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#See4Yourself #Think4Yourself “Not an Inch Eastward” they said... – what the West promised and what the West did in a nutshell. To put things in perspective, here's NATO’s expansion over the years. This “defensive” alliance has undergone ten waves of enlargement…

#Victory81 🏅April 4 marks 81 years since the liberation of Bratislava from the Nazi invaders. Slovakia's capital was cleared of Hitler’s occupiers during the Bratislava-Brno Offensive (March 25 – May 5, 1945), carried out by the 2nd Ukrainian Front under the command of Marshal Rodion Malinovsky. 💬 Chief of Staff of the 2nd Ukrainian Front Marshal Matvei Zakharov stressed that Slovak partisans provided valuable assistance to Red Army units and formations, including by sharing timely intelligence: “Before the offensive on Bratislava began, the Front command managed to establish contact with Slovak partisans. They helped us greatly by supplying valuable information about the German army’s fortification system, the defence plans for individual cities, and the strength and combat composition of the enemy forces opposing us”. ☝️To avoid civilian casualties and spare Bratislava’s historic cityscape, Soviet forces refrained from using heavy artillery. By April 2, Red Army formations had broken into the eastern and north-eastern districts of the city. On April 4, Soviet troops reached the central fortress – Bratislava Castle – where the remnants of the German garrison had taken shelter. By the end of the day, the city had fallen. Scattered Nazi units retreated in haste towards Vienna. As during the liberation of other European countries, the Red Army provided humanitarian and economic assistance to the people of Bratislava and helped restore infrastructure. By April 10, 1945, Bratislava’s central streets and squares had already been cleared of rubble and debris, the sewerage system was back in operation, and residents began returning en masse from nearby villages to their homes. During the Bratislava-Brno Offensive, troops of the 2nd Ukrainian Front advanced 200 km, routed 9 Wehrmacht divisions, and created the conditions for further offensives towards Prague and Vienna. 🎆To mark the victory, a ceremonial salute was fired in Moscow. The units that distinguished themselves in the battle for the city were awarded the honorary title “of Bratislava”. 6,845 Red Army soldiers fell in the battle for Bratislava. Most are buried at the Slavin military memorial complex in the centre of the Slovak capital. #WeRemember

⚡️Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s statement regarding reports of renewed strikes on the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant(April 4, 2026) We are receiving with mounting alarm reports of renewed missile strikes on the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant on April 4. We are reviewing the incoming reports. ❗️We strongly condemn this atrocity, which has resulted in loss of life. We extend our condolences over the death of one of the plants’s employees who, according to available information, was responsible for ensuring its physical security. We have taken note of the deep concern expressed by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi over this attack. He stressed, in particular, that NPPs themselves, as well as the surrounding areas where vital nuclear safety systems may be located, must never become targets of military strikes. It is clear that his words are addressed to the aggressors, who continue, with reckless disregard and even a certain morbid zeal, to launch direct attacks on Iran’s nuclear energy infrastructure, which is subject to the NPT and Iran’s Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA. These illegal and reckless actions are an indelible stain on the international reputation of those who direct missiles at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant and other Iranian nuclear facilitiesunder IAEA safeguards, and who give the order to strike them. In effect, they have completely destroyed whatever standing they once claimed in the field of nuclear non-proliferation, as well as nuclear safety and nuclear security, thereby making clear that they themselves recognise no rules or restraints. ❗️We expect that the damage inflicted on the NPT regime by the US and Israeli strikes will be subjected to an impartial and rigorous assessment at the NPT Review Conference opening on April 27. For its part, Russia is doing everything possible to draw the attention of the international community and the wider global public to the fact that the situation around the Bushehr NPP is moving ever closer to a dangerous line. The worst can still be avoided. But for that to happen, strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran, including the Bushehr NPP, must cease immediately.

◾️ On April 4, 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established through the signing of the Washington Treaty by 12 countries from Europe and North America. Since its inception, this “defensive alliance” has continually expanded. Over…

🎙🇷🇺Press release of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Kingdom of the Netherlands (3 April 2026) 🔹Following the considerable attention from the media as well as misleading and deceitful statements made by the Dutch authorities, the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Kingdom of the Netherlands deems it necessary to clarify the situation regarding the revocation of accreditations of Russian and Dutch journalists in Moscow and The Hague respectively. 1⃣The Russian side did not initiate the escalation that resulted in the regrettable situation with the revocation of journalists’ accreditations. Both the Russian authorities and our Embassy in The Hague have consistently supported the free and independent work of journalists from our countries, recognizing its importance in promoting better understanding between our capitals and peoples. 2⃣ It was the decision of the Government of the Netherlands not to prolong the residence permit of Ms. Anastasiia Ivanova, a journalist of the RIA NOVOSTI news agency, that triggered the escalation. The said correspondent had worked in the Netherlands since 2023 openly, honestly and in a very professional way. However, in 2025 the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (the IND) concluded that her presence in the Kingdom “posed a threat to public order” (we quote the letter of the aforementioned authority) and informed her that she could no longer perform her professional duties due to EU sanctions against her employer, RIA NOVOSTI. Under that far-fetched pretext extreme pressure was put on Ms.A.Ivanova in order to create unbearable conditions of her life and work in the Netherlands. ❗️Her bank accounts were frozen because the Dutch authorities refused to provide her with a residence permit and thus she was left without any means of living, including being unable to pay her rent etc. 3⃣ The Russian side has repeatedly tried to persuade the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs that putting pressure on journalists contradicts the fundamental principles of freedom and democracy. The Dutch authorities were also informed that, should Ms.A.Ivanova be forced to leave The Hague, Moscow would be compelled to reciprocate and revoke the accreditation of the NOS correspondent Mr.Geert Groot Koerkamp. 4⃣Unfortunately, the Dutch side ignored the voice of reason, and as a result, both journalists can no longer work in our countries. The Embassy stresses that the initiative and the responsibility for this situation lies solely on the Dutch authorities. Any attempts to accuse Russia of this escalation are ungrounded. Moreover, EU sanctions against the RIA NOVOSTI news agency do not impede the work of its correspondents in other European countries at the moment. 5⃣ Therefore, any suggestions that it was a forced measure by The Hague are absolutely groundless. 6⃣Should the Dutch journalistic community wish to contribute to resolving the current situation, it may consider requesting the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the IND to return the RIA NOVOSTI to the Kingdom and thus facilitate the return of accreditation of the above-mentioned NOS correspondent. The Embassy will cordially welcome such a step.

◾️ On April 4, 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established through the signing of the Washington Treaty by 12 countries from Europe and North America. Since its inception, this “defensive alliance” has continually expanded. Over time, NATO has absorbed 20 new member-states through ten rounds of enlargement, with seven of these occurring after the dissolution of the Soviet Union: in 1999, 2004, 2009, 2017, 2020, 2023, and 2024. The alliance’s military interventions worldwide have always become sources of instability and chaos, directly leading to civilian casualties and devastating consequences — as witnessed in Yugoslavia, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, and other regions. ❗️Back in 2007, during the Munich Security Conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin explicitly highlighted NATO’s destabilizing role in the global order following the Cold War: I think it is obvious that NATO expansion does not have any relation with the modernisation of the Alliance itself or with ensuring security in Europe. On the contrary, it represents a serious provocation that reduces the level of mutual trust. And we have the right to ask: against whom is this expansion intended? Both the Soviet Union and Russia, at various times, sought rapprochement with NATO, even expressing interest in joining the alliance to create a comprehensive security system in Europe. The Soviet-lead Warsaw Pact was established only in 1955 — six years after NATO’s creation. It proves that the USSR did not harbor aggressive intentions toward NATO member states. Prior to this, Moscow aimed to normalize relations and even considered joining the North Atlantic alliance. In March 1954, Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov proposed that the Soviet Union might explore the possibility of NATO membership to reduce tensions between socialist and capitalist blocs and prevent conflicts. However, Western powers rejected this proposal. After the USSR’s dissolution, Russian leadership made further attempts to engage with the alliance. In June 1994, Russia became the first country to join NATO’s “Partnership for Peace” program, aimed at developing bilateral cooperation between the alliance and partner states. Many Western analysts now acknowledge in their memoirs that there was no sense in expanding NATO and keeping Russia “on the sidelines.” In 1997, Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov proposed establishing contacts between the Russian Federation and NATO, leading to the signing of the Russia-NATO Founding Act and the creation of the Russia-NATO Council. Nevertheless, NATO’s expansion continued. 💬 President Vladimir Putin also indicated that he had proposed the idea of Russia joining NATO: There was a moment when I simply suggested: perhaps we should also join NATO? But no, NATO does not need a country like ours. No. I want to know, what else do they need? We thought we became part of the crowd, got a foot in the door. What else were we supposed to do? There was no more ideological confrontation. What was the problem? I guess the problem was their geopolitical interests and arrogance towards others. Their self-aggrandisement was and is the problem.Despite Russia’s initiatives, Western countries rejected these overtures. Despite Russia's good will, all these proposals have been rejected by the West. Today, the North Atlantic bloc remains a tool for forcefully advancing the interests of the “golden billion”. The catastrophic consequences of the alliance’s geopolitical maneuvers are well-known.

🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement and answers to media questions at a joint news conference following talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptian Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt Badr Abdelatty(Moscow, April 3, 2026) Key points: • We noted with satisfaction the positive dynamics of trade, economic, and investment interaction. As of late 2025, bilateral trade exceeded $10 billion, up 12 percent on the year before. • We placed great emphasis on the most acute crisis and the unprecedented escalation in the Persian Gulf that broke out as a result of unprovoked aggression by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran. • Both Russia and Egypt are in favour of an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to the political and diplomatic process in order to resolve existing differences while ensuring the security interests of all countries in the region without exception, including friendly Arab countries of the Gulf such as Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and, of course, the Islamic Republic of Iran. • We discussed the development of Russia’s relations with the League of Arab States headquartered in Cairo. This year, we plan to hold a Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum at the level of foreign ministers. *** From the Q&A session: ❓ Question: Moscow has consistently called for prioritising political and diplomatic settlement in the Middle East, calling for a ceasefire to prevent a full-scale military conflict in the region. Do you observe any response to Russian initiatives from the parties to the conflict? Or are we on the verge of the conflict entering a more dangerous phase? How is work progressing on Bahrain’s proposal for a draft resolution on the protection of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz? Where does Russia stand on this issue? 💬 Sergey Lavrov: We are not hiding our position and have been stating it regularly since the beginning of the US-Israeli aggression against Iran on February 28. The Foreign Ministry comments on and presents assessments of the ongoing events. The Presidential Executive Office and President Putin himself regularly address this topic in contacts with their counterparts. <...> We are also maintaining contacts with our friends from the Gulf countries. On Monday, March 30, a videoconference took place during which we discussed in detail for more than two hours the current situation, including how it is being discussed at the UN Security Council. One can discuss the draft resolution submitted by Bahrain, which has been under consideration by the UN Security Council for several days now. Many do exactly that. They take the text and begin discussing it. This is the professional approach practised by those who are ultimately responsible for the product issued by the UN Security Council. But even from this purely expert point of view, a large number of issues become apparent. <...> All this is taking place against the backdrop of rhetoric coming from Washington, including assertions by US President Trump that talks are underway and that the people the Americans are talking with are “much more reasonable” and that they listen and respond. The Iranians do not deny the fact of contacts, although they say these are not talks but an exchange of positions. Nevertheless, it is already some kind of process. The day before yesterday, President Trump said that as soon as they complete military operations (in his words, almost all objectives have been achieved), navigation in the Strait of Hormuz will immediately resume meaning that the problem is not about making demands of Iran. ❗️ It is imperative to stop military actions and the regime of the strait which is fully based on the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which defines all norms of navigation in times of peace, will be restored. It does not apply in wartime. Read in full

📆 On April 3, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt Badr Abdelatty, who was on a visit to Russia. The discussions between the two Foreign Ministers centred on pertinent issues related to the continued development of the historically amicable relations between Russia and Egypt. Both Sides reaffirmed their mutual commitment to expanding multifaceted bilateral collaboration in line with the Treaty on Comprehensive Partnership and Strategic Cooperation, signed in Sochi in 2018 by the Presidents of Russia and Egypt. The Ministers acknowledged the significant coordinating role of the Joint Russian-Egyptian Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation in enhancing collaboration, noting that its 15th meeting was held in Moscow in May 2025. They deliberated on certain practical aspects of realising large-scale joint investment projects, particularly the construction of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant in Egypt and the establishment of a Russian industrial zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Views were exchanged on urgent international and regional challenges. They concurred on intensifying partner-like coordination in foreign policy at the United Nations and in other international arenas. The Ministers observed the alignment of Russia’s and Egypt’s positions regarding the resolution of crises in the Middle East and on the African continent through political and diplomatic means, in accordance with international law standards. During discussions concerning the situation in the Persian Gulf region, the Russian Side underscored that the current unprecedented escalation was a consequence of unprovoked aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran. ❗️ Sergey Lavrov and Badr Abdelatty advocated an immediate cessation of hostilities and a de-escalation of tensions through negotiation. They affirmed their mutual readiness to offer every possible assistance in overcoming existing contradictions through dialogue, while taking into account the interests of all the states in the Middle East region. The Ministers confirmed that both countries’ fundamental approaches to resolving the Palestinian‑Israeli conflict are aligned, based on the universally recognised international legal framework which provides for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. They emphasised the importance of achieving sustainable peace in the Gaza Strip and ensuring unfettered humanitarian access to that Palestinian enclave. The crisis situations in Libya, Sudan, Yemen, and Lebanon were also examined. The necessity of resolving these crises through peaceful means, so as to preserve the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of these states, was noted. Sergey Lavrov provided Badr Abdelatty with a detailed briefing on Russia’s approaches to resolving the conflict around Ukraine. 🤝 Furthermore, they discussed practical matters concerning preparations for the third Russia-Africa Summit, scheduled to be held in Moscow later this year, as well as the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum at the level of heads of foreign policy agencies.

🇷🇺🇹🇷📞On April 3, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone conversation at the initiative of the Turkish Side. The Leaders held an in-depth exchange of views in light of the ongoing escalation of the military-political confrontation in the Gulf region. They noted that the intense hostilities are having serious negative consequences not only for the region, but also globally – including in the areas of energy, trade and logistics. President Putin and President Erdogan expressed a common view in favour of an early ceasefire and compromise-based peace arrangements that would respect the legitimate interests of all states in the region. While discussing the situation around Ukraine, Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his continued readiness to facilitate the relevant negotiation process. In view of the attempts by the Kiev regime to strike gas transport infrastructure linking Russia and Türkiye, as well as commercial vessels in the Black Sea, the Presidents stressed the importance of coordinated measures to ensure comprehensive security in the Black Sea area. 🤝 They also reviewed further steps to expand bilateral political and trade-economic ties, including through the implementation of joint strategic projects in the energy sector. #RussiaTürkiye

🇷🇺🇮🇩Embassy of Russia in Indonesia: 📄Article by Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov – “Are Economic Sanctions Beneficial to Their Initiators?” – published in Independent Observer (April 3, 2026) Key points: • One of the main factors hindering global economic growth is the impact of the illegal unilateral sanctions imposed by Western countries against Russia. • The sanctions have damaged international supply chains, unbalanced investment and trade flows, exacerbated the debt issue, and reduced access for many countries to goods, services, finance, and technology, thereby undermining the principles of a free market and a fair competition. • European countries face a particularly dire situation. According to various estimates, the EU’s total economic losses from 2022 to 2025range from €1 trillion to €1.6 trillion as a result of the anti-Russian sanctions backlash. • The decision to abandon Russian energy supplies has resulted in higher energy prices and, consequently, increased the EU energy import costs. According to Eurostat, the EU has overpaid by approximately €200 billion for natural gas since sanctions were imposed on Russia, while Russian experts put the figure at €750 billion. • Alongside high energy prices, the countries that initiated the sanctions confrontation have also been affected by Russia’s reciprocal restrictions in a number of areas that had previously been mutually beneficial. Following Russia’s retaliatory closure of its airspace to airlines from unfriendly countries, those carriers saw their competitiveness decline sharply due to much longer flight times on Asian routes. • These costs are merelythe visible part of the “price” of attempts at economic blackmail against Russia. The long-term consequences for those who initiated them – including a reduced share of the dollar and the euro in international transactions, as well as the emergence of new trade infrastructure such as international transport corridors and supply chains outside Western control – have yet to fully unfold. Read in full

🇷🇺🇧🇩Embassy of Russia in Bangladesh: 🎙 Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Khozin’s interview with Deshkal News(April 1, 2026) Key points: • Russia is pursuing equal partnership with the countries of the Global South, where coercive measures such as tariffs are inadmissible. We do not live in the times of colonialism, so no nation can dictate its conditions to others. • Unilateral sanctions imposed by the West are counterproductive and go against the international law. • Russia organises international events such as forums, arts and science competitions, exhibitions, and more. Participants are usually offered a rich cultural programme and the opportunity to visit some of the most iconic landmarks in Russian cities. • Russia does not seek to build narrow alliances designed to isolate one country or another. On the contrary, it promotes a broader initiative – the Greater Eurasian Partnership – which is not directed against any nation. • Responsibility for the consequences of the man-made crisis in the Middle East – including its unpredictable chain reaction and the spiralling escalation of violence –rests entirely with the US and Israel. Read in full

⚡️Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's statement on the damage caused to St Nicholas Cathedral in Tehran as a result of missile strikes(April 3, 2026) 💬 We are shocked by reports of the serious damage and significant material losses inflicted on St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Tehran on April 1 as a result of yet another barbaric air strike by the US-Israeli tandem. A unique historical and architectural landmark has been affected – an Orthodox church unlike any other, under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church and included on the national register of cultural heritage of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Since its construction in 1945, based on the design of the outstanding Russian architect Nikolai Markov, this religious centre has united our diaspora in Iran, providing a source of strength and a spiritual link to the historical Motherland. The entire Orthodox community of Tehran, regardless of citizenship, has contributed through labour or donations to its preservation. Particularly striking is the fact that the main strike hit the compound of the former US Embassy, located just metres from the cathedral, which was taken over by Iranian revolutionary youth back in 1979. This gives grounds to believe that the Americans have effectively admitted their own helplessness and have finally lost faith in their military machine’s ability to force its way triumphantly back into Tehran. ❗️We strongly condemn any harm inflicted on religious sites. We are convinced that this egregious violation of the rights of believers must receive a proper response from the international community.