Russian MFA 🇷🇺

Special Envoy of the President of Russia Mikhail Shvydkoy attended the funeral of Ilia II. Special Presidential Envoy for International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy attended the funeral of Catholicos Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia to convey the Russian leader's heartfelt condolences to the Georgian clergy and people.

☝️ We have noted how readily British media outlets provide a platform for, and even promote, the report of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine concerning the "abduction of children". The figures cited for the number of "abducted" children in this sordid tale have fluctuated dramatically: first one and a half million, then two hundred thousand, then thirty-five thousand, and now 1,200. The logic behind the propaganda arithmetic of Kiev and its Western patrons is straightforward: had evidence on the claimed scale existed, it would have been produced long ago. Meanwhile, during the negotiations in Istanbul, the Ukrainian side was only able to provide Russia with a list of 339 names. Even with regard to this list, verification revealed that a significant proportion of these children had never been in Russia at all. Many were found in Germany and other Western countries. As for the children brought to Russia, we have repeatedly stated that they were evacuated from areas of active hostilities, where Ukrainian troops deliberately used civilians as cover and as hostages. In effect, it was a rescue mission for minors. The International Public Tribunal on the Crimes of Ukrainian Neo-Nazis has documented and verified the manner in which children were treated by militants of the Ukrainian armed forces and the Azov battalion. The testimonies are open to the general public. It would be justified if British media outlets showed at least a fraction of the interest in this evidence that they display when reproducing politically motivated conclusions. It is also hard not to notice that the question of children's fates appears to concern London selectively: the Epstein–Mandelson archives, including the "children’s issue", have been awaiting their moment for quite some time. It comes as no surprise that stories featuring fabricated information about Russia are being circulated once again as a distraction.

🎙Excerpt from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview for Looking Back television programme hosted by Leonid Mlechin(Moscow, March 21, 2026) Key points: • Diplomacy is about national interests, mutual respect, understanding, and willingness, as well as the ability to appreciate the legitimate positions of your dialogue partner or vis-à-vis and, by all means, pragmatism. • Every negotiation is unlike the other and largely - if not decisively - depends on personalities of the people at the negotiating table, their education level and whether they possess the qualities we particularly value in the Russian diplomatic service. • For talks to be productive, it is, without a doubt, important to be versant in the subject matter, especially when discussing deep-rooted issues that go back decades or even centuries. In the Middle East, saying “Here’s the deal, take it before it’s too late” will never work. • History unfolds in a spiral. Another well-known observation is that history tends to repeat itself as a farce. <...> Overall, we are witnessing a stage in history which may be a spiral, but it is taking us back to a world where nothing existed - no international law, no Versailles system, no Yalta system - nothing. A world where might makes right. Yet, as you know from a famous line by a well-known film character, “God is not in strength, but in truth.” • Look at what is happening. The United States has officially stated that it is not taking orders from anyone and is concerned only with its own wellbeing. It is prepared to defend that wellbeing by whatever it takes – coups, abductions, or even the killings of leaders of the countries that possess natural resources that are of interest to the United States. Our US colleagues do not hide the fact that oil is what they are after in Venezuela and Iran. • They have ruthlessly cut Europe off. Even back when the Nord Stream pipelines were being built, the Americans urged Europe not to use them. Now, Europe has been denied access to Nord Stream. Germany has been humiliated - everyone is aware of that. What’s the upshot? • Now the Hungarians and Slovaks are fighting with all they have to uphold their interests in maintaining inexpensive and accessible energy as a driver of their economies, but are told to buy at double the price, because Russia must be “punished.” This is not the proper way to approach international relations. It’s an attempt to go back to the colonial era. • Our US colleagues are telling us: let’s settle the situation in Ukraine – we were ready to do so back during the summit in Alaska, but they are not so sure about it now – suggesting that we make more concessions, and vast economic opportunities will open up to us after that. At the same time, what I have just described is effectively taking place. We are being forced out of all global energy markets. <...> However, if we are prepared to carry out mutually beneficial projects on our territory and provide Americans with whatever may interest them, while taking our own interests into account, they, too, must take our interests into consideration. • Europe, which ruled the world for 500 years during the eras of colonialism and slavery, is now trying to entrench neo-colonialism. It still wants to live at the expense of others and dictate terms to everyone. The hubris and contempt for others are – pardon me the expression – simply oozing from today’s European politicians when they start lecturing others. • Since the time of the Russian Empire, we knew that Russia had only two allies: its army and its navy. Now we also have the aerospace forces which we cannot ignore, and new unmanned aerial units, which fact means we have even more allies now. • The President of Russia has repeatedly made it clear that the weak get beaten. That sums it all up. We must be strong. Russia is a very strong country. It is strong in spirit, immensely rich in natural resources, and boasts great scientific potential. The key is to translate all of that into technologies at the highest level. Read in full

🇷🇺🇧🇾 Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko (21 March 2026) The Leaders discussed further development of the bilateral cooperation in various sectors as well as current international matters.

🇳🇦 On March 21, #Namibia marks the 36th anniversary of its independence, achieved after decades of colonial rule and a prolonged liberation struggle. European colonisation of what is now Namibia began in the mid-XIXth century. In 1878, the British took control of the area around Walvis Bay. In the 1890s, the rest of the country became a German protectorate known as German South West Africa, which lasted for about 30 years. In 1904-1907, an uprising of the indigenous population against German colonial rule broke out. It was suppressed with extreme brutality by Berlin and the local administration, with little regard for human life: Europeans killed approximately 65'000 of the Herero population (up to 80%) and 10'000 of the Nama people (50%). In 1960, Namibian patriotic forces set up the South West African People's Organisation that launched the struggle for the country’s independence, recognised as legitimate by the UN. In 1967, the UN Council for South-West Africa was established. The Soviet Union was among the first to support the Namibian people in their struggle for independence and self-determination, which was achieved in 1990. Symbolically, diplomatic relations between our countries were also established on March 21, 1990. 🇷🇺🇳🇦 Moscow and Windhoek maintain a regular trust-based political dialogue at the highest and high levels. Over the past two years, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has held four bilateral meetings with Namibian counterparts, including recent talks in Moscow with the Minister of International Relations and Trade of the Republic of Namibia Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, who visited Russia on a working trip in January 2026. 💬 Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov: The friendly ties between Moscow and Windhoek are developing steadily and rest on the principles traditional for our relations – equality, solidarity, mutual respect and support. We highly value the fact that our Namibian friends remember well the assistance provided by the Soviet Union during the struggle against colonialism and in laying the foundations of statehood. (from Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questionsat a joint press conference with Minister of International Relations and Trade of the Republic of Namibia Selma Ashipala-Musavyi following talks in Moscow on January 14, 2026) Russia and Namibia share or have similar positions on most issues of the global and regional agenda. Extensive experience has been accumulated in bilateral cooperation across trade, economic, scientific and educational, humanitarian and other areas. 🎓Many thousands of Namibians have received education in the Russian Federation or the Soviet Union. Russia also supports Namibia at international platforms, including through humanitarian assistance provided via the UN World Food Programme. 🤝 We extend our best wishes to our Namibian friends and colleagues on the occasion of their national holiday and the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. We reaffirm the unwavering commitment to consistently expanding bilateral ties. #RussiaNamibia

✍️Interview with Ambassador of Russia to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov for the YouTube Channel Bennix on the prospects of Russia-Indonesia relations (March 18, 2026) Key points: • Since last year, a Strategic Partnership between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Indonesia has been established, following its approval by our two presidents last June in St. Petersburg. This signifies that our countries enjoy comprehensive relations and cooperation across a wide range of fields. • Russia has well-established nuclear technologies that we are ready to deploy here in Indonesia to help ensure your energy independence and self-sufficiency. • I do believe that Indonesia will have a significant role in the new world order. In fact, this new order is already taking shape. Even the current situation in the Middle East shows that some countries which previously saw themselves as global hegemons are reluctant to accept change. They are trying to preserve a system where they can not only lecture others on how to live, but also impose their will through military force, aggression, and attempts to reshape political systems according to their own vision. • Multilateralism is becoming an increasingly important trend in global affairs. Many countries, including Indonesia, are acting independently, promoting their national interests and pursuing foreign policies that serve those interests. This means there should no longer be a situation where one country dominates and others follow. • If the Global South speaks with a unified voice against such practices, I believe that Western countries will take note. Even now, it is becoming clear that the United States does not have sufficient power to claim the role of a global leader and impose its strategies across the world. Watch in full

🎙 Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s comment on attacks against uranium enrichment facilities in Iran(21 March 2026) 💬 The US-Israeli tandem continues to carry out massive strikes against Iranian military and civilian targets, including - most alarmingly - nuclear facilities, without regard for civilian casualties or potential radiological or environmental consequences. Notwithstanding the well-known allegations about obliteration of the Iranian nuclear programme by US air raids last June, the Natanz Nuclear Facility, which is under IAEA safeguards, was subjected to an air attack in the morning of March 21. ❗️This constitutes a high-handed breach of international law, UN and IAEA charters, special resolutions of the UN General Assembly and the #IAEA General Conference. The international community, including the UN and the IAEA, must give an unbiased and uncompromising assessment of these irresponsible actions that create risks of a catastrophe for the entire Middle East and are explicitly aimed at further undermining peace, stability, and security in the region.

✉️ The President of Russia Vladimir Putinsent his greetings on the occasion of the spring holiday of Nowruz to: 🇦🇿 President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, 🇰🇿 President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, 🇰🇬 President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, 🇹🇯 President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, 🇹🇲 President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, 🇹🇲 Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, 🇺🇿 President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The congratulatory messages noted the high level of bilateral relations with these CIS countries and expressed confidence that mutually beneficial, multifaceted ties would continue to develop successfully. 🇮🇷 Nowruz greetings were also sent to the Iranian leaders: Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Vladimir Putin wished the Iranian people strength on overcoming these severe trials and emphasised that during this difficult time, Moscow remained a loyal friend and reliable partner of Tehran.

🗓 On March 20, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a traditionalmeeting with the ambassadors of #ASEAN member states accredited in Moscow. In the context of the 35th anniversary of Russia-ASEAN relations that this year marks, the sides engaged in a substantive discussion on advancing #RussiaASEANstrategic partnership across a wide range of areas, including countering common challenges and threats, trade and investment, high-tech and knowledge-intensive industries, digitalisation, energy, and the expansion of business and youth contacts. The main focus was on putting together anniversary events and agreeing upon a new medium-term policy document. A thorough exchange of views on international and regional priorities reinforced the importance of Russia-ASEAN dialogue for building stable security and cooperation architecture in the Asia-Pacific region based on respect for international law, equality, and openness. Prospects for aligning integration processes in Eurasia, strengthening ASEAN-EAEU and ASEAN-SCO cooperation, as well as establishing contacts on the ASEAN-BRICS track, were highlighted. 🤝 The meeting was held in a traditionally friendly atmosphere.

🎙Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on India’s National Investigation Agency detaining Ukrainian and US citizens on charges of being implicated in terrorist activities (March 20, 2026) 💬 The Indian media report that six Ukrainian citizens and one US citizen were detained and taken into custody at international airports in New Delhi, Lucknow, and Kolkata by India’s National Investigation Agency on March 13. Allegedly, these individuals have illegally crossed the border from the Indian state of Mizoram into Myanmar and establishedcontactswith the local armed ethnic groups with the aim of supplying them with EU-manufactured drones, and training them in drone assembly and repair, and in conducting electronic warfare. The publications quoted the NIA as saying that these armed groups maintain ties with insurgents in northeastern India. The reaction of the Ukrainian embassy in New Delhi was quite revealing as it sought to conceal the incident and to keep its citizens’ questionable activities, which were clearly designed to destabilise the situation in the region, under wraps. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry chose to remain silent on its citizens’ violation of India’s counter-terrorism legislation and wasted no time baselessly accusing “certain Indian and Russian news agencies” of deliberately falsifying the facts. The incident clearly shows that Zelensky’s neo-Nazi regime has a core exporter of instability worldwide. Russia has repeatedly issued warnings about the risks associated with the large-scale militarisation of Ukraine by NATO and the EU. Weapons supplied to it are inadequately accounted for and may surface anywhere. Today, Kiev is a major supplier of weaponry and military technologies to the global black market, including military product supplies to Latin American drug cartels and training terrorists in Africa. As we can see, the Western-created Ukrainian tentacled network is reaching as far as regional conflicts in the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Just days ago, Zelensky brazenly boasted that several hundred Ukrainian fighters had been “deployed” to the Persian Gulf area to take part in the ongoing conflict as “instructors” and specialised “experts” in using unmanned aerial vehicles. Sure enough, enforcing international oversight over Ukraine’s military technology exports is out of the question. All of that is the result of lax policies pursued by Western sponsors of Zelensky’s regime. ❗️ Today’s Ukraine is undermining regional and global security and stability and is an extremely destructive factor in international politics. Once again, we urge the World Majority to take a good look at destabilising activities of the agonising Kiev regime which Western countries use as leverage against Russia and other countries around the world.

🇷🇺🇰🇿📞 On March 20, Presidents Vladimir Putin and Kassym-Jomart Tokayevhad a telephone conversation. During the telephone conversation, Vladimir Putin warmly congratulated President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the successful referendum on the Republic’s new Constitution. The voting results have shown people’s trust in the policy of dynamic socioeconomic development pursued by the President of Kazakhstan. Both Presidents reaffirmed their readiness to further boost Russian-Kazakhstani relations of comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance. The discussion also touched on the schedule of forthcoming contacts, including in light of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship of the Eurasian Economic Union. The President of Russia also sent a congratulatory message to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. #RussiaKazakhstan

🎙Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment regarding the missile strike on the port of Bandar-e Anzali(March 20, 2026) 💬 We are observing with growing concern the expanding geography of the missile and bomb strikes by Israel and the US in Iran. The US-Israeli coalition continues to fan the flames of war in the Middle Eastthat it has itself ignited, driving further escalation. On March 18, a bomb attack was carried out against the Iranian port of Bandar Anzali on the Caspian Sea. That major Caspian port is an important trade and logistics hub that is actively used in Russian-Iranian trade, including for food deliveries. ❗️The strike has affected the economic interests of Russia and the other Caspian states that maintain transport communications with Iran via that port. The regional countries and the international community have always regarded the Caspian Sea as a safe zone of peace and cooperation. The aggressors’ reckless and irresponsible actions pose a threat of dragging Caspian states into an armed conflict. ☝️ We once again firmly call for the immediate cessation of hostilities and resuming efforts to achieve a political settlement of the situation in the Middle East, which is increasingly affecting neighbouring regions.