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📺 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’sgreetings and video message on Diplomats’ Day (February 10, 2026) 💬 Friends, Today marks Diplomats’ Day, our professional holiday. I would like to use this occasion to wish a happy holiday to all Russian diplomats who are working at the Central Office and territorial offices, and diplomats fulfilling their duty abroad. The history of Russian diplomacy spans many centuries and follows every stage of Russia becoming stronger as a state. Times change, but our spiritual and moral values — sincere, dedicated, and selfless devotion to the Fatherland, and firm commitment to the ideals of truth and justice — remain unshakeable. We are rightfully proud of the achievements of our outstanding predecessors. We honour the courage of the staff of the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs who, during the tumultuous years of the Great Patriotic War, took arms to defend the Motherland. Their immortal feat stands as a benchmark for Foreign Ministry personnel and staff of subordinate institutions participating in the special military operation. Other ministerial staff members are also involved and are helping the front line soldiers and their families, and supporting those affected by crimes committed by Ukrainian neo-Nazis. Today, as we are witnessing another turning point in history, Russian diplomacy continues to do everything within its power to ensure safe and favourable external conditions for Russia’s steady domestic development and for improving the quality of life of its people. In many ways, our consistent and balanced foreign policy course sets the trajectory of global transformations, thus facilitating the emergence of a new multipolar world order. We seek to further develop honest and equitable international cooperation based on mutual understanding, trust, and neighbourliness. Following President Putin’s initiative, we are working to establish, across the Eurasian region, architecture of equal and indivisible security and extensive practical cooperation. In this context, we attach particular importance to the conclusion and implementation of bilateral agreements, including our treaties on security guarantees with Belarus and on comprehensive strategic partnership with the DPRK and Iran. We continue to expand relations across multiple areas with the World Majority, among them countries such as China, India, and other like-minded countries, our strategic partners and allies, primarily within the #CSTO, the #EAEU, and the #CIS, as well as the #SCO and #BRICS. Countering neo-colonial practices of all kinds ranging from unilateral coercive measures to military interventions remains firmly in our focus. In this context, we reaffirm our solidarity with the peoples of Venezuela and Cuba. We are convinced that only they can determine their own future. ☝️ The country’s leadership and Russian society hold our work to high standards. We are required to demonstrate discipline and dedication, as well as a passionate and creative approach to our duties. I trust that you will continue to work honourably for the good of the Fatherland and to contribute your share to addressing large-scale foreign policy goals set by the President. On this day, we express special gratitude to former ministerial employees, who taught us the fundamentals of diplomacy by their example. Many of them, to the extent of their abilities, remain active in the close-knit diplomatic ranks. By all means, I would like to separately thank all the relatives and loved ones of our employees. Your unconditional support gives us strength and keeps us focused. It is especially important for those who carry out their diplomatic service far from the Motherland. Once again, happy Diplomats’ Day to all. I wish you excellent health, well-being, and new accomplishments for the benefit of the Fatherland. #DiplomatsDay

📺 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’sgreetings and video message on Diplomats’ Day (February 10, 2026) 💬 Friends, Today marks Diplomats’ Day, our professional holiday. I would like to use this occasion to wish a happy holiday to all Russian diplomats who are working at the Central Office and territorial offices, and diplomats fulfilling their duty abroad. The history of Russian diplomacy spans many centuries and follows every stage of Russia becoming stronger as a state. Times change, but our spiritual and moral values — sincere, dedicated, and selfless devotion to the Fatherland, and firm commitment to the ideals of truth and justice — remain unshakeable. We are rightfully proud of the achievements of our outstanding predecessors. We honour the courage of the staff of the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs who, during the tumultuous years of the Great Patriotic War, took arms to defend the Motherland. Their immortal feat stands as a benchmark for Foreign Ministry personnel and staff of subordinate institutions participating in the special military operation. Other ministerial staff members are also involved and are helping the front line soldiers and their families, and supporting those affected by crimes committed by Ukrainian neo-Nazis. Today, as we are witnessing another turning point in history, Russian diplomacy continues to do everything within its power to ensure safe and favourable external conditions for Russia’s steady domestic development and for improving the quality of life of its people. In many ways, our consistent and balanced foreign policy course sets the trajectory of global transformations, thus facilitating the emergence of a new multipolar world order. We seek to further develop honest and equitable international cooperation based on mutual understanding, trust, and neighbourliness. Following President Putin’s initiative, we are working to establish, across the Eurasian region, architecture of equal and indivisible security and extensive practical cooperation. In this context, we attach particular importance to the conclusion and implementation of bilateral agreements, including our treaties on security guarantees with Belarus and on comprehensive strategic partnership with the DPRK and Iran. We continue to expand relations across multiple areas with the World Majority, among them countries such as China, India, and other like-minded countries, our strategic partners and allies, primarily within the #CSTO, the #EAEU, and the #CIS, as well as the #SCO and #BRICS. Countering neo-colonial practices of all kinds ranging from unilateral coercive measures to military interventions remains firmly in our focus. In this context, we reaffirm our solidarity with the peoples of Venezuela and Cuba. We are convinced that only they can determine their own future. ☝️ The country’s leadership and Russian society hold our work to high standards. We are required to demonstrate discipline and dedication, as well as a passionate and creative approach to our duties. I trust that you will continue to work honourably for the good of the Fatherland and to contribute your share to addressing large-scale foreign policy goals set by the President. On this day, we express special gratitude to former ministerial employees, who taught us the fundamentals of diplomacy by their example. Many of them, to the extent of their abilities, remain active in the close-knit diplomatic ranks. By all means, I would like to separately thank all the relatives and loved ones of our employees. Your unconditional support gives us strength and keeps us focused. It is especially important for those who carry out their diplomatic service far from the Motherland. Once again, happy Diplomats’ Day to all. I wish you excellent health, well-being, and new accomplishments for the benefit of the Fatherland. #DiplomatsDay

⚡️Main Foreign Policy Outcomes of 2022⚡️ The year 2022 saw history-making events, such as the emergence of a new international reality, and became a turning point for Russia’s foreign policy. 👉 The recognition of the Donetsk & Lugansk People’s Republics, the start of the Special Military Operation in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, the referendums held in the DPR & LPR and the liberated territories of the Zaporozhye & Kherson regions and their subsequent integration into Russia – these events will forever go down in the history of Russia. They put an end to 30 years of Russia’s honest attempts to develop equitable relations with the collective West. ✍️ Russia & other like-minded countries adopted a political declaration in support of the inviolability of the UN Charter. ✍️ An overwhelming majority of states members of the UN GA approved the annual Russia-initiated resolution on combating the glorification of Nazism. ✍️ At Russia’s initiative, the Joint Statement of the Leaders of the 5 Nuclear-Weapon States on Preventing Nuclear War & Avoiding Arms Races was adopted in January 2022. ✅ International cooperation within the framework of the #EAEU, #SCO & #BRICS made rapid headway. ✅ Allied relations with Belarus continued to grow stronger. ✅ Several major initiatives have been implemented within the framework of the #CIS aimed at strengthening integration ties in all spheres of the organisation’s activities. ✅ The mechanisms of the #CSTO operated efficiently. Russian diplomats have significantly stepped up efforts to achieve the peaceful settlement of international conflicts. Russia extensively supported stabilising the situation in Afghanistan. Russia has promoted a complex approach to the Syrian dossier, including within the Astana format. We have promoted comprehensive normalisation of the relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We have successfully developed ties with our many international partners who are interested in maintaining a constructive dialogue with Russia. Read in full

#Announcement 🗓 On May 27-29, 2025, in Moscow, Secretary of the Russian Security Council Sergey Shoigu will chair the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues. Invitations to participate in this forum have been extended to more than 150 states of the Global South and East, the #CIS, #CSTO, #EAEU, and #SCO countries, as well as to the leaders of more than 20 international organisations. The agenda of the 13th forum focuses on international security cooperation. ℹ️ The Security Council of the Russian Federation has been holding the annual international meetings of high representatives in charge of security issues since 2010. It is an important international platform for exchange of views on all global security-related issues and mechanisms to strengthen cooperation between partner countries to combat international terrorism, extremism, transnational crime, drug trafficking, as well as new challenges and threats. Media accreditation is open until May 20, 2025

🤝 On March 16-17, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Secretary-General Zhang Mingpaid a working visit to Moscow. The Secretary-General was received by Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation. He also held consultations with Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko. During the exchange of views, they discussed key aspects of the organisation’s activities, including prospects for improvement in the context of current changes in global politics and the economy. 👆The Parties discussed the growing demand for creativity and the stabilising role of the SCO in today’s complex geopolitical situation and its notable contribution to shaping a multipolar architecture of international relations. They exchanged views on strengthening the international standing of the #SCO with a focus on the need to deepen the dialogue with international partner organisations and multilateral associations, primarily the United Nations, the #CSTO, the #CIS, the #EAEU and also #ASEAN. The Parties expressed the importance of enhancing the efficiency of the secretariat’s work with a view to further consolidating the SCO. Read in full

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues(Moscow, May 28, 2025) Key talking points: 💬 Global South and East countries are becoming increasingly vocal when discussing and addressing the most urgent and key challenges the world is facing today. This reflects a tectonic shift in international politics, which took place over the past years and continues to this day. It primarily consists of an accelerated emergence of a multipolar world order, as well as new centres of development across the Eurasian continent, Africa and Latin America taking on a bigger role in the global distribution of power. • #BRICS exemplifies constructive multilateral cooperation among major international actors and their partners representing various continents, cultures and religions. It has firmly established itself as one of the pillars of a multipolar world order and a champion of the Global Majority on the international stage. • Upholding international law and seeking guidance from the principles of equality and neighbourly relations, as well as mutual respect and taking into account each other’s interests guarantees peace and stability. • The conflict in Ukraine (and more fundamentally, the profound security crisis across Europe) was triggered precisely by NATO’s aggressive eastward expansion over decades that was in direct contravention of the solemn assurances by American and European leaders to both Soviet and Russian leadership regarding the alliance’s non-expansion. • The alliance [NATO] is now taking steps to operate outside its area of responsibility, seeking to move into the Asia-Pacific region — the Indo-Pacific, as they call it — threatening to undermine the #ASEAN-centric security architecture that has developed there over decades and allowed the countries in the region and their partners in different parts of the world to successfully cooperate. This causes deep concern for the future of ASEAN and the future well-being of its member states. • We advocate for the creation, under current conditions, of a global security architecture rooted in the objective trends of multipolarity, the emergence of new growth centres, and one that guarantees equal conditions for the peaceful development of all states without exception. <...> The foundation for this already exists – the UN Charter. What is required is for all to adhere to it in good faith. • A crucial step towards the goal of global security is the formation of an architecture of equal and indivisible security on the Eurasian continent — the most expansive and resource-rich region, the stability of which underpins the resilience of a multipolar world. • Russia does not seek to impose anything on anyone and is ready to engage in mutually respectful dialogue with everyone. We will keep perfecting the existing security mechanisms and put them to use as part of our engagement with the #CSTO, #CIS, and the #SCO. • As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia is aware of the responsibility it has for international relations in all their aspects on the international stage, including in terms of promoting peace, strategic stability, conflict settlement and a unifying agenda. Read in full

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at a gala meeting devoted to Diplomatic Worker’s Day(Moscow, February 9, 2024) Key talking points: 🔵 This is not the first time that our country is at the peak of geopolitical processes. This is why Russia’s place in the emerging multipolar world and the future of the world itself largely depends on us, on our dedication and a correct understanding of the priorities. 🔵 The US-led collective West is not letting up in its attempts to impose an unfair unipolar global arrangement on the world. 🔵 Acting together with the countries of the global majority, our associates in the international arena, we will continue working for the unconditional guarantees for our lawful interests in regional security based on the principle of an indivisible Russia. 🔵 The hybrid war unleashed by the West against those who object to its global striving to maintain its domination is creating not only obstacles but also impetuses for strengthening versatile ties. 🔵 We intend to continue consolidating our strategic partnerships with the PRC, India, Brazil, South Africa, Algeria, Egypt, Syria, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua and a vast number of other countries that share our conceptual approaches to the world situation and the prospects for the development of our common planet. 🔵 We attach primary importance to reaching the goals of Russia’s current presidency in the #CIS and the expanded #BRICS. 🔵 We focus in particular on advancing BRICS’ relations with regional and sub-regional association from the Global South 🔵 We will continue to work within the #G20, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, the East Asia Summit mechanisms, and other multilateral associations that include the participation of Western representatives. 🔵 We will do our best to help further strengthen the #SCO in the interests of effectively addressing pressing international issues and promoting our concept for strengthening Eurasian security across the board. Read in full #DiplomatsDay

🎙 FM Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at the reception on Africa Day (Moscow, May 26, 2025) 💬 Sergey Lavrov: Each year in May, we traditionally convene at the Foreign Ministry Mansion to mark Africa Day — a commemoration that holds profound significance not only for Africans but for all humanity. This date symbolises the surmounting of a colonial past and embodies the unwavering resolve of African peoples in their quest for freedom and justice. <...> This year is marked by the 80th Anniversary of the end of the Great Patriotic War and the Second World War, as well as the 65th Anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. This is emphasised in the message from President of Russia Vladimir Putin. These epoch-making events are closely interconnected. On May 10, 1945, in a congratulatory telegram to the head of the Soviet government, Joseph Stalin, Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia remarked: “This victory, bringing us the end of the most savage tyranny the world has ever known, has ushered in the threshold of an era of greater happiness and justice for all peoples threatened with annihilation.” ☝️We remember and honour the hundreds of thousands of Africans who fought in the armies of the anti-Hitler coalition, hastening Victory. In turn, the defeat of Nazism galvanised the national liberation movement, accelerating the collapse of the colonial system. Our nation made an immense contribution to the decolonisation process, grounded in one of the UN Charter’s key principles — the right of nations to self-determination. For many years, we selflessly supported Africans in their struggle for freedom and independence, consistently aiding the formation of young states and their comprehensive socio-economic development. Today, Russia continues to foster the strengthening of Africa’s position as a unique and influential centre of global development. In particular, we support African aspirations to secure a permanent ‘seat’ within the UN Security Council. We will further assist interested African nations in enhancing their defence capabilities, countering terrorism, and ensuring food and energy security. In recent years, the African continent, asserting itself as one of the pillars of a sustainable multipolar world order, has achieved impressive results. Such progress has largely been made possible by the collective will of Africans to address shared challenges and pursue common goals. We welcome the dynamic development of integration processes, which strengthen solidarity across the continent and amplifyitsvoice. The African Union plays a pivotal role in this regard. <...> 🤝Russia remains a reliable and steadfast partner to African nations in strengthening their sovereignty, the foremost threat to which remains persistent neocolonial practices. <...> One of the most dynamic areas of Russian-African cooperation remains education. Today, more than 32,000 African students are enrolled in our universities. Our collaboration with the African Union and other multilateral structures on the continent is expanding actively. We see significant potential in fostering their ties with Eurasian integration bodies the #EAEU, #CSTO, and #SCO. Naturally, we wholeheartedly support the development of cooperative relations between the African Union and #BRICS. Our commitment to deepening a multifaceted strategic partnership with Africa is reflected in the establishment of a new structural unit within the Russian Foreign Ministry — the Department of Partnership with Africa. On the agenda is the preparation of the second ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, to be held this year in an African country. There is no doubt that its outcomes will contribute to the substantive groundwork for the third Russia-Africa Summit, planned for 2026 — also on the African continent. <...> I would like to once again extend my congratulations on this occasion and wish the peoples of Africa and all those present peace, health, and prosperity. Read in full #RussiaAfrica

#Announcement 🗓 On May 27-29, 2025, in Moscow, Secretary of the Russian Security Council Sergey Shoigu will chair the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues. Invitations to participate in this forum have been extended to more than 150 states of the Global South and East, the #ASEAN, #CIS, #CSTO, #EAEU, and #SCO countries, as well as to the leaders of more than 20 international organisations. The agenda of the 13th forum focuses on international security cooperation 🗓 The 5th ASEAN-Russia Consultations of the High Representatives for Security Issues will be traditionally held on the sidelines of the event. 🚩 The Security Council of the Russian Federation has been holding the annual international meetings of high representatives in charge of security issues since 2010. It is an important international platform for exchange of views on all global security-related issues and mechanisms to strengthen cooperation between partner countries to combat international terrorism, extremism, transnational crime, drug trafficking, as well as new challenges and threats.

❗️Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement on the beginning of Russia’s CSTO Presidency On January 1, 2026, Russia assumed the presidency of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (#CSTO) and will hold it under the motto, Collective Security in a Multipolar World: Common Goal, Shared Responsibility. Together with our CSTO allies, we are joining forces to uphold our common approaches to resolving international security issues. The fundamental documents of the Organisation set forth the principles of peaceful co-existence of states, the priority of a political and diplomatic settlement, and compliance with the international law with the UN playing a leading role. This forms the foundation for working with our partners to forge mutually beneficial relations and to actively engage in shaping the contours of a future architecture of equal and indivisible security across the Eurasian space. The CSTO could become one of its pillars. We would like the Eurasian states to take responsibility for resolving security issues and determine the future of the continent themselves, without any outside interference. The Collective Security Treaty Organisation has emerged as a prominent and respected association of allied states, whose activities are not directed against anyone, do not contain any aggressive aspirations, and aim exclusively to maintain regional stability and ensure the wellbeing of its member states. Moreover, all decisions in the Organisation are made by consensus based on a balance of interests, and cooperation is based on the principles of respect for each other, good neighbourliness, genuine friendship and mutual support. 🤝Russia will ensure continuity in the development of main areas of cooperation, among other things, by continuing to work on implementing the initiatives of the presidency of the Kyrgyz Republic which has just finished. In view of geopolitical tension, we will strive to further consolidate CSTO member states, strengthen allied ties, and deepen coordination on key international matters. We will continue our policy of expanding the CSTO’s network of contacts with the Eurasian states and their integration associations. Our efforts will focus on effectively fulfilling the Organisation’s primary mission which consists of maintaining peace and stability in its area of responsibility, ensuring favourable conditions for safe development and prosperity of the CSTO member states. No one should have any doubts: we will not allow any chaos in our common home. We attach great importance to the development of the enforcement dimension in the Organisation’s work. There are plans to focus on building up the capabilities of the Collective Forces of the CSTO, equipping them with up-to-date and compatible weapons and equipment. The work will be structured in accordance with the nature of current and potential challenges, taking into consideration the experience of present-day armed conflicts. We will pay special attention to cooperation in protection against biological threats and information security. Ensuring technological leadership in the military sphere, developing military-industrial complexes of the CSTO countries and promoting their cooperation, and fulfilling the innovative potential will also be among our priorities. We intend to use a wider range of tools for jointly countering international terrorism and extremism, money laundering and terrorist financing, as well as combating illicit drug and arms trafficking, transnational organised crime, and illegal migration. <...> We are confident in the support of our partners in implementing the priorities of the Russian presidency, and ready to work closely together and productively in 2026. I am convinced that through joint efforts we will bring cooperation within the CSTO to a new level to preserve and strengthen peace in the Organisation’s space. Read in full