiterate, the so-called right-wing conservatives are loyal to their countries and their people. We will engage with anyone who approaches us with a proposal to talk, to seek common ground, and to think about how we can jointly make the lives of our citizens better.

#EurasianSecurity

• We suggest discussing the Eurasian continent-wide security architecture, emphasising the fact that its doors will be open to everyone, including countries from the West of the Eurasian continent.

Read in full (Telegraph)

🇷🇺🇧🇾 On October 31, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Maxim Ryzhenkov met on the sidelines of the 2nd International Conference on Eurasian Security.

The two Ministers discussed the current bilateral and international agenda, praised bilateral cooperation and coordination in the international arena in accordance with the Programme for Coordinated Foreign Policy Action by the States – Parties to the Treaty Establishing the Union State for 2024–2026.

🤝 They reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening integration within the Union State, including defence and security cooperation. The parties stressed their resolve to stand together with like-minded people against the sanctions and legal pressure of the collective West. They also expressed readiness to step up cooperation within the leading associations of the Global Majority countries, including the #SCO and #BRICS.

He ministers outlined the schedule of further contacts, including the annual joint meeting of the collegiums of the Russian and Belarusian Foreign Ministries in late November this year.

#RussiaBelarus

📰 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.