Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🔴 #LIVE: Remarks by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at a lecture hosted by the Russian Znanie Society on the sidelines of the 11th Eastern Economic Forum (#EEF)
📍 Vladivostok, September 3
🔴 Russia's MFA Website
🔴 EEF Website
📍 Vladivostok, September 3
Please open Telegram to view this post
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
PRESS RELEASE of the Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka
September 3, 2026
The Embassy paid attention to some paragraphs of the article “Civilizational dialogue proving a remote possibility as realpolitik rages” by L.Ockersz. We would like to provide an adequate response.
References to the alleged «defeat of the USSR in Afghanistan» are completely inappropriate. The withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan was completed
in February 1989 in an orderly manner. H.E. Mr. Levan Dzhagaryan, Ambassador of Russia to Sri Lanka and Maldives, worked in the USSR Embassy in Kabul and was an eye-witness to those events. The orderly withdrawal of Soviet army contrasts sharply with the disgraceful escape of NATO troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 while abandoning expensive equipment following a humiliating defeat from the Taliban.
Soviet experts established vital infrastructure: hospitals, schools, roads and industrial facilities. In contrast, NATO constructed nothing but destroyed the social, industrial and logistic infrastructure depriving Afghan people of access to it.
September 3, 2026
The Embassy paid attention to some paragraphs of the article “Civilizational dialogue proving a remote possibility as realpolitik rages” by L.Ockersz. We would like to provide an adequate response.
References to the alleged «defeat of the USSR in Afghanistan» are completely inappropriate. The withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan was completed
in February 1989 in an orderly manner. H.E. Mr. Levan Dzhagaryan, Ambassador of Russia to Sri Lanka and Maldives, worked in the USSR Embassy in Kabul and was an eye-witness to those events. The orderly withdrawal of Soviet army contrasts sharply with the disgraceful escape of NATO troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 while abandoning expensive equipment following a humiliating defeat from the Taliban.
Soviet experts established vital infrastructure: hospitals, schools, roads and industrial facilities. In contrast, NATO constructed nothing but destroyed the social, industrial and logistic infrastructure depriving Afghan people of access to it.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Address by President of Russia Vladimir Putin at the Plenary Session of the 11th Eastern Economic Forum (Vladivostok, Russky Island, September 3, 2026)
The event was also attended by President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto, Prime Minister of Mongolia Nyam-Osoryn Uchral, Vice President of Myanmar U Nyo Saw, and Vice Premier of the State Council of China Ding Xuexiang.
Key points:
• Russia is an active participant in investment and trade cooperation in the Asia-Pacific. We engage with our partners and the region’s leading integration associations on an equal footing.
• Our strategic objective is to ensure that the Far East remains a region of cooperation and dynamic transformation in the economy and infrastructure, technological development, workforce training and, of course, the social sphere.
• Over the past 11 years, around 25 trillion rubles in capital investment has been attracted to Russia’s Far Eastern regions. As a result, the Far East’s gross regional product has more than tripled over this period – a very strong pace of growth.
• The Far East’s key macroeconomic indicators are growing faster than the national average. This is precisely what we sought to achieve when we declared the region’s development a strategic priority for Russia throughout the 21st century.
• It is important to continue creating convenient and predictable conditions for investors, taking into account the needs of businesses and the regions while proceeding from Russia’s national interests.
• For investors in such projects, and for those launching new enterprises in the Far East and the Arctic, it is important to ensure stable demand for their products. Offset contracts, which are being developed with the support of State Development Corporation VEB.RF, should be used for this purpose as well.
• In today’s challenging global environment, amid risks to international shipping and trade, the Northern Sea Route is intended to provide greater flexibility and security for international deliveries, open up new opportunities for transit and coastal shipping, and ensure uninterrupted supplies to Arctic regions.
• Our goal is to make navigation along the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor year-round. To achieve this, we are building icebreakers and ice-class vessels, expanding our service and rescue fleet and satellite constellation, and strengthening port infrastructure.
• We expect that by the end of this decade, freight traffic along the Trans-Arctic Corridor will reach at least 70 million tonnes per year – at least double the current level.
• To expand international capital participation in our Far Eastern and Arctic projects, we need to make use of the potential of the Eastern Exchange. As I have already said, we plan to establish a modern financial centre on its basis.
• We need to develop new cross-border routes with Asia-Pacific, #BRICS and #EAEU countries. We are open to cooperation with all our partners in this area.
Full transcript
The event was also attended by President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto, Prime Minister of Mongolia Nyam-Osoryn Uchral, Vice President of Myanmar U Nyo Saw, and Vice Premier of the State Council of China Ding Xuexiang.
Key points:
• Russia is an active participant in investment and trade cooperation in the Asia-Pacific. We engage with our partners and the region’s leading integration associations on an equal footing.
• Our strategic objective is to ensure that the Far East remains a region of cooperation and dynamic transformation in the economy and infrastructure, technological development, workforce training and, of course, the social sphere.
• Over the past 11 years, around 25 trillion rubles in capital investment has been attracted to Russia’s Far Eastern regions. As a result, the Far East’s gross regional product has more than tripled over this period – a very strong pace of growth.
• The Far East’s key macroeconomic indicators are growing faster than the national average. This is precisely what we sought to achieve when we declared the region’s development a strategic priority for Russia throughout the 21st century.
• It is important to continue creating convenient and predictable conditions for investors, taking into account the needs of businesses and the regions while proceeding from Russia’s national interests.
• For investors in such projects, and for those launching new enterprises in the Far East and the Arctic, it is important to ensure stable demand for their products. Offset contracts, which are being developed with the support of State Development Corporation VEB.RF, should be used for this purpose as well.
• In today’s challenging global environment, amid risks to international shipping and trade, the Northern Sea Route is intended to provide greater flexibility and security for international deliveries, open up new opportunities for transit and coastal shipping, and ensure uninterrupted supplies to Arctic regions.
• Our goal is to make navigation along the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor year-round. To achieve this, we are building icebreakers and ice-class vessels, expanding our service and rescue fleet and satellite constellation, and strengthening port infrastructure.
• We expect that by the end of this decade, freight traffic along the Trans-Arctic Corridor will reach at least 70 million tonnes per year – at least double the current level.
• To expand international capital participation in our Far Eastern and Arctic projects, we need to make use of the potential of the Eastern Exchange. As I have already said, we plan to establish a modern financial centre on its basis.
• We need to develop new cross-border routes with Asia-Pacific, #BRICS and #EAEU countries. We are open to cooperation with all our partners in this area.
Full transcript
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Remarks and answers to questions by Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at a lecture hosted by the Russian Znanie Society on the sidelines of the 11th Eastern Economic Forum (Vladivostok, September 3, 2026)
Key points:
• We are not building walls, nor do we want to cut ourselves off from Europe. It is Europe that has cut itself off from us. It apparently believed that our past cooperation mattered so much to Russia that we would come running back and beg: “All right, forgive us, forget what happened. Let us return – just lift the sanctions”. That is not going to happen.
• NATO and the EU – always need an enemy. Without an artificially created image of Russia as the enemy, people would get rid of their governments in the overwhelming majority of EU and NATO countries.
• When German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that he would once again make Germany Europe’s leading military power, I was simply stunned. If this person does not understand what the word “again” means in this context, that is deeply troubling and extremely dangerous for Europe, which is once again becoming a source of ideas of national and racial superiority.
• Germany has Goethe-Institut branches in Moscow, St Petersburg and Novosibirsk. Of course, they will be closed after our cultural centre was expelled from Germany. Otherwise, we would have no self-respect.
• If the legislative prohibition of the Russian language in education, culture, daily life, and the media reflects European values, then Europe is welcome to revert to Nazism. The ban on the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church likewise aligns with “European values”.
• The principles on which we, and everyone else, recognised Ukraine’s independence were thrown on the scrap heap long ago. Yet the West continues to defend Ukraine as a country supposedly standing up for “European values”. Meanwhile, the EU has economically shot itself in both the foot and the head, and in other parts of the body as well, by rejecting Russian energy supplies and blowing up the Nord Stream pipelines.
Read in full
Key points:
• We are not building walls, nor do we want to cut ourselves off from Europe. It is Europe that has cut itself off from us. It apparently believed that our past cooperation mattered so much to Russia that we would come running back and beg: “All right, forgive us, forget what happened. Let us return – just lift the sanctions”. That is not going to happen.
• NATO and the EU – always need an enemy. Without an artificially created image of Russia as the enemy, people would get rid of their governments in the overwhelming majority of EU and NATO countries.
• When German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that he would once again make Germany Europe’s leading military power, I was simply stunned. If this person does not understand what the word “again” means in this context, that is deeply troubling and extremely dangerous for Europe, which is once again becoming a source of ideas of national and racial superiority.
• Germany has Goethe-Institut branches in Moscow, St Petersburg and Novosibirsk. Of course, they will be closed after our cultural centre was expelled from Germany. Otherwise, we would have no self-respect.
• If the legislative prohibition of the Russian language in education, culture, daily life, and the media reflects European values, then Europe is welcome to revert to Nazism. The ban on the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church likewise aligns with “European values”.
• The principles on which we, and everyone else, recognised Ukraine’s independence were thrown on the scrap heap long ago. Yet the West continues to defend Ukraine as a country supposedly standing up for “European values”. Meanwhile, the EU has economically shot itself in both the foot and the head, and in other parts of the body as well, by rejecting Russian energy supplies and blowing up the Nord Stream pipelines.
Read in full
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
⚡️ In connection with Ukrainian statements aimed at creating direct threats to civil aviation, the competent Russian authorities are in contact with the leadership of the International Civil Aviation Organization (#ICAO) in Montreal.
An urgent appeal on the matter has been sent to ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar.
❗️ The Russian Federation has issued a strong protest over Ukraine’s reckless terrorist actions, which run counter to international law.
The NOTAMs issued by the Ukrainian authorities alleging that Russian airspace is unsafe have been categorically rejected. They have no legal force, distort the actual situation and mislead users of Russian airspace.
We called on the ICAO Secretary General to condemn the Kiev regime’s unlawful interference in civil aviation and the direct threats it is creating, and to take targeted steps to put an end to these actions by Ukraine.
☝️ The Russian Federation remains firmly committed to ensuring the safety of civil aviation.
An urgent appeal on the matter has been sent to ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar.
❗️ The Russian Federation has issued a strong protest over Ukraine’s reckless terrorist actions, which run counter to international law.
The NOTAMs issued by the Ukrainian authorities alleging that Russian airspace is unsafe have been categorically rejected. They have no legal force, distort the actual situation and mislead users of Russian airspace.
We called on the ICAO Secretary General to condemn the Kiev regime’s unlawful interference in civil aviation and the direct threats it is creating, and to take targeted steps to put an end to these actions by Ukraine.
☝️ The Russian Federation remains firmly committed to ensuring the safety of civil aviation.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎉 Today Moscow and Muscovites celebrate #CityDay — a holiday that reflects our Motherland’s history, culture, and traditions.
This year, our beloved capital turns 8️⃣7️⃣9️⃣ years old.
📜 Moscow was first mentioned in the ancient chronicles circa 1147. The Ipatiev Chronicle describes an invitation from Prince Yury Dolgoruky to his friends and allies, led by Prince Svyatoslav Olegovich of Novgorod-Seversk, to meet in Moscow:
Over the past centuries, the small fortress and settlement have grown into a global metropolis and the capital of the great country.
Today, Moscow is Russia’s largest city with a population of over 13 million covering an area of over 2'500 square kilometres. In total, more than 20 million people live in the Moscow agglomeration. It has a major role in the country’s political, cultural, and academic life and is an attraction hub for talents and ideas from across the globe.
✨ Moscow's city day is not only a tribute to history but also a look forward into the future. The capital incorporates old traditions and modern achievements, preserving its rich heritage while progressing at a dynamic pace. The Smart City is an exact reflection of our beloved capital — a leader in the digitisation of urban services.
The history of Moscow is a story of courage, creation, and the unity of the entire nation. A Hero City, a symbol of resilience and spiritual strength, Moscow is rightly considered the heart of Russia. Moscow will host more than a hundred events on September 5 and 6 to celebrate its 8️⃣7️⃣9️⃣th Anniversary.
👉 See more about the celebration events
Happy Birthday, dear Moscow! 🎉
#Moscow879
This year, our beloved capital turns 8️⃣7️⃣9️⃣ years old.
📜 Moscow was first mentioned in the ancient chronicles circa 1147. The Ipatiev Chronicle describes an invitation from Prince Yury Dolgoruky to his friends and allies, led by Prince Svyatoslav Olegovich of Novgorod-Seversk, to meet in Moscow:
“Come unto me, brother, to Moscow. And Svyatoslav went to him with his son Oleg.”
Over the past centuries, the small fortress and settlement have grown into a global metropolis and the capital of the great country.
Today, Moscow is Russia’s largest city with a population of over 13 million covering an area of over 2'500 square kilometres. In total, more than 20 million people live in the Moscow agglomeration. It has a major role in the country’s political, cultural, and academic life and is an attraction hub for talents and ideas from across the globe.
✨ Moscow's city day is not only a tribute to history but also a look forward into the future. The capital incorporates old traditions and modern achievements, preserving its rich heritage while progressing at a dynamic pace. The Smart City is an exact reflection of our beloved capital — a leader in the digitisation of urban services.
The history of Moscow is a story of courage, creation, and the unity of the entire nation. A Hero City, a symbol of resilience and spiritual strength, Moscow is rightly considered the heart of Russia. Moscow will host more than a hundred events on September 5 and 6 to celebrate its 8️⃣7️⃣9️⃣th Anniversary.
👉 See more about the celebration events
Happy Birthday, dear Moscow! 🎉
#Moscow879
❤1🔥1
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🗓 Today is Lake Baikal Day. It is celebrated in Russia in late August, early September.
There is no single date, however, as the lake is located across several regions of the Russian Federation — Irkutsk Region, the Republic of Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai — each of which sets its own date for the celebration.
Thus, in Buryatia, Lake Baikal Day is observed on the first Sunday of August; in Irkutsk Region — on the first Sunday of September; and in Zabaykalsky Krai — on the second Sunday of September. The different dates make it possible to hold environmental, educational and cultural events over several weeks, ensuring maximum public attention to Lake Baikal and the need to preserve its unique ecosystem.
The date was first established in 1999 at the initiative of public organisations and environmentalists. The immediate impetus was #Baikal’s inclusion in 1996 on the #UNESCO World Heritage List. The decision was based on the unique combination of geological features significant for the study of the Earth’s evolution, as well as the richness and diversity of Baikal’s flora and fauna. The lake’s inclusion on the UNESCO list confirmed its global environmental value.
💬 From the greeting by Alexander Kozlov, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia, on the occasion of Lake Baikal Day:
***
🔹 Lake Baikal is 636 km long, stretching from southwest to northeast in the shape of a giant crescent. Its width ranges from 24 to 79 km, while its water surface covers 31,722 km² (excluding islands). The length of its shoreline exceeds 2,000 km.
Baikal is the deepest lake on the planet. Its maximum depth reaches 1,642 metres, while its average depth is approximately 744 metres.
Lake Baikal contains approximately 23,615 km³ of water. It is the world’s largest natural reservoir of fresh water, holding around 20% of the world’s surface freshwater reserves.
Baikal is a true museum of endemic species — species found nowhere else on Earth. The lake is home to around 2,600 species of animals and plants, approximately 60–70% of which are endemic, including the beloved Baikal seal — the world’s only freshwater seal species.
#Russia
There is no single date, however, as the lake is located across several regions of the Russian Federation — Irkutsk Region, the Republic of Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai — each of which sets its own date for the celebration.
Thus, in Buryatia, Lake Baikal Day is observed on the first Sunday of August; in Irkutsk Region — on the first Sunday of September; and in Zabaykalsky Krai — on the second Sunday of September. The different dates make it possible to hold environmental, educational and cultural events over several weeks, ensuring maximum public attention to Lake Baikal and the need to preserve its unique ecosystem.
The date was first established in 1999 at the initiative of public organisations and environmentalists. The immediate impetus was #Baikal’s inclusion in 1996 on the #UNESCO World Heritage List. The decision was based on the unique combination of geological features significant for the study of the Earth’s evolution, as well as the richness and diversity of Baikal’s flora and fauna. The lake’s inclusion on the UNESCO list confirmed its global environmental value.
💬 From the greeting by Alexander Kozlov, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia, on the occasion of Lake Baikal Day:
Preserving Baikal and its ecosystems is one of the priorities of Russia’s state environmental policy. To this end, a network of specially protected natural areas has been established, and Russia’s first nature reserve, the Barguzinsky Nature Reserve, was created right here, on the shores of Lake Baikal.
***
🔹 Lake Baikal is 636 km long, stretching from southwest to northeast in the shape of a giant crescent. Its width ranges from 24 to 79 km, while its water surface covers 31,722 km² (excluding islands). The length of its shoreline exceeds 2,000 km.
Baikal is the deepest lake on the planet. Its maximum depth reaches 1,642 metres, while its average depth is approximately 744 metres.
Lake Baikal contains approximately 23,615 km³ of water. It is the world’s largest natural reservoir of fresh water, holding around 20% of the world’s surface freshwater reserves.
Baikal is a true museum of endemic species — species found nowhere else on Earth. The lake is home to around 2,600 species of animals and plants, approximately 60–70% of which are endemic, including the beloved Baikal seal — the world’s only freshwater seal species.
#Russia
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🇺🇳 From September 7 to October 7, Geneva will host the 63rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council.
The Session is expected to address a broad range of issues on the international human rights agenda, including:
• protection and promotion of economic, social and cultural rights,
• ensuring the right to development,
• protection of children,
• combating discrimination against women,
• advancing the interests of indigenous peoples,
• preventing the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, as well as other thematic issues.
At Russia’s initiative, a high-level thematic discussion will be held to mark the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the International Covenants on Human Rights.
The Council will adopt the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of the national reports of Belgium, Denmark, Latvia, Namibia, Niger, Nicaragua, Mozambique, Palau, Paraguay, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Singapore, Somalia, Sierra Leone and Estonia.
At the initiative of the EU, the Council will once again consider a politicised and highly confrontational draft resolution on the human rights situation in Russia, aimed at extending for another year the mandate of the relevant HRC Special Rapporteur, Mariana Katzarova of Bulgaria.
❗️ Russia’s stance on this matter remains unchanged: we do not recognise the mandate of this illegitimate special procedure, and any form of interaction with it is unacceptable to us.
The Russian delegation, which will participate in the Session as an observer, intends, as before, to make active use of all available opportunities to overcome confrontation and promote a unifying agenda, as well as to foster among international partners an understanding of the importance of establishing constructive international dialogue on the promotion and protection of human rights, with due respect for the national, religious, cultural and historical characteristics of every state.
A number of special side events will be organised to present Russia’s approaches to the most pressing issues on the session’s agenda to the international community.
The Session is expected to address a broad range of issues on the international human rights agenda, including:
• protection and promotion of economic, social and cultural rights,
• ensuring the right to development,
• protection of children,
• combating discrimination against women,
• advancing the interests of indigenous peoples,
• preventing the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, as well as other thematic issues.
At Russia’s initiative, a high-level thematic discussion will be held to mark the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the International Covenants on Human Rights.
The Council will adopt the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of the national reports of Belgium, Denmark, Latvia, Namibia, Niger, Nicaragua, Mozambique, Palau, Paraguay, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Singapore, Somalia, Sierra Leone and Estonia.
At the initiative of the EU, the Council will once again consider a politicised and highly confrontational draft resolution on the human rights situation in Russia, aimed at extending for another year the mandate of the relevant HRC Special Rapporteur, Mariana Katzarova of Bulgaria.
❗️ Russia’s stance on this matter remains unchanged: we do not recognise the mandate of this illegitimate special procedure, and any form of interaction with it is unacceptable to us.
The Russian delegation, which will participate in the Session as an observer, intends, as before, to make active use of all available opportunities to overcome confrontation and promote a unifying agenda, as well as to foster among international partners an understanding of the importance of establishing constructive international dialogue on the promotion and protection of human rights, with due respect for the national, religious, cultural and historical characteristics of every state.
A number of special side events will be organised to present Russia’s approaches to the most pressing issues on the session’s agenda to the international community.