❌ 1 июля в Соединённом Королевстве введена в действие т.н. Схема регистрации иностранного влияния (Foreign Influence Registration Scheme).

Применительно к нашей стране механизм обязывает тех, кто планирует осуществлять на территории Британии деятельность «по договорённости» с Россией, в т.ч. с определёнными в здешней нормативно-правовой базе госструктурами и политическими партиями, уведомлять об этом британские власти. При этом, вопреки распространенному пониманию, требование распространяется не только на политическую активность. Уклонение от информирования или предоставление некорректных сведений может повлечь уголовную ответственность.

Попытки официального Лондона придать налёт легитимности этому недружественному шагу, объяснив его мнимой заботой о национальной безопасности страны, не могут скрыть репрессивную и дискриминационную природу новой Схемы.

Её внедрение явственно расходится с обязательствами Соединённого Королевства в рамках основополагающих международных актов в сфере прав человека и основных свобод, включая Всеобщую декларацию прав человека 1948 года, и свидетельствует о дальнейшем укреплении антидемократических тенденций в развитии современной британской государственности.

Констатируем, что в особо уязвимом положении после запуска Схемы оказываются именно российские граждане и соотечественники. Ситуацию усугубляет преднамеренно размытый характер соответствующих инструкций, опубликованных Хоум офисом.

☝️ Призываем наших граждан и соотечественников к осмотрительности в случаях, которые могут гипотетически подпадать под действие Схемы. Целесообразным в таких ситуациях считаем проведение консультаций с профессиональным юристом.

Просили бы информировать Посольство о случаях злоупотребления и неоправданного применения к вам британскими властями требований в рамках нового механизма.

🗓 1 July 1945 is a significant and noteworthy date in the history of Soviet-British relations. According to plans that were subsequently shamefully concealed, on this day the British military intended to launch "Operation Unthinkable".

Having intimidated themselves with an imagined threat from the USSR, the British authorities, on the orders of Prime Minister Winston Churchill, secretly developed the concept of the operation. British divisions stationed in continental Europe were to deliver, without any declaration of war, a sudden strike against the Red Army. London planned the complete destruction of Soviet air forces, the blockade of the Baltic Sea and the organisation of sabotage operations in our rear with the assistance of captured SS and Wehrmacht soldiers.

The ultimate goal was to eliminate the Soviet presence in Europe and to impose on the USSR conditions of a post-war settlement to the west of its borders. Moscow did not even imagine such treachery to have been possible on the part of allies of the Anti-Hitler Coalition.

Back in 1945, the British leadership showed enough common sense not to cross the Rubicon. Apparently having recognised the sentiments of his own people and acting on US advice, Winston Churchill seems to have become aware just in time of the catastrophic consequences of such an adventurous plan. Still, he ultimately set the world on the path to the Cold War, which finally exhausted the British imperial project.

Paradoxically, eighty years later, the authorities of the United Kingdom, having poorly learnt the lessons of history, are attempting to reconstruct that same frightening and dangerous scenario. Under the guise of defenders of Western civilization, British politicians are now cementing at a doctrinal level fictional narratives about security threats allegedly emanating from Russia. In their public statements they are promoting irresponsible, aggressive, and destabilising signals suggesting the possibility of direct military conflict between our countries.

Speculations about Russia’s hostile intentions are false and unfounded.

❗️We call on the British government to come to its senses and rein in its militaristic anti-Russian rhetoric — before it truly becomes “thinkable” and irreversible.

❌ On 1 July the so-called Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) came into force in the United Kingdom.

With regard to the Russian Federation, the mechanism requires anyone planning to carry out activities on British soil in an "arrangement" with Russia — including with certain state institutions and political parties as designated by UK legislation — to notify the British authorities. Contrary to widespread belief, the requirement is not limited solely to political activities. Failure to comply or the provision of inaccurate information may entail criminal liability.

London's attempts to lend a veneer of legitimacy to this unfriendly measure — by ostensibly invoking national security concerns — cannot disguise the repressive and discriminatory nature of FIRS.

Its implementation runs counter to the UK's commitments under basic international treaties on human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is indicative of the increasing anti-democratic trends in the evolution of the modern British state.

Russian nationals and compatriots in particular may find themselves in a vulnerable position following the launch of the scheme. This is exacerbated by the deliberately vague language used in the relevant Home Office guidance.

☝️ We kindly ask our citizens and compatriots to exercise caution in situations that may potentially fall within the scope of FIRS. In such cases it would be expedient to seek professional legal advice.

They are also invited to inform the Embassy of any instances of abuse or unjustified application of the FIRS requirements by the British authorities.

🗞 Интервью Посла России в Великобритании Андрея Келина информагентству ТАСС (5 июля 2025 года)

Основные тезисы:

🔹 В Лондоне не могут принять простых фактов, что дело идёт к поражению Украины на поле боя, и по-прежнему пытаются всячески её усилить, как бы готовя к переговорам, в которых примут участие две стороны в равном положении. Это, конечно, иллюзия, затягивающая конфликт и усугубляющая его последствия для украинцев.

🔹 В украинском кризисе Лондон задрал ставки предельно высоко, представляя конфликт почти что в библейских категориях борьбы добра со злом. Тем самым он загнал себя в бутылку, по сути, не оставив дипломатических зазоров для формирования более реалистичных подходов к урегулированию.

🔹 «Коалиция желающих» [под руководством Британии и Франции] превратилась в очередное сборище «друзей Украины». Подобных сборищ по разным направлениям одних и тех же стран довольно много.

🔹 Многолетние попытки Лондона — вместе с Берлином и Парижем — дискредитировать иранскую ядерную программу фактически сделали эти страны соучастниками агрессии [против Ирана].

🔹 Введение в действие т.н. схемы регистрации иностранного влияния в Британии — недружественная акция в отношении России. <...> Применение этой схемы допускает любой произвол властей в отношении людей, далёких от политики, которые занимаются здесь культурной, гуманитарно-просветительской работой. Мы оставляем за собой право на ответные меры.

🔹Фиксация на внешней угрозе укоренилась в британском истеблишменте давно, как, впрочем, и конфронтационная линия в отношении России. Судя по всему, она сохранится в обозримой перспективе. Её придерживались и консерваторы, и лейбористы. Она вмонтирована в идеологию местных элит, её активно навязывают населению.

Читайте полностью

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at Session II of the XVII BRICS Summit «Strengthening multilateral world order, financial and economic issues, artificial intelligence» (Rio de Janeiro, July 6, 2025)

📄 Read in full

Key talking points:

• Strengthening the multilateral world order while the international system goes through fundamental transformations is one of the crucial tasks for #BRICS and for the entire international community.

• Multipolarity is not a choice but rather an objective reality which succeeds the outdated neoliberal model that actually builds on neocolonial practices. The traditional paradigm of globalization where the predominant role is played by the so-called developed states of the West is becoming a relic.

• Countries of the Global South and East are becoming a main driving force of the global economic growth. Regional organizations such as the African Union, CELAC, ASEAN, SCO, EAEU are playing an increased role. In this context conceptual and practical approaches are being developed to establish a new architecture of world economy based on the principles of equality, multilateralism and non-discrimination in trade, financial settlements, technology, logistics.

• BRICS countries account for more than 40% of the global gross domestic product based on purchasing power parity, and together with partner countries this figure is at 45% or 93 trillion dollars. Today BRICS represents more than 20% of global trade and almost a half of world population.

• The share of BRICS countries in trade with Russia is constantly growing and in 2014 it exceeded 48%, with 90% of mutual settlements made in national currencies.

• It is of significant importance to pursue the reform and depolarization of the Bretton-Woods institutions which should reflect a real state of affairs in the world economy. The continued use of the IMF and WB with a view to preserve neocolonial practices is unacceptable.

• The increasingly aggressive attempts by the West to introduce ideological ultimatums into the dialogue as what are virtually the main criteria – based on Western interpretations of human rights and democracy – are having an extremely negative impact on the delivery of the UN sustainable development goals.

• To address imbalances and to mobilize resources for development Russia introduced an initiative to create within BRICS a New Investment Platform with the participation of the New Development Bank (NDB). We thank colleagues for showing their interest to the promising initiative.

• Artificial Intelligence is becoming a critical technology. Experts estimate that AI contribution to the global domestic product will be at 20 trillion dollars by 2030.

• We will need to address issues related to ensuring universal access to advance developments in this field. Secret initiatives put forward by a number of countries and with restricted participation with a view to promote non-consensus approaches are fraught with the most serious consequences.

• The challenges associated with the development of digital technologies are transnational in nature and require collective response.

• I am convinced that BRICS nations together with like-minded countries will continue to lead in promoting a just multipolar world order that will provide favourable conditions for sustainable development of all States without exception.

❌ Введение Лондоном бессмысленных «ограничений» против руководства российских войск радиационной, химической и биологической защиты — мера столь же саморазоблачительная, сколь и тщетная.

Этой нелегитимной акцией британские власти вновь пытаются отвлечь внимание от многократно задокументированных случаев применения отравляющих веществ своей террористической клиентурой в ВСУ.

На деле же озлобленные выпады Лондона против российских специалистов лишь подтверждают успешность проводимой ими работы по выявлению и преданию огласке преступлений киевского режима.

Напомним, что наши военные последовательно и самоотверженно раскрывают миру правду о «химических» происках стран Запада как в контексте СВО, так и по другим вопиющим сюжетам — от «новичков» до провокаций в Сирии.

Лондон этому героическому труду воспрепятствовать не сможет.

❌ The UK government's meaningless "restrictions" against the leadership of Russia's radiological, chemical and biological defence forces is a gesture as self-revealing as it is futile.

With this illegitimate move the British authorities once again attempt to deflect attention from the extensively documented instances of toxic agents being used by their terrorist proxies within the Ukrainian armed forces.

In reality, London's embittered attacks on Russian specialists only serve to confirm the effectiveness of their work in uncovering and exposing the crimes perpetrated by the Kiev regime.

It is worth recalling that our military personnel have consistently and courageously brought to light the truth behind the West's "chemical schemes" — not only with regard to the Special Military Operation, but also in relation to other egregious cases, ranging from the Novichok incidents to provocations staged in Syria.

London will not succeed in obstructing this heroic endeavour.

❗️ We have taken note of the recent Sky News coverage concerning the 2024 arson attacks in London, which were accompanied by unfounded allegations linking Russia to the incident.

Prior to publication, the Embassy upon request by Sky News provided it with a detailed statement outlining Russia's position on the matter. Regrettably, not a single line of that communication was reflected in the subsequent reporting.

Moreover, the only term attributed to the Embassy as a direct quotation — "bad" — does not appear anywhere in our original comment. This misattribution is not only misleading but entirely false.

In the interests of accuracy and public awareness, the Embassy is publishing the full text of original statement below 👇

Russia has never engaged in sabotage activities against the United Kingdom and has no intention of doing so. The malevolent campaign of anti-Russian scaremongering deployed by the British authorities and some complicit media serves predominantly domestic purposes, in particular with a view to desensitising the electorate to worsening economic problems and military spending hikes.

The Embassy notes that the case in question [allegations of arson attacks] was used by the UK authorities in 2024 to undertake a series of discriminatory restrictive measures targeting the Russian diplomatic presence in the UK, many of them clearly in breach of the UK's commitments under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Channels of military communication were also severed by London — to the detriment of the UK's own national interests amidst an ongoing security crisis in Europe.

A fair hearing of the case in question has from its very outset been undermined by unsubstantiated and public accusations by the British government against Russia, which de facto preempted the trial and are thus likely to directly influence the outcome of the judicial process.

UPD: Sky News has since amended its report and included the Embassy's comment. We welcome the correction.

🎙 Интервью Посла России в Великобритании Андрея Келина телеканалу «Россия 24» (9 июля 2025 года)

Основные тезисы:

• Правительство лейбористов, когда оно пришло к власти, имело шанс осуществить перезагрузку в отношениях с Россией. Это бы отвечало интересам страны, особенно в экономической сфере. Но они выбрали курс по взвинчиванию эскалации.

• Лейбористы быстро теряют популярность внутри собственной страны из-за тупиковой политики, которую они проводят по социально-экономическим вопросам. Поэтому они изобретают внешние угрозы [в т.ч. якобы со стороны России], чтобы как-то набрать очки на этой почве.

• Ажиотаж вокруг «коалиции желающих» схлынул. Результатов не видно. Заодно выяснилось, что у многих участников, в т.ч. Франции и Британии, не хватает войск для того, чтобы обеспечить ротацию [личного состава], чтобы всерьёз провести существенное развёртывание на Украине.

• [Закупка Лондоном американских истребителей F-35, способных нести ядерные боезаряды] — существенное приращение ядерного арсенала Британии. Всё это требует учёта в планировании в том, что касается нашего противодействия ядерному сдерживанию [со стороны Соединённого Королевства].

• На разных витках истории и развития Евросоюза возникали идеи создания отдельной европейской армии. Это до сих пор утопия, на Западе [наблюдается] слишком большая зависимость от Вашингтона в сфере обороны и безопасности.

Смотрите интервью на YouTube-канале Посольства

🎙 Excerpt from Russian MFA Spox Maria Zakharova's weekly briefing on topical foreign policy issues (9 July 2025)

UK's Foreign Influence Registration Scheme

💬 The UK launched its Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) on 1 July 2025. Russia was placed on the enhanced tier of the scheme. This means that all individuals and legal entities in the UK, regardless of nationality, must notify the Home Office of any arrangement with the Russian state, particularly any contacts, agreements or activity within British jurisdiction.

However, the legislative framework underpinning this new measure remains notably vague. The authority to determine whether specific actions fall within the scope of FIRS has been largely entrusted to the discretion of the Home Office, and by extension, the security and intelligence services. As a result, any interaction with representatives of Russia — whether involving British citizens, organisations, Russian nationals or citizens of third countries residing in the UK — may now be automatically deemed high-risk.

Much depends on how these contacts are interpreted by law enforcement and intelligence agencies in Britain. Such an interpretation leaves ample room for potential abuses of power, harassment and persecution.

❌ Given London’s fixation on the so-called "Russian threat", such initiatives are hardly surprising. Long before the special military operation began, British officials set a course toward fuelling anti-Russian sentiment, frequently introducing Russophobic provocations into public discourse. The Skripal case is a prime example. In every instance, such actions are always cloaked in alleged concerns for Britain's national security. Yet, in practice, the UK authorities are tightening their grip on state control over British society.

UK officials deliberately cultivate the perception of Russia as an adversary to justify their continuing large-scale proxy aggression against Russia. This includes the ongoing supply of lethal weapons to the Kiev regime, terrorist and sabotage operations conducted by proxy forces under foreign flags and interference in Russia's domestic affairs to destabilise the political situation and disrupt public order. All of this is done under the banner of inflicting a "strategic defeat" on Russia.

At the same time, Britain's ruling elite is actively exploiting the Russophobic sentiments it has propagated in order to serve its own internal political ends, attempting to attribute domestic problems and the consequences of its own failures to Moscow's alleged malicious activity. <...>

The repressive and discriminatory nature of this new mechanism vividly illustrates the fears harboured by the current British authorities, who are more afraid of their own population than of Russia. What other explanation can there be for such a move, which so clearly contradicts the UK's international human rights obligations? It instils a climate of total suspicion and paves the way for unchecked surveillance, as well as legal and police overreach, against British nationals.

☝️ As for the impact of this decision on Russia-UK relations — or rather, what remains of them following London's actions — such a repressive policy is yet another indication of the British authorities' stubborn desire to obstruct any normalisation of relations with our country, even in the distant future.

Read in full

🎙 Excerpt from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to media questions following the SCO Foreign Ministers Council Meeting (Tianjin, 15 July)

💬 We never pursue policies that harm our national interests or compromise our national security.

The special military operation is precisely aimed at decisively removing the threats that the North Atlantic Alliance has systematically built up directly on our borders over decades, not days or years. Russia has issued repeated warnings.

The West, whether it was the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union or post-Soviet Russia, has been driven by one objective alone: the geopolitical containment, suppression or even outright military destruction of Russia. [...]

President Trump is under immense pressure from the European Union and NATO's current leadership, who openly endorse Vladimir Zelensky's demands to continue arming his regime with modern weaponry, at an increasing cost to Western taxpayers.

The sanctions recently imposed by the EU, and those being prepared anew in Brussels, are now attempting to draw the United States into this "sanctions vortex". Yet President Trump explicitly stated that Europe would bear the cost of prolonging the conflict.

All this has already inflicted severe damage on the European economy. Impartial European analysts, economists, and political scientists concede that the primary casualty of this sanctions war is its very architect.

☝️ An unprecedented volume of sanctions has been levied against us. We are coping with it, and we will prevail.

Read in full

We have taken note of the media publications on the refusal to allow the tall ship Shtandart to enter the port of the Scottish city of Aberdeen due to the anti-Russian "sanctions". The ship was supposed to participate in the international Tall Ships Races 2025, but, obviously, will not be able to join it.

We consider this situation as another consequence of the destructive campaign launched by the British authorities aimed at creating an atmosphere of Russophobia and the notorious "cancel culture" in all parts of the UK, including Scotland. The illegitimacy of restrictive measures that contradict international law and common sense is aggravated by the zeal in their implementation taken to the point of absurdity. As a result, everything that even remotely resembles Russia is being blocked. In this case the safety and well-being of seafarers may have also been jeopardized.

It is worth noting that although the Shtandart does not belong to the Russian Federation, she is a replica of the Russian frigate built in 1703 by Peter the Great. And among the comrades and associates of the first Russian emperor were the famous Scots General Patrick Gordon and Field Marshal Jacob Bruce. One can easily imagine how these outstanding figures of the past would have assessed the irrational Russophobic policy of the current British and Scottish authorities.

🗓 On 18 July Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Alexander Gusarov visited the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in London to sign a book of condolences following the passing of Muhammadu Buhari, the former President of Nigeria.

Alexander Gusarov noted that Muhammadu Buhari would be remembered as a distinguished statesman, deeply respected by his compatriots and international partners, who made a significant contribution to the friendship between Nigeria and Russia.

#InMemoriam

📆 July 18, 1909, is the birthday of Andrey Gromyko, a statesman and politician, an outstanding Soviet diplomat and Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union (1957-1985).

Born in the village of Starye Gromyki in Byelorussia, he rose from a researcher to the foreign minister of a great power.

In 1936, Andrey Gromyko defended a PhD thesis on the economy of agriculture in the United States and was promoted to senior research fellow at the Institute of Economics of the Soviet Academy of Sciences.

The diligent and hard-working researcher did not go unnoticed. He was appointed head of the Department of the Americas at the People’s Commissariat (Ministry) of Foreign Affairs in 1939 and later promoted to counsellor at the Soviet Embassy in the United States. In 1943, he assumed the post of Soviet Ambassador to Washington while simultaneously representing the Soviet Union in Cuba.

✍️ In 1945, Andrey Gromyko signed the UN Charter on behalf of the Soviet Union, and in 1946 he was appointed the country’s first permanent representative to the UN.

Gromyko became the foreign minister of the Soviet Union in 1957 and held that post for 28 years. He helped prevent many global conflicts during the period of ideological confrontation and tensions between NATO and the Warsaw Treaty Organisation. He promoted the normalisation of relations with the United States and the West in general, as well as disarmament, the fixation of post-war borders in Europe, and détente.

❌ As Soviet foreign minister, Andrey Gromyko became known in the West as Mr Nyet (Mr No) for his firm stance when it came to issues of fundamental significance for national interests. This is what he had to say about that:

They heard my ‘Nyet’ much more rarely than I did their ‘No’ because we advanced many more proposals.

The most significant achievements of Soviet diplomacy reached during his tenure as the country’s foreign policy chief include:

▪️ Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests (1963)
▪️ Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (1968)
▪️ Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (1972), SALT I (1973) and SALT II treaties (1979)

During the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, Andrey Gromyko contributed to reaching a compromise and preventing a war. He took part in the Arab-Israeli talks in Geneva (1973) mediated by the Soviet Union and the United States, and helped prevent a large-scale war between India and Pakistan (1966).

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov about Andrey Gromyko:

Andrey Gromyko firmly upheld national interests, helped strengthen the country’s prestige and contributed to the development of the post-war world order.

☝️ Andrey Gromyko was one of the world’s most highly respected diplomats in the 20th century and a symbol of Soviet foreign policy. His legacy continues to uphold the high prestige of Russian diplomacy to this day.

🗓️ Today, the outstanding Soviet and Russian actor, director, screenwriter and writer Vasily Livanov turns 90.

In our country, he is best known for his role as Sherlock Holmes in Soviet television films about the brilliant detective. They are based on the works of Arthur Conan Doyle, a native of the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh. Holmes performed by Livanov is rightfully considered one of the most successful and recognizable screen images. Having found a new life at the Lenfilm studio, the classic literary character is much loved by millions of viewers, and his expression “Elementary, Watson!” became a catchphrase. Vasily Livanov's performance received recognition not only in Russia, but also abroad, including the homeland of Arthur Conan Doyle. For his role as Holmes, in 2006 the actor became an Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire.

🎉 We congratulate Vasily Livanov on his birthday and invite all of you to enjoy the work of the great actor by watching the film series “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson”.

🎙 Excerpt from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to media questions at a joint news conference following talks with Foreign Minister of Mozambique Maria Lucas (Moscow, 22 July)

💬 European politicians are whipping up their populations in every possible way, indoctrinating them with the idea that Russia is an eternal adversary and an existential threat that is about to attack Europe.

Therefore, all social problems, economic failures and ongoing deindustrialisation — a trend evident in many European countries — must be disregarded in order to focus all efforts, funds and taxes exclusively on the militarisation of Europe. It is sad. [...]

I hope that the reasonable approach demonstrated by the Trump administration after succeeding the Biden administration, which had been acting in concert with unbridled Europeans, will be taken note of by the Europeans, despite all the current discussion about the need to rearm the Kiev regime at the expense of European taxpayers.

Read in full

⚡️ Statement by Head of the Russian delegation Vladimir Medinsky following the third round of Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul (July 23, 2025)

Key talking points:

• All agreements on humanitarian tracks discussed previously have been fulfilled. The exchange of the last groups of prisoners of war — about 250 individuals from each side — is nearing completion at the Ukraine-Belarus border. A second, unprecedentedly large exchange involving approximately 1'200 people from each side has been completed. An agreement has been reached to conduct another exchange of no less than 1'200 POWs from each side in the near future. Ongoing indefinite humanitarian exchanges of the severely wounded and sick along the line of contact will continue.

• Russia proposed the formation of three working groups to operate online: on political issues, humanitarian issues, and military issues. The Ukrainian Side agreed to consider this proposal.

• The Russian Side has once again proposed that Ukraine consider the possibility of declaring short-term ceasefires (24–48 hours) along the line of contact to retrieve the wounded and the bodies of fallen soldiers.

• Russia has returned more than 7'000 bodies [of AFU soldiers] to Ukraine and has received a small number of its own in return. An offer was made to hand over an additional 3'000 bodies of Ukrainian servicemen.

• The issue of returning civilians displaced by hostilities was discussed. Not all residents of the Kursk region who were "evacuated" by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to Ukrainian territory have been returned home. There are about 30 such individuals, and they are still being held by Ukraine.

• There was extensive discussion on the positions outlined by both parties in the memoranda exchanged last time. The positions remain quite far apart. It was agreed to maintain contact.

• The list of 339 names of Ukrainian children has been fully reviewed. Some children have been returned to Ukraine. Work is ongoing regarding the others. If legal guardians, close relatives, or official representatives are found, the children will be returned home immediately. For us, children are sacred. At present, they are under state care, safe and well provided for in appropriate child welfare institutions.

***

❓ Question: Was the possibility of a summit-level meeting discussed?

💬 Vladimir Medinsky: For such a meeting to take place, the terms of the agreement must first be thoroughly prepared. A summit should be held to finalize and sign off on agreements. Meeting just to rehash everything again makes no sense.

❗️ Russia's Foreign Ministry statement on the Israeli Parliament’s adoption of a declaration on extending sovereignty to the territory of the West Bank

On July 23, the Knesset (Parliament) of Israel adopted a declaration on extending the sovereignty of Israel to the territory of the West Bank.

• While not a legislative act, the document urges the Government to “extend, as soon as possible, Israeli sovereignty, including Israeli law, judicial authority, and administration, to the entire Jewish settlement area in all its diversity in Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley.”

• It also describes the creation of a Palestinian state as an “existential threat to Israel, its citizens and the entire region.”

This move by Israeli lawmakers has been received with deep concern in Moscow. It effectively predetermines the outcome of talks on the final status of the Palestinian territories and contradicts Israel’s commitments under the Oslo Process, as well as the provisions of relevant United Nations General Assembly and Security Council resolutions.

Russia remains committed to facilitating direct Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, with the goal of establishing an independent Palestinian state that coexists in peace and security with Israel – a cornerstone of long-term stability in the Middle East.

We proceed from the assumption that the adopted declaration will not be followed by concrete steps from the Government of Israel aimed to facilitate its actual implementation. Should such steps be taken, they would inevitably lead to a further escalation of tensions in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone, with unpredictable consequences for both Israel and the entire Middle East.

Russia continues to prioritise an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages and detainees, and the relaunch of the peace process, while avoiding unilateral actions that seek to create irreversible facts on the ground.

⚓️ Today, on Russia’s Navy Day, diplomats of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Edinburgh commemorated the crew of the Soviet submarine B-1 commanded by Hero of the Soviet Union I.I. Fisanovich by laying a wreath at the memorial in Dundee.

The submarine was received by the USSR as part of reparations after Italy’s withdrawal from World War II. 81 years ago on July 27, 1944, while following an agreed course from Scotland to the Soviet Union, the submarine was sunk due to a RAF pilot error.