"Wish me luck in battle" - cadets performed Viktor Tsoy's famous "Blood Group" while going to the rehearsal Victory Parade

A parade formation of Moscow cadets performed Viktor Tsoi's song "Blood Group", a native and favorite song of many Russians. Some Muscovites were lucky enough to witness its talented performance by an even formation of young people. They marched past them on their way to the already dress rehearsal of the Victory Parade.

Russian fighter jets also prepared for their heavenly triumph as part of the dress rehearsal, as they flew the Russian tricolor over Moscow. The city froze in anticipation of one of the most important events in the history of the Russian people, as did St. Petersburg, where the last preparations for Victory Day were also completed.

❗️On the human rights situation in the US (from Russia's MFA report)

Washington declares its commitment to upholding the principle of universality of fundamental human rights and freedom. In fact, the situation in the US is nowhere near the international standards:

🔻 A system-wide racism and police misconduct flourish;
🔻 National minorities find themselves victims of discrimination and social inequality;
🔻 The homeless issue remains outstanding;
🔻 Immigrants and prisoners, including those under age, face continuous oppression of their liberties;
🔻 Journalists do not feel safe and become victims of attacks;
🔻 The plans of the American Administration to close the Guantanamo special isolator remain unfulfilled.

Citizens' dissatisfaction with violations of voting rights only deepens the divide within American society. Alternative views are more often subject to censorship in mass and social media.

Numerous violations of human rights and freedoms remain in focus of the criticism coming from relevant international structures and non-governmental institutions.

The report of the UN Human Rights Committee (HRC) published in November 2023 <...> notes the lack of positive moves in addressing significant deficiencies in the criminal legal system. There is a reference to serious violations of voting rights, of the rights to non-interference in private life, freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assemblies and associations.

👉 No one has been held accountable for the systematic human rights abuses committed in the secret detention system run by the CIA, including enforced disappearances, torture and other ill-treatment.

👉 The government's inability to protect people from constant gun violence continues to violate their rights, including the right to life, personal security and freedom from discrimination. In 2020, at least 44 thousand people died from gun violence.

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🎙 FM Sergey Lavrov’s interview with Bosnian Serb television network ATV (Moscow, May 5, 2024)

Key talking points:

• We will not participate in any events that promote Zelensky’s peace formula in one way or another. This much has been clear to everyone for a long time. We are serious about being open to negotiations based on the reality.

• I am aware of <...> the French’ claim to a role in Europe and the world. It cannot be ruled out that Macron needs this “caveman Russophobia” to become Europe’s leader.

• What they [the West] want is to subdue the Serbs. <...> They believe that the Serbs are too restive and independent in their actions since they refused to join the sanctions against Russia.

• Everyone knows about the total chaos reigning in Kosovo. Still, our Western colleagues have no qualms casting Kosovo nothing short of a beacon of democracy. Democracy was something alien for this territory at all times.

• The West is trying to create an anti-Russia and an anti-China coalition. An anti-Russia coalition is their immediate goal, while an anti-China one is being knocked together in anticipation of the moment when China emerges as the main threat (that’s how they call it) and the main adversary.

• Relations between Russia and China are much firmer, stronger and more reliable than the military alliances of the past century. <...> Without this Russia-China link, the situation on the international stage would have been much worse.

• Europe is struggling with tremendous economic problems because the US is using it above all to support Ukraine and wage a war against Russia. Everyone is predicting the demise of Germany as an industrial miracle. That miracle rested on the cheap and reliable Russian pipeline gas.

• The Americans have destroyed the system of arms control and are unable to work honestly in the humanitarian and economic spheres. We believe that the Euro-Atlantic security model has discredited itself and failed. We are now speaking about creating a Eurasian system of security.

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🇷🇺 Vladimir Putin has been inaugurated as President of Russia in a ceremony that took place at the Kremlin (May 7, 2024)

💬 In these solemn and crucial moments of assuming the office of the President, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the citizens of Russia across all regions of our country, as well as those living in the historical territories of Russia who have won their right to stand united with our Motherland.

I humbly honour our heroes, the participants in the special military operation, and all those who are fighting for our Fatherland.

I would like to thank you again for the trust you have placed in me and for your unwavering support. These words are directed to every citizen of Russia.

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🌐 We have been and will continue to be open to strengthening good relations with all countries that view Russia as a reliable and honest partner. Indeed, those constitute the global majority.

We are not rejecting dialogue with Western states. The choice is theirs: whether they intend to continue trying to contain Russia’s development, continue the policy of aggression, the relentless pressure they have been exerting on our country for years, or seek a path to cooperation and peace.

To reiterate, we are open to talks, including on security and strategic stability, but not to negotiations from a position of strength. We are open to a conversation without arrogance, conceit or exceptionalism – a dialogue on an equal footing and with respect for each other’s interests.

Together with our partners in Eurasian integration and other sovereign development centres, we will continue to build a multipolar world and an equal and indivisible security system.

<...>

☝️ We stand as a united and great nation. Together we will overcome all obstacles and ensure that everything we conceive becomes reality. Together we win!

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