Russian MFA 🇷🇺

⚡️On April 8, Japan’s Ambassador to Moscow Akira Muto was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry and issued a protest over reports that Tokyo-based Terra Drone Corporation had entered into an investment agreement with a Ukrainian developer of combat drones. The head of the Japanese diplomatic mission was told that Ukraine’s systematic criminal provocations involving UAV attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful residents on Russian territory give us every reason to regard such a step as openly hostile and detrimental to our country’s security interests, including the protection of civilians. During the discussion of the current state of bilateral relations, the Russian side stressed that, as a result of the unfriendly policy pursued by official Tokyo – a course unfortunately continued by the new cabinet of Sanae Takaichi – relations between the two countries have deteriorated to an unprecedented low. ☝️ It was noted that, if the Japanese side is genuinely interested in resuming interstate dialogue, it must demonstrate this not in words, but through concrete actions and practical steps.

🔴#LIVE: Briefing by Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on topical foreign policy issues 🔴X (ex-Twitter) 🔴 Facebook 🔴Ruptly 🔴Russia’s MFA website

🔴#LIVE: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at the 46th meeting of the Council of Regional Governors under the Russian MFA auspices 🔴Ruptly 🔴Russia's MFA Website

🇷🇺🇹🇯 On April 8, 1992 – 3️⃣4️⃣ years ago – diplomatic relations were established between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan. 📃 Since then, our two countries have signed over 200 interstate treaties and agreements covering various fields of bilateral cooperation. The cornerstone documents are the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan of May 25, 1993, and the Treaty on Allied Interaction between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan oriented towards the 21st Century of April 16, 1999. 🤝 Russia and Tajikistan maintain an active political dialogue. The strategic nature of Russian-Tajikistani cooperation is underscored by numerous meetings at the highest and high levels. In October 2025, President Vladimir Putin paid a state visit to Tajikistan. This resulted in the signing of several bilateral documents, including the approval of a joint action plan to increase trade turnover 2.5-fold by 2030. The Leaders met again on December 22 in St Petersburg on the sidelines of the informal summit of CIS heads of state. 📈Russia remains one of Tajikistan’s key trade and economic partners. By the end of 2025, bilateral trade had grown by 24.8 percent, reaching approximately $2.5 billion. For several years running, Russia has held a leading position in terms of direct investment in the republic’s economy. Bilateral cooperation in countering terrorist threats, as well as in the migration, humanitarian, and educational spheres, continues to flourish. In this context, mechanisms for interaction between relevant ministries and agencies are constantly being refined. Our countries also work together effectively within the #CIS, the #CSTO and the #SCO, as well as other integration frameworks. 🎊 We extend our congratulations to our Tajikistani friends and colleagues on this shared anniversary! #RussiaTajikistan

The Embassy has been approached by several Australian media outlets regarding the arrest of an Australian citizen from Adelaide who allegedly worked for the Ukraine military as a drone operator without authorisation. The decision to initiate criminal proceedings against this individual, as far as we understand, has been taken in accordance with Australian law. The Russian side considers him, as well as several dozen other Australians who had been and are fighting on the side of the Ukrainian armed forces, to bemercenaries. According to Russian law, a mercenary is a person acting for the purpose of receiving material compensation and who is not a citizen of a state participating in an armed conflict or military actions, does not permanently reside on its territory, and is not a person sent to perform official duties. Under Part 3 of Article 359 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Mercenarism”), participation of a mercenary in an armed conflict or military actions shall be punishable by imprisonment for a term of seven to fifteen years with or without restriction of liberty for a term of up to one year. At the same time, we emphasise that granting Australian citizens authorisations to work for the Ukrainian armed forces would mean Australia’s direct engagement in the conflict.

⚡️ANNOUNCEMENT⚡️ 🇷🇺🇺🇳On April 13, 2026,a solemn ceremony of laying flowers will be held in the UN Office in Geneva (Ariana Park) at the "Conquest of Space" monument in honor of the 65th anniversary of the First Human Space Flight of Yuri Gagarin. Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, Ambassador Gennady Gatilov and Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva Tatiana Valovaya will open the event with their welcoming speeches. 👨‍🚀 The monument was officially donated to the UN by the USSR Minister of Culture, Yekaterina Furtseva, on July 20, 1971. 🌌 The participants of the upcoming ceremony will pay a tribute to the feat of Yuri Gagarin, as well as the heroic and selfless work of all those who made the First Human Space Flight possible. 📅Date: April 13, 2026. 🕛Time: 12:00 - 13:00 hrs. 📍Place: Palais des Nations, Ariana Park, the "Conquest of Space" monument. ❗️Attention! Anyone wishing to visit the event (especially those who do not have permanent UN accreditation) must register using the LINK and activate the badge at the Pregny Gate. 🚀See you at the ceremony! #Gagarin65 #ForeverFirst

#KievRegimeCrimes ⚡️Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rodion Miroshnik: 💬Two children were killed and 10 more were injured in attacks by Ukrainian militants over the past week. In total, more than 170 civilians were affected during this period A series of large-scale attacks on civilians and energy infrastructure during the major Orthodox feast of Palm Sunday lies on the conscience of Ukrainian militants. The highest number of civilian casualties was recorded in the Belgorod, Kherson, Zaporozhye and Bryansk regions, as well as in the Krasnodar Territory. In these regions, civilian infrastructure and the civilian population came under drone, missile and artillery strikes by Kiev’s militants. On March 30 – April 5, 176 civilians were affected by shelling carried out by Ukrainian Nazis: 151 people were injured, including 10 children, while 25 people were killed, among them two minors. In total, Ukrainian armed formations fired at least 3,301 munitions at civilian targets on Russian territory.

🗓On April 7, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov received in Moscow Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, a candidate for the post of UN Secretary-General. Sergey Lavrov conveyed Russia’s position thatcandidates for the top UN post must strictly adhere to the principles of the UN Charter, pursue an impartial line in the interests of all member states, and work to adapt the Organisation to multipolar realities. Rebeca Grynspan presented her campaign platform, focusing on approaches to addressing current challenges, organising the UN’s day-to-day work, and carrying out reforms aimed at fully restoring its effectiveness and operational capacity. #UNCharterIsOurRules: Both Sides reaffirmed their commitment to the UN’s central coordinating role in world affairs.

🇷🇺🇦🇪📞On April 7, Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the UAE Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan had a telephone conversation. The Ministers held a in-depth exchange of views on the ongoing unprecedented escalation of the military-political situation in the Persian Gulf area. They stressed the importance of an immediate cessation of hostilities, which are causing loss of life and inflicting serious damage on vital civilian infrastructure, including in countries not taking part in the armed confrontation. They reaffirmed their mutual commitment to maintaining close foreign policy coordination between Moscow and Abu Dhabi with a view to facilitating a peaceful settlement of the crisis in the Middle East on the basis of international law and with the unconditional consideration of the legitimate interests of the states of the region. Sergey Lavrov strongly condemned the attackscarried out by a group of protesters against the UAE Embassy and the residence of the head of its diplomatic mission in Damascus, describing them as a gross violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The conversation also touched upon a number of topical issues related to the further development of the Russia-UAE strategic partnership in line with the agreements reached during talks at the highest level. #RussiaUAE

🗓On April 6, Reception House of the Russian Foreign Ministry hosted a meeting between the leadership of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group and the Ambassadors to Moscow of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (#OIC) member states. The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Head of the Republic of Tatarstan and Chairman of the Group Rustam Minnikhanov, as well as representatives of Russia’s federal and regional authorities and leaders of religious organisations. The participants were briefed on the Group’s current activities and future plans. The programme of the 17th International Economic Forum “Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum”, due to take place in May 2026, was also presented. In his address to the participants, Sergey Lavrov stressed the special importance Russia attaches to developing productive dialogue and strengthening comprehensive cooperation with friendly Islamic countries and the OIC, which brings them together. 👉Sergey Lavrov’s remarks The event also underscored the important role played by the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group, which marks its 20th anniversary this year, in expanding this partnership. It was noted that a key unifying factor in our relations is a firm commitment to the goals and principles of the UN Charter in their entirety and interconnectedness, as well as a shared focus on building a just #MultipolarWorldthat opens up new opportunities for equal interaction free from all forms of discrimination.

🇷🇺🇻🇳 President of Russia Vladimir Putin sent a message of congratulations to General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of Vietnam Comrade To Lam. ✍️The message reads, in part: Dear Comrade To Lam, Please acceptmy heartfelt congratulations on your election as President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The decision of the National Assembly has once again testified to your high political standing and the broad support for the course you are pursuing towards accelerating Vietnam’s socio-economic development and defending the country’s legitimate interests on the international stage. I am confident that as President you will contribute to the further strengthening of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Moscow and Hanoi. I look forward to continuing our constructive dialogue and close joint work on current bilateral, regional and international issues. I wish you every success, sound health and well-being. VLADIMIR PUTIN #RussiaVietnam

⚡️Statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry on the situation in the Middle East (April 6, 2026) The large-scale international crisis triggered by the unlawful and unprovoked aggression of the US and Israel against Iran continues to widen and intensify with each passing day. The strikes are becoming ever more fierce and destructive. Their targets now include not only military objectives, but also civilian infrastructure, including, with increasing frequency, nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards. Particular concern is caused by the growing number of reckless attacks on the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, which have already resulted in loss of life. The shadow of a radiological catastrophe – one potentially more devastating than Chernobyl – now looms over the Persian Gulf region and the adjacent part of Eurasia. The armed confrontation has already claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people, including women and children, and has inflicted suffering on civilians. Schools, hospitals and World Heritage sites are being destroyed. Diplomatic and consular missions are also coming under fire, in blatant violation of the fundamental principles of international relations and the relevant Vienna Conventions. Enormous damage has been inflicted on global energy and food security. Critical logistics routes that had functioned without disruption before this criminal US-Israeli gamble have been blocked. Markets have been thrown into disarray, many countries are being forced to introduce fuel rationing, and experts are issuing grim forecasts of economic decline and surging inflation in vulnerable economies. The situation caused by the unlawful and irresponsible actions of Washington and Tel Aviv is deteriorating rapidly and risks spiralling fully out of control. We once again strongly call for an immediate cessation of hostilities. We welcome the efforts of a number of states, including Pakistan, Türkiye and China, to de-escalate tensions around Iran and pave the way for dialogue on a long-term and sustainable normalization of the situation in the Middle East. We also draw attention to the April 2 statement by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in which he called on the US and Israel to stop the war that is causing immense human suffering and dire economic consequences, and on Iran to halt the attacks on its neighbours launched in the wake of the aggression. We believe that there is still a chance for a political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict. The parties to the conflict must abandon the language of threats, unacceptable insults and ultimatums, and avoid actions that could plunge the entire region into irreparable chaos. It is critically important not to undermine the remaining prospects for negotiations aimed at achieving a political and diplomatic solution. We call for this factor to be fully taken into account in the work of the UN Security Council. Responsible members of the international community must prevent the Middle East from sliding into the abyss of an all-consuming war with long-term tragic consequences for the entire world. ☝️Russia, together with its international partners, stands ready to do everything possible to that end.