Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
📰 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s written interview with RIA Novosti (December 31, 2023)
Read in full
#RussiaUSA
Our readiness to restore a full-fledged dialogue with the United States should not be taken for granted. Russia-US relations have become strained to the maximum due to Washington’s strategic objective of inflicting a decisive blow on Russia. We will only be able to develop a formula for peaceful coexistence and cooperation in certain areas when Washington acknowledges our core national interests and engages in sincere negotiations.
#INF
If the United States does not take any extraordinary steps to exert pressure through other means, Russia will not be the first to deploy missiles that were previously prohibited under the INF Treaty.
However, judging by the preparations made by the Pentagon, practical actions by the Americans to deploy ground-launched intermediate and short-range missiles in different regions of the world should not take long. Therefore, the time when we will have to make necessary political decisions is fast approaching.
#MiddleEast
Russia consistently advocates for the initiation of Palestinian-Israeli talks. The lack of Palestinian unity remains one of the obstacles to this.
We also assist our Palestinian friends in finding a solution. We have provided them with a venue for holding meetings in Russia. We call for unification based on the platform of the Palestine Liberation Organisation.
#KievCrimes
The crimes of the Kiev regime are already under investigation. Russian law enforcement authorities are meticulously recording and documenting the atrocities committed by Ukrainian neo-Nazis, which extend beyond the timeframe of the special military operation.
Based on the evidence gathered by the Investigative Committee, the courts of the Russian Federation have already sentenced over 200 members of Ukrainian armed groups to long prison terms for their crimes. The remaining criminals will face the same fate and will be held accountable.
Read in full
#RussiaUSA
Our readiness to restore a full-fledged dialogue with the United States should not be taken for granted. Russia-US relations have become strained to the maximum due to Washington’s strategic objective of inflicting a decisive blow on Russia. We will only be able to develop a formula for peaceful coexistence and cooperation in certain areas when Washington acknowledges our core national interests and engages in sincere negotiations.
#INF
If the United States does not take any extraordinary steps to exert pressure through other means, Russia will not be the first to deploy missiles that were previously prohibited under the INF Treaty.
However, judging by the preparations made by the Pentagon, practical actions by the Americans to deploy ground-launched intermediate and short-range missiles in different regions of the world should not take long. Therefore, the time when we will have to make necessary political decisions is fast approaching.
#MiddleEast
Russia consistently advocates for the initiation of Palestinian-Israeli talks. The lack of Palestinian unity remains one of the obstacles to this.
We also assist our Palestinian friends in finding a solution. We have provided them with a venue for holding meetings in Russia. We call for unification based on the platform of the Palestine Liberation Organisation.
#KievCrimes
The crimes of the Kiev regime are already under investigation. Russian law enforcement authorities are meticulously recording and documenting the atrocities committed by Ukrainian neo-Nazis, which extend beyond the timeframe of the special military operation.
Based on the evidence gathered by the Investigative Committee, the courts of the Russian Federation have already sentenced over 200 members of Ukrainian armed groups to long prison terms for their crimes. The remaining criminals will face the same fate and will be held accountable.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with TASS news agency (December 30, 2024)
Key points:
#Ukraine #USA
• We have not received any official signals [from the USA] regarding a settlement in Ukraine.
• We are not happy with the proposals made by members of the Trump team to postpone Ukraine’s admission to NATO for 20 years and to station British and European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.
• What we need is reliable and legally binding agreements that would eliminate the root causes of the conflict and seal a mechanism precluding the possibility of their violation.
#RussiaUSA #NATO
• We are ready to renew the political dialogue which Washington terminated after the start of the special military operation, if the United States is ready for this. Since it was the Americans who cut it off, it is for them to make the first move.
• They [the West] have been long relying on efforts to interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries, including our closest neighbours, as their foreign policy tool. For many years, Washington and its satellites have been acting this way in an effort to deter and contain their geopolitical rivals and do away with any unwanted actors, as confirmed by what happened in Yugoslavia, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Ukraine.
#Georgia
• The developments in Georgia stem from the double standards when caring for democracy and human rights serves as a pretext for overturning election results after even the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights with its tainted reputation recognised the election as being free and fair. Why do they want to change the results? Just because the puppet masters in Washington and Brussels did not find the way people voted there to their liking.
• The United States and the European Union are trying to impose a distorted vision on Tbilisi which consists of dividing everyone into those who are with us and those who are against us. Meanwhile, it seems that Georgian authorities have opted for a sovereign policy which meets the country’s national interests. They refuse to act as pawns manipulated by the West in its effort to destabilise Georgia, undermine its economy and incite escalation in its relations with Russia.
#Syria #MiddleEast
• The Syrians’ hopes for improvements after a convincing defeat of international terrorism, including with the help of Russia’s Aerospace Forces, have not materialised.
• Washington, which has effectively occupied the resource-rich north-eastern part of Syria and is putting serious sanctions pressure on Damascus together with a coalition of its satellites, bears a great deal of blame for this. This line for strangling the Syrian economy stirred up social discontent.
• Trying to maintain its influence [in the Middle East and North Africa], Washington actively interfered in the internal affairs of Arab countries and aggressively drew new dividing lines there. Iraq and Libya are still trying to clear up the consequences of the Americans and their satellites’ reckless behaviour.
#China
• The Americans are taking inciting actions in the Taiwan Strait and supplying weapons to Taipei while forging a quasi-political dialogue with the local authorities.
• It is clear to us that this policy pursued by Washington in violation of its obligations to Beijing on Taiwan is part of their strategy to step up military and political pressure on the PRC and eventually undermine regional security at the eastern end of the Eurasian continent.
• Russia reaffirms its adherence to the #OneChina principle, recognises that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China, opposes any form of “Taiwan independence,” and firmly supports China’s measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity and achieve national reunification.
Read in full
Key points:
#Ukraine #USA
• We have not received any official signals [from the USA] regarding a settlement in Ukraine.
• We are not happy with the proposals made by members of the Trump team to postpone Ukraine’s admission to NATO for 20 years and to station British and European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.
• What we need is reliable and legally binding agreements that would eliminate the root causes of the conflict and seal a mechanism precluding the possibility of their violation.
#RussiaUSA #NATO
• We are ready to renew the political dialogue which Washington terminated after the start of the special military operation, if the United States is ready for this. Since it was the Americans who cut it off, it is for them to make the first move.
• They [the West] have been long relying on efforts to interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries, including our closest neighbours, as their foreign policy tool. For many years, Washington and its satellites have been acting this way in an effort to deter and contain their geopolitical rivals and do away with any unwanted actors, as confirmed by what happened in Yugoslavia, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Ukraine.
#Georgia
• The developments in Georgia stem from the double standards when caring for democracy and human rights serves as a pretext for overturning election results after even the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights with its tainted reputation recognised the election as being free and fair. Why do they want to change the results? Just because the puppet masters in Washington and Brussels did not find the way people voted there to their liking.
• The United States and the European Union are trying to impose a distorted vision on Tbilisi which consists of dividing everyone into those who are with us and those who are against us. Meanwhile, it seems that Georgian authorities have opted for a sovereign policy which meets the country’s national interests. They refuse to act as pawns manipulated by the West in its effort to destabilise Georgia, undermine its economy and incite escalation in its relations with Russia.
#Syria #MiddleEast
• The Syrians’ hopes for improvements after a convincing defeat of international terrorism, including with the help of Russia’s Aerospace Forces, have not materialised.
• Washington, which has effectively occupied the resource-rich north-eastern part of Syria and is putting serious sanctions pressure on Damascus together with a coalition of its satellites, bears a great deal of blame for this. This line for strangling the Syrian economy stirred up social discontent.
• Trying to maintain its influence [in the Middle East and North Africa], Washington actively interfered in the internal affairs of Arab countries and aggressively drew new dividing lines there. Iraq and Libya are still trying to clear up the consequences of the Americans and their satellites’ reckless behaviour.
#China
• The Americans are taking inciting actions in the Taiwan Strait and supplying weapons to Taipei while forging a quasi-political dialogue with the local authorities.
• It is clear to us that this policy pursued by Washington in violation of its obligations to Beijing on Taiwan is part of their strategy to step up military and political pressure on the PRC and eventually undermine regional security at the eastern end of the Eurasian continent.
• Russia reaffirms its adherence to the #OneChina principle, recognises that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China, opposes any form of “Taiwan independence,” and firmly supports China’s measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity and achieve national reunification.
Read in full
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
✍️ Excerpts from Russia’s Foreign Ministry answers to media questions submitted (but not answered live due to time constraints) for FM Sergey Lavrov’s news conference on the outcomes of Russian diplomacy in 2024
#UkrainianCrisis
Russia has pointed out on numerous occasions that it is ready for talks on a settlement in Ukraine. We stand for a truly final, just and lasting solution based on the elimination of the root causes of that crisis.
A temporary ceasefire and a conflict freeze are unacceptable solutions.
The West will inevitably use them to reinforce the Kiev regime’s military potential and to take a military revenge. We want reliable and legally binding agreements with mechanisms guaranteeing the non-resumption of the conflict.
#RussiaChina #Victory80
This year, we are celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Great Victory across both the European and Asian theatres of conflict. The peoples of the USSR & China, having shouldered the formidable burden of resisting the aggressors, valiantly withstood the severe trials and triumphed over the enemy, albeit at the cost of tremendous human and material sacrifices.
The memory of this monumental achievement by our forebears remains sacred to our nations, serving to fortify the enduring Russian-Chinese friendship and instil a sense of patriotism in our youth. Russia and China are poised to celebrate this significant anniversary on a grand scale.
#RussiaAfrica
Russia has been systematically striving to enhance the full spectrum of relations with African states. The solid foundations of successful Russian-African collaboration lie in our shared objective of cultivating a just world and, to a large extent, a harmonious approach to addressing pressing international issues.
#RussiaUSA
Donald Trump’s return to the White House following last November’s presidential election significantly alters the political landscape within the US.
However, from the perspective of Russian-American relations, given the bipartisan Russophobic consensus that has developed, premised on the perception of Russia as an existential threat to American hegemony, no substantial positive developments should be anticipated. <...>
It must be emphasised that we are not harbouring any illusions about the new/old president. During his first term, contrary to expectations, the deterioration of bilateral ties initiated by Barack Obama persisted, and Donald Trump surpassed his predecessors in the scale of sanctions imposed against Russia.
#RussiaIran
Our bilateral cooperation has achieved an unprecedented level under the direction of the leaders of both nations. The conclusion of [the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran] marks a significant event, representing a new milestone in the history of bilateral relations.
#RussiaSyria
We remain hopeful that the Syrian people will successfully overcome the challenges they face and develop consensus decisions about the future of their state. We stand ready to provide the Syrians with all possible support.
#Eurasia
We are actively pursuing the development of a Eurasian security architecture grounded in the principles of equality and indivisibility, ensuring that the primary responsibility for resolving regional disputes and conflicts rests with the states of the continent. President Vladimir Putin proposed this initiative during a meeting with the Foreign Ministry leadership on June 14, 2024.
Our concept is grounded in the principle that “regional problems require regional solutions.” Responsibility for resolving conflicts and preventing harmful external interference must rest collectively with the nations of Eurasia.
#Orthodoxy #Faith #FreedomOfReligion
Сertain elements within the American establishment, the so-called deep state, are using the Kiev regime and NATO mechanisms against the Russian Orthodox Church. We see what they are doing and how cynically they behave targeting canonical Orthodoxy, trying to sow discord among Orthodox believers in Europe.
Read in full
#UkrainianCrisis
Russia has pointed out on numerous occasions that it is ready for talks on a settlement in Ukraine. We stand for a truly final, just and lasting solution based on the elimination of the root causes of that crisis.
A temporary ceasefire and a conflict freeze are unacceptable solutions.
The West will inevitably use them to reinforce the Kiev regime’s military potential and to take a military revenge. We want reliable and legally binding agreements with mechanisms guaranteeing the non-resumption of the conflict.
#RussiaChina #Victory80
This year, we are celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Great Victory across both the European and Asian theatres of conflict. The peoples of the USSR & China, having shouldered the formidable burden of resisting the aggressors, valiantly withstood the severe trials and triumphed over the enemy, albeit at the cost of tremendous human and material sacrifices.
The memory of this monumental achievement by our forebears remains sacred to our nations, serving to fortify the enduring Russian-Chinese friendship and instil a sense of patriotism in our youth. Russia and China are poised to celebrate this significant anniversary on a grand scale.
#RussiaAfrica
Russia has been systematically striving to enhance the full spectrum of relations with African states. The solid foundations of successful Russian-African collaboration lie in our shared objective of cultivating a just world and, to a large extent, a harmonious approach to addressing pressing international issues.
#RussiaUSA
Donald Trump’s return to the White House following last November’s presidential election significantly alters the political landscape within the US.
However, from the perspective of Russian-American relations, given the bipartisan Russophobic consensus that has developed, premised on the perception of Russia as an existential threat to American hegemony, no substantial positive developments should be anticipated. <...>
It must be emphasised that we are not harbouring any illusions about the new/old president. During his first term, contrary to expectations, the deterioration of bilateral ties initiated by Barack Obama persisted, and Donald Trump surpassed his predecessors in the scale of sanctions imposed against Russia.
#RussiaIran
Our bilateral cooperation has achieved an unprecedented level under the direction of the leaders of both nations. The conclusion of [the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran] marks a significant event, representing a new milestone in the history of bilateral relations.
#RussiaSyria
We remain hopeful that the Syrian people will successfully overcome the challenges they face and develop consensus decisions about the future of their state. We stand ready to provide the Syrians with all possible support.
#Eurasia
We are actively pursuing the development of a Eurasian security architecture grounded in the principles of equality and indivisibility, ensuring that the primary responsibility for resolving regional disputes and conflicts rests with the states of the continent. President Vladimir Putin proposed this initiative during a meeting with the Foreign Ministry leadership on June 14, 2024.
Our concept is grounded in the principle that “regional problems require regional solutions.” Responsibility for resolving conflicts and preventing harmful external interference must rest collectively with the nations of Eurasia.
#Orthodoxy #Faith #FreedomOfReligion
Сertain elements within the American establishment, the so-called deep state, are using the Kiev regime and NATO mechanisms against the Russian Orthodox Church. We see what they are doing and how cynically they behave targeting canonical Orthodoxy, trying to sow discord among Orthodox believers in Europe.
Read in full