⚡ Russian trade relations with Asia have increased by 60%, with the Middle East by two times, with Africa by 69%, and with Latin America by 42%.

Vladimir Putin provided the data at the plenary session of SPIEF 2024. Here are the key takeaways on international agenda from his speech:

Shifting trade dynamics
🔹 Russia remains a key player in global trade, actively expanding its geographical reach.
🔹 Russia is restructuring its import and export flows, with friendly nations now accounting for three-quarters of its trade turnover.
🔹 The focus will be on supporting non-resource and non-energy exports.
🔹 Exports of finished high-tech products have increased. Russia is prepared to offer other countries full-fledged, full-cycle technological partnerships.

Transport and Logistics
🔹 The volume of cargo transportation along international routes through Russia is expected to grow by 50%.
🔹 A key project in this area is the development of the Eastern Polygon of railways.

Northern Sea Route and Arctic Development
🔹 Recognizing the demand for global transportation arteries, Russia will continue developing the Northern Sea Route (NSR).
🔹 In 2023, 36 million tons of cargo were transported via the NSR. This figure could exceed 150 million tons in the future.
🔹 A commission dedicated to the development of the Arctic and the NSR will be established within the Russian State Council.

Financial sovereignty and BRICS expansion
🔹 The share of settlements in rubles for Russian exports has tripled to 39%.
🔹 Russia will enhance the security of cross-border payment infrastructure, particularly within the BRICS framework.
🔹 The BRICS’ share of global GDP has reached 36%, while its population share stands at 46%.

@RoscongressDirect
#SPIEF2024

🇷🇺🇱🇦 Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Laos Saleumxay Kommasith hold a meeting on the sidelines of the #BRICS Ministerial

📍 Nizhny Novgorod, June 10

#RussiaLaos

❗️ Joint Statement of the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations (Nizhny Novgorod, June 10, 2024)

📄 Full Statement

1. The BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations met on 10 June 2024 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation. They exchanged views on major global and regional trends and issues. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the framework of #BRICS Strategic Partnership under the three pillars of cooperation – politics and security, economy and finance, cultural and people-to-people exchanges. They reaffirmed their commitment to the BRICS spirit featuring mutual respect and understanding, equality, solidarity, openness, inclusiveness, and consensus.

<…>

5. Mindful of the 2023 Johannesburg II Declaration the Ministers voiced their support for a comprehensive reform of the #UnitedNations, 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 so that it can adequately respond to prevailing global challenges and support the legitimate aspirations of emerging and developing countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America, including BRICS countries, to play a greater role in international affairs, in particular in the United Nations, including its Security Council. They also recognized the legitimate aspirations of African countries, reflected in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.

<…>

15. The Ministers recognised the negative impact on the world economy and sustainable development from unilateral approaches in breach of international law. They expressed concern about the use of unilateral coercive measures, which are incompatible with the principles of the Charter of the UN and produce negative effects on economic growth, trade, energy, health and food security notably in the developing world.

<…>

32. The Ministers recalled their national positions concerning the situation in and around #Ukraine as expressed in the appropriate fora, including the UN Security Council and UN General Assembly. They noted with appreciation relevant proposals of mediation and good offices aimed at peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

<…>

34. The Ministers expressed grave concern at the deterioration of the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in particular the unprecedented escalation of violence in the #Gaza Strip as a result of the Israeli military operation that led to mass civilian displacement, death and casualties, and destruction of civilian infrastructure. In this regard they called for the effective implementation of the relevant UNGA resolutions and UNSC resolution 2720 and for immediate safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale directly to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip <…>

36. The Ministers reiterated that the principle “African solutions to African problems” should continue to serve as the basis for conflict resolution on the African continent. In this regard they reiterated their support for African peace efforts on the continent, including those undertaken by the African Union, and African sub-regional organisations.

<…>

40. The Ministers expressed strong condemnation of any acts of #terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed. They strongly condemned the inhumane terrorist attack on 22 March 2024 at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow <…>

54. The Ministers expressed their full support to the Russian Federation’s BRICS Chairship in 2024 under the theme “Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security”. They expressed their commitment to working together to ensure the success of the XVI BRICS Summit. The Ministers looked forward to the next BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations meeting to be held on the margins of UNGA79 and hosted by Brazil as incoming Chair of BRICS in 2025.

Dear friends!

As you might have noticed we haven't been active on Facebook lately. It is due to the fact that we had technical difficulties with our old page.

We cherish every subscriber we had on this platform and believe it is important to continue to share with you developments and achievements of the #ASEANRussia Strategic Partnership.
So warm welcome to all of you at our new official page! 🥳🙏👏

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560523492146&mibextid=ZbWKwL

🎥 Ambassador of Russia to #ASEAN Evgeny Zagaynov’s video greetings on the Day of Russia 🇷🇺.

👨‍🚀 🩰🔬📚Major achievements and famous names in Russian history.
🇷🇺🌏 Foreign policy and #ASEANRussia relations.

🇷🇺 Happy Russia Day!

#RussiaDay #IloveRussia #WeAreRussia #RussiaDay2024

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at an extended meeting with the participation of the Foreign Ministers from the Global South and the Global East (June 11, 2024, Nizhny Novgorod)

💬 Welcome to Russia and Nizhny Novgorod, a beautiful city, the beauty of which and the feelings of the residents of which you had the chance to enjoy yesterday.

Today’s meeting reflects the efforts of #BRICS members to develop ties with the stakeholder countries from the Global South and the Global East, the countries of the Global Majority,

in order to identify solutions to the most pressing global issues faced by all members of the international community without exception.

We are witnessing a profound transformation of international relations triggered by the formation of a fairer and polycentric system of international order, which would reflect the entire gamut of cultural and civilisational diversity of the modern-day world and ensure the right of every nation to determine its own future and its own path of development.

The stronger voice of the Global Majority, i.e. the countries of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean, which are not part of the collective West, is a major trend now.

Only by uniting our ranks can we truly effectively promote a vision of a just future shared by all of us. In this context, it is important to strengthen the role of the country-to-country groups that advocate balanced and equitable approaches to international development.

We are talking about the formats which reflect the principles of equitable cooperation in practice rather than in words. These include, along with BRICS, #SCO, #AfricanUnion, #EAEU, #CIS, #ASEAN, #LAS, #CELAC, #GCC, #IORA and many other organisations. The chairs of many of these organisations are here with us.

We believe it is important to establish contacts between all such integration entities which operate at regional levels, on the one hand, and our global association BRICS, on the other hand. This will promote gradual and mutually respectful harmonisation of approaches to the issues facing all associations.

The strengthening the international legal framework and collective decision-making on global issues is now at the forefront. Only in this case will those decisions be effective and legitimate.

This principle is laid down in the UN Charter. Unfortunately, the collective West’s decisions, especially in the economy, finance, trade and more, increasingly fail to comply with the fundamental principles of the UN Charter.

Our countries have largely overlapping approaches to reforming the system of multilateral institutions, including the UN and the UN Security Council, as well as addressing the post-pandemic recovery of the global economy and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals approved by the UN General Assembly.

🤝 We look forward to discussing all these issues today.

🇵🇭 Today the Republic of #Philippines celebrates #IndependenceDay!

🎉 We congratulate our Philippine colleagues and friends on the National Day! We wish them peace, prosperity and well-being!

📰 Russia's Ambassador to ASEAN Evgeny Zagaynov's article “Russian National Day: Celebrating Unity and Heritage" in Antara News (12 June, 2024)

👉 Read in full

Key talking points:

🔹 Russia 🇷🇺 is a country with a centuries-long history and unique cultural heritage. Remarkable achievements and contribution of the Russian people to the world's science, literature, and arts are an inherent and essential part of the global heritage.

🔹As one of the founders of the United Nations, Russia has consistently advocated respect for the UN Charter while being committed to the values of multilateralism, universally recognized principles and norms of international law, and equitable international cooperation.

🔹Today, Russia develops amid the continuing tectonic changes in the geopolitical landscape. Despite rampant anti-Russian propaganda as well as the unprecedented avalanche of illegal unilateral coercive measures, Russia remains one of the key actors in global political and economic affairs.

🔹 The #ASEANRussia Partnership has evolved steadily, with both sides working together to promote regional stability, economic development, connectivity, resilience, and people-to-people exchanges. As confirmed recently by the President of the Russian Federation, “promoting strategic partnership with #ASEAN is a major foreign policy priority for us”.

🔹Russia strongly supports the pivotal principles of ASEAN centrality and unity. They are of particular importance nowadays, when the same countries that instigated the Ukrainian crisis pursue their policy of division and confrontation in regional processes and structures.

🔹Russia's joint initiatives have deepened its mutual understanding and collaboration with ASEAN Member States, contributing to peace and progress in the Asia-Pacific region.

🇷🇺🇹🇭 On June 10, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Maris Sangiampongsa on the sidelines of the meeting of the #BRICS Foreign Ministers in Nizhny Novgorod.

During the conversation, prospects for the development of Russian-Thai cooperation in priority areas were discussed, including promoting political dialogue, further building up trade and economic ties and cultural exchanges, as well as issues of combining efforts on international platforms.

Current issues on the regional agenda were discussed.

#RussiaThailand

🇷🇺🇱🇦 On June 10, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Saleumxay Kommasith in the BRICS Plus/Outreach format on the sidelines of the #BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting in Nizhny Novgorod.

During the meeting, the Ministers discussed the state of Russia-Laos strategic partnership, as well as the prospects for further advancement. They focused on the implementation of agreements reached following talks between the Leaders of the two countries in Moscow on May 9.

The discussion also covered regional and global issues of mutual interest, as well as the #RussiaASEAN Dialogue Partnership in the context of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s chairmanship of #ASEAN in 2024. Additionally, they exchanged views on interaction within the #SCO and other multilateral formats, including BRICS.

The conversation took place in a friendly and trust-based atmosphere, which is a traditional feature of Russia-Laos relations.

#RussiaLaos

🖋 Article «The humanity should get rid of the colonial system heritage. Colonial powers’ time is up» by Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russian Federation, Chairman of the United Russia Party

Key points:

• There is brazen interference in the affairs of independent states, which, unfortunately, still continues in various forms. Despite humanity’s persistent efforts to eradicate neocolonialism, the Western world vehemently resists it.

• The former colonial powers persist in exploiting dependent countries, enhancing their own comfort through the humiliation and oppression of others – albeit employing more sophisticated tools and methods.

• According to experts (American experts, for all their bias), between 1946 and 2000, the United States interfered in elections in other countries more than 80 times. Since 1945, there have been more than 50 attempted coups and military interventions. Of the 174 cases of restrictive measures applied in the 20th century, the United States was responsible for 109. <…> In fact, America has become a global sanctions neo-metropolis.

• In order to preserve its geopolitical presence in various parts of the world, the West relies on the so-called debt neo-colonialism . <…> The neo-colonial powers are using financial institutions under their control and extensively exploiting the difficult socioeconomic situation in many countries of the Global South to induce them to borrow at interest rates that are higher than those offered to the so-called golden billion countries.

• Neo-metropolitan powers have also been targeting certain countries in Latin America, Asia and Africa with their disruptive efforts in order to control their natural wealth, including critical minerals. They focus on gaining unrestricted access to lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt and rear earth deposits they need for transitioning to a low-carbon economy.

❗️ The fight against neocolonialism is not an eternal confrontation for the sake of confrontation itself. It is primarily a progressive movement of states towards civilisational sovereignty, which is crucial in avoiding degradation and devastation in the 21st century. <…> Only fully sovereign countries that have independence in domestic and foreign affairs will be able to effectively counteract the deliberate efforts of the former metropolises to impose unequal economic and political deals on them.

• Investigation of colonial crimes that do not have a statute of limitations should be placed at the forefront of this activity. It is necessary to consider the creation of a single public database (register) of crimes of the colonial period, as well as modern neocolonial practices, at the UN, and work out a scale to evaluate the damage caused by war crimes committed on their territory.

• Neo-metropoles should be hit where it hurts the most, in their wallets, which they are filling largely by exploiting the rest of the world. We believe that the payment of compensations to the victims of neocolonial practices should be based on clear, legally considered and substantiated evidence. Political and diplomatic assessments must be complemented with a legal evaluation of their actions.

• We wish the best of luck to our African and Latin American colleagues. Their success, including in establishing an anticolonial tribunal (akin to the Nuremberg Trials), will be a major step towards depriving the Global North of its domination and towards building a fair multipolar world order.

📄 Read in full

🎙 On June 14, President of Russia Vladimir Putin held a meeting with the senior officials of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

💬 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov: Mr President! <...> Let me welcome you to this meeting on behalf of the entire staff. <...> I am confident that today’s meeting will enable us to specify all the areas of our practical work on the international stage.

💬 President Vladimir Putin: <...> I think it is important to assess the current situation in global and regional affairs, as well as set the appropriate tasks for the Foreign Ministry. Learn more

***

⚡️ Today, we are presenting another concrete and genuine peace proposal.

If Kiev and Western capitals reject it again, as they have done before, then ultimately, it becomes their responsibility, both political and moral, for the ongoing bloodshed. <...>

❗️I repeat our firm stance: Ukraine should adopt a neutral, non-aligned status, be nuclear-free, and undergo demilitarisation and denazification <...>.

Certainly, the rights, freedoms, and interests of Russian-speaking citizens in Ukraine must be fully protected. The new territorial realities, including the status of Crimea, Sevastopol, Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions as parts of the Russian Federation, should be acknowledged.

These foundational principles need to be formalised through fundamental international agreements in the future. Naturally, this entails the removal of all Western sanctions against Russia as well.

***

💬 In May 2014, the Constitutional Court of Ukraine ruled that, quote – “The president is elected for a term of five years, no matter whether the election is regular or early.” Furthermore, the Constitutional Court noted that “the president’s constitutional status implies no norms setting any other office term than that of five years” – end of quote, period.

What does this mean in relation to today’s situation? The presidential term of the previously elected head of Ukraine has expired along with his legitimacy, which cannot be reinstated by any tricks.

Read in full: 1, 2, 3

The President of Russia met with senior Foreign Ministry officials. Key statements:

The multipolar world order

🔹The world is changing rapidly. Whether in global politics, economics, or technological competition, nothing is going to be the same anymore. More and more states are striving to strengthen their sovereignty and self-sufficiency, as well as assert their national and cultural identities.

🔹Based on this new political and economic reality, a multipolar, multilateral world order is now beginning to take shape, and this is an objective process.

🔹It is in our interest that this dialogue on international relations in a multipolar world also gains traction within the UN, in particular, with the view to addressing the basic and vital issue of creating an indivisible security system.

🔹As part of its BRICS chairmanship in 2024, Russia will assist new participants in organically integrating its structures. Overall, BRICS has the potential to emerge as the cornerstone regulatory structure within a multipolar world order.

Eurasian security

🔹In the late 20th century, the international community had a unique opportunity to build a resilient and fair security framework. However, it did not take long for the system created by the West to prove ineffective.

🔹We are witnessing the failure of the Euro-Atlantic security order. Basically, it will have to be rebuilt from scratch. The goal here is to create a framework of equal and indivisible security, mutually beneficial and equitable cooperation and development across the Eurasian continent in the foreseeable future.

🔹Economic matters, social wellbeing, integration, and mutually beneficial cooperation must play an important role in the new system, along with efforts to address the shared challenges such as overcoming poverty and inequality, the climate crisis, environmental protection, and the need to devise mechanisms for responding to pandemics and global economic crises. The system should be open to all countries within the region, including NATO member states.

🔹We support the initiative by Belarus to put together a charter on multipolarity and diversity in the 21st century. Among other things, this charter could set forth a strategic vision of what multipolarity and multilateralism mean from a broader perspective as part of a new system of international relations which is about to replace the Western-centric order.

The conflict in Ukraine

🔹The events in Ukraine are a direct result of how the world and Europe developed in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

🔹Without Russia's involvement, without a frank and responsible conversation with us, it will be impossible to achieve a peaceful resolution for Ukraine and in terms of European security in general.

🔹Ukraine must fully withdraw its troops from the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, and this must include the entire territory of these regions within the administrative borders they had at the time when they were part of Ukraine. As soon as Kiev makes an announcement signalling its willingness to make this decision, takes concrete steps to withdraw its troops from those regions, and also officially states its plans not to join NATO, we will immediately issue an order to cease fire and start talks.

🔹It goes without saying that Ukraine must respect the rights, freedoms and interests of its Russian-speaking citizens, and accept the new reality in terms of territorial changes. In the future, all these basic, fundamental provisions must be set forth in fundamental international agreements. Naturally, this also implies that all the Western sanctions introduced against Russia must be lifted.

Friendly dinner with current and future Country Coordinator of the ASEAN-Russia Dialogue Partnership - Permanent Mission of Cambodia to ASEAN 🇰🇭 and Permanent Mission of Myanmar to ASEAN 🇲🇲.
Grateful for invaluable support and friendship!🙏

We congratulate all our Muslim friends across #ASEAN with Eid al-Adha! 🕌 ☪️

May this holiday bring you joy and peace! Eid Al-Adha Mubarak!

#Announcement

State visits of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

#RussiaDPRK 🇷🇺🇰🇵


On June 18–19, Vladimir Putin will pay a friendly state visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at the invitation of the Chairman of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Kim Jong-un.

***

#RussiaVietnam 🇷🇺🇻🇳

On June 19–20, Vladimir Putin will pay a state visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC) Nguyen Phu Trong.

While in Hanoi, Vladimir Putin will meet with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, President To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chính, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

The talks will focus on the current status of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Vietnam in the trade, economic, scientific, technological, and humanitarian spheres, as well as its development prospects. The leaders will also exchange opinions on topical issues on the international and regional agenda.

Following the talks, the sides will adopt a joint statement and sign a number of bilateral documents.

#VideoOfTheDay

🇷🇺🇻🇳 President of Vietnam Tô Lâm officially welcomed President of Russia Vladimir Putin in a solemn ceremony in Hanoi.

#RussiaVietnam

🇷🇺🇻🇳 In Hanoi, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam To Lam held talks with the participation of official delegations.

💬 Vladimir Putin: Strengthening our comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam remains one of our top priorities.

You mentioned that we are currently celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Treaty on the Principles of Friendly Relations. Throughout these years, we have maintained regular and meaningful political engagements, involving parliaments, ministries, departments, political parties, regions, and civil society organisations. Recently, you also visited Russia in your capacity as Minister of Public Security.

Trade and economic relations continue to advance progressively. Last year, trade turnover increased by eight percent, thanks in part to the close cooperation of intergovernmental commissions on both sides. The growth in trade turnover is also bolstered by the implementation of the 2015 free trade agreement between the EAEU and Vietnam.

We coordinate our efforts in the international arena. Russia places significant emphasis on enhancing dialogue with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, with Vietnam being a prominent member.

#RussiaVietnam