Russian MFA 🇷🇺

⚡️Russia’s EMERCOM: ✈️An Il-76 aircraft of Russia’s EMERCOM will deliver humanitarian aid for the Iranian people. On the instruction of Russia's President Vladimir Putin and by order of EMERCOM Head Alexander Kurenkov, the aircraft will transport over 13 tonnes of medicines to the Republic of Azerbaijan, where they will be delivered to authorized representatives of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. #RussiaHelps

🗓 On March 11, Moscow hostedthe first Ministerial Conference of the International Organisation for the Russian Language (#IORL), established under the relevant Agreement signed by the presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The conference was opened by Russia's Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov. ✉️ President of Russia Vladimir Putin sent a message of greetings to participants in the Ministerial Conference, whose attendants included heads of educational and foreign policy agencies of the member states. ✍️ The participants signed documents required for the IORL to start its operations and establish its Secretariat, and elected its Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General. Participants held an in-depth exchange of views on issues related to the organisation’s activities and promising focus areas.

⚡️Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's statement on the attack on the civilian commercial vessel Arctic Metagaz(March 11, 2026) 💬Maria Zakharova: On March 3 at 04:25 a.m. local time, the LNG carrier Arctic Metagaz, flying the Russian flag and crewed by 30 Russian sailors, carrying 100,000 cubic metres of liquefied natural gas, was attacked by maritime and aerial drones in neutral waters in the central MediterraneanSea, 168 nautical miles south-east of the coast of Malta. The vessel lost propulsion and electrical power, resulting in a fire and gas explosion on board. In this critical situation, the crew demonstrated exceptional courage and composure. All sailors managed to evacuate the burning vessel in a lifeboat. Thanks to the crew’s professional and coordinated actions, no casualties were reported. Ships in the area with Russian crews joined the search-and-rescue operation, one of which located the drifting lifeboat. Later that evening, at 20:30 local time, all crew members were rescued by a tanker that came to their aid and was to transport them to the nearest Russian port. At the same time, false reportsappeared in Western media claiming that the vessel had “caught fire on its own and sank as a result of the blaze”. During the fire aboard the Arctic Metagaz, two crew members sustained serious burns, making their urgent evacuation necessary. ❌ Malta’s maritime authorities refusedto assist in this evacuation. Assistance was provided by the maritime rescue service of Libya, which dispatched a high-speed boat that transported the injured to a coastal hospital in the port of Benghazi. With the active assistance of the Russian Embassy in Libya, the sailors received professional medical care and treatment for four days. After their condition stabilized and doctors confirmed they were fit for air travel, on March 10 the two injured crew members of the Arctic Metagaz were transported to Russia by a special flight and admitted to hospital. ❗️ The attack on a civilian commercial vessel in the Mediterranean Sea constitutes a gross violation of international law. It was a deliberate strike against a civilian target, potentially resulting in severe consequences, including loss of life and environmental damage. In other words, an act of terrorism and a war crime. It is notable that this attack occurred in close proximity to the shores of an EU member state, yet no European country has so far condemned it.

🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at the first Ministerial Conference of the International Organisation for the Russian Language (Moscow, March 11, 2026) 💬 Sergey Lavrov: We are holding the first Ministerial Conference of the International Organisation for the Russian Language (#IORL). Allow me to declare it open. <...> Indeed, the Russian language – rich, powerful and multifaceted – is our precious shared heritage, as the President of Russia has rightly noted. It is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, including in the digital domain, where it ranks second after English in terms of the number of websites and social media channels. Russian is an official or working language of a number of international organisations, including the United Nations. It plays a major constructive role in bringing together the peoples of the Eurasian space and in deepening creative, scientific and academic exchanges. Strengthening the positions of the Russian language in the world is, without exaggeration, a guarantee of preserving the planet’s cultural and civilisational diversity and an important contribution to the formation of a more just multipolar world order. In this context, I would like once again, on behalf of the Russian Federation, to express sincere appreciation to President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who in December 2021 put forward the initiative to establish an organisation dedicated to promoting the Russian language. The relevant treaty, signed in October 2023 by the leaders of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, entered into force at the end of 2024. This is undoubtedly a landmark event for our countries and, naturally, for all those who know, value and cherish the language of Alexander Pushkin and Leo Tolstoy, as well as the great Russian culture built upon it. We see the International Organisation for the Russian Language as an independent multilateral entity. Its core objectives include: enhancing international cooperation in support of the Russian language based on the principles of friendship, trust, good-neighbourliness and interethnic harmony, as well as fostering dialogue among scholars and writers around the world. 🤝 At the same time, the Organisation is open to all interested states, both in Eurasia and on other continents. I would stress that this was particularly emphasised when President Tokayev first proposed the initiative. In my view, it is important that the International Organisation for the Russian Language combine, in its work, the traditional and well-established instruments of multilateral cooperation with modern approaches capable of engaging the younger generation in our countries. Among the priorities on the agenda are promoting the Organisation’s international standing and helping to establish its external partnerships. A special role in these efforts will be played by the Secretariat of the International Organisation for the Russian Language. Today, we are to approve the leadership of the Secretariat. I trust that all of us will provide it with the full support it requires. <...> Nearly two and a half years have passed since the treaty was signed, and I would like to acknowledge the extensive work carried out during this period by experts from our countries, including those from the ministries of education, science, innovation, and foreign affairs. Today we are submitting for your consideration draft documents agreed upon by the experts, which will create the legal foundation for the Organisation’s practical work to begin as early as this April. <...> The Foreign Ministry will actively support the Secretariat’s work, while understanding that over time the primary role of the Russian Federation in this organisation will gradually transition to the Russian Ministry of Education and Science. Today we had a very fruitful session: we established the organisation’s structure and fulfilled our heads of state’s instructions. Read in full

🥞🧧Cross-cultural festivals took place in Russia and China: Moscow celebrated 中国新年 the Chinese New Year, while Beijing hosted Maslenitsa. The “Chinese New Year in Moscow” festival took place from February 16 to March 1, unitingmore than 60 venues across the city. On this occasion, Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, extended her greetings in Chinese on the main folk holiday of the Celestial Empire. The opening ceremony was held at Manezhnaya Square, featuring performances by artists from China, a drum show, folk dances and acrobatics. Residents of Moscow and visitors to the capital had the opportunity to attend performances by artists from various Chinese provinces, take part in interactive quests, create traditional tangu musical instruments, and make hongbao aka red envelopes for gifts and good wishes. 🍜 Guests were also treated to Chinese national delicacies, including Lanzhou noodles, Wenchang chicken with rice, traditional baozi buns and other dishes. At other festival venues, visitors could attend tea ceremonies, take part in a championship of Chinese board games and explore international exhibitions. *** The “Moscow Maslenitsa in Beijing” festival was held in the Chinese capital. During the festival, Chaoyang Park was transformed into a festive Moscow fair with wooden houses, themed art installations and photo zones. Residents and visitors of the Chinese capital were introduced to Russian traditions of welcoming spring, enjoyed musical and vocal performances, and tasted blini with a variety of fillings. Visitors could also take a virtual walk around Moscow and see its landmarks in VR. From February 19-22, the festival attracted more than 486,000 visitors. *** 🇷🇺🇨🇳#RussiaChina: The festivals became a vivid example of cultural exchange between Moscow and Beijing. As part of “Maslenitsa in Beijing”, the Sides also signed a Memorandum of cooperation in tourism, providing for joint projects, exchanges of experience and the promotion of the tourist potential of both capitals.

#Announcement 🗓The International Security Forum held under the auspices of the Security Council of the Russian Federation is scheduled to take place on May 26-29, 2026, at the ‘Live Arena’ multifunctional complex and the ‘Patriot’ Central Park. The Forum to feature the following events: • the XIV International Meeting of High-Ranking Officials Responsible for Security Matters • a variety of thematic sessions (scientific conferences, roundtables, briefings, presentations) • bilateral and multilateral meetings • exhibitions devoted to specific areas of activity of relevant Russian agencies and organizations 👉The Forum's Core Events (.doc file) More than 180 delegations from foreign states and international organizations have been invited to participate in the Forum. Secretaries of security councils, national security advisors to heads of state, directors of law enforcement agencies and special services, and general secretaries of international organizations are expected to attend. Ambassadors of foreign states, representatives of the academia, and security experts will also participate in the event. 👉Russian government agencies and ministries, organizations and companies featured at the Forum Total number of participants is expected to be as high as 5,000 people. Forum's working languages: Russian, Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, French, Serbian, and Spanish (simultaneous interpretation will be provided). 👉Accreditation & registration for the Forum's participants (starts on March 17) 👉Accreditation for media representatives

🇷🇺🇴🇲 On March 11, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi. The ministers conducted a substantive exchange of views on the situation surrounding Iran with an emphasis on finding ways to bring about the swiftest possible end to the military confrontation caused by the United States and Israel’s unprovoked aggression. They reiterated their position in favour of preventing escalation and immediately returning to a political and diplomatic settlement. The parties specifically emphasised the unacceptability of involving third countries, first and foremost the Gulf States, in the conflict which is fraught with the risk of wider military operations. Sergey Lavrov highlighted Russia’s willingness to assist in identifying compromise-based peaceful solutions founded on respect for the principle of sovereignty and equality of all states, as well as other foundational norms of international law. #RussiaOman

🇷🇺🇮🇳📞On March 11, Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov and Minister of External Affairs of India Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar had a telephone conversation. The Foreign Ministers exchanged views on the situation around Iran, speaking in favour of its swift normalization. Support was expressed for the contribution of#SCO and #BRICS to efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions and creating conditions for achieving a sustainable settlement based on a balance of the legitimate interests of all parties. They also discussed certain aspects of the bilateral agenda, including the schedule of upcoming political contacts. #RussiaIndia

⚡️Russia's Foreign Ministry statement on the missile strike of the Ukrainian militants on Bryansk On March 10, the neo-Nazi Kiev regime committed yet another heinous crime against the civilian population of Russia, carrying out a missile strike on Bryansk. We strongly condemn this deliberately planned terrorist attack. A busy business district in the city’s Sovetsky District came under targeted fire. The area is located near Bryansk State Engineering and Technology University, apartment buildings, commercial and industrial enterprises, catering establishments and children’s goods stores. ▪️As a result of the attack, seven people were killed and 42 injured. One child, born in 2009, has been hospitalized in the regional children’s hospital. The authorities are providing all necessary medical and other assistance and support. We extend our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured. According to available information, the strike was carried out using approximately seven British long-range Storm Shadow missiles. The head of the Kiev regime, Zelensky, has already publicly reported to his handlers about this barbaric act, calling it a “successful operation” by the AFU and cynically thanking the command for its execution. As we have repeatedly pointed out, the use of high-tech Western weapons is impossible without the direct involvement of foreign specialists who ensure their operation and targeting, as well as without the provision of the necessary intelligence data by certain NATO countries. ❗️ Western handlers of Kiev bear full responsibility for the consequences of this strike, which resulted in civilian casualties. It is obvious that, having completely lost itself in geopolitical games and seeking to assert itself as the informal leader of the European “hardliners” on the Ukrainian track and an irreconcilable opponent of Russia, Britain has stepped beyond the bounds of international law and is ready, through the hands of its puppets, to move the conflict to a fundamentally new level in terms of destruction and human casualties. We also note that the use of British weapons systems is taking place amid intensified political and diplomatic efforts in the Russia-US-Ukraine trilateral format aimed at resolving the Ukrainian crisis. The goal of London and other Western capitals is obvious – to derail the peace process through a large-scale provocation involving civilian casualties and trigger an escalation of hostilities. This tactic is not new and is used by the sponsors of the Kiev regime every time a real prospect for settlement emerges. It is no coincidence that the timing of this attack coincides with signals from Washington, expressing hope that negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement have reached a “turning point” and that achieving peace is quite realistic. ☝️We call on relevant international organisations – first and foremost the UN, whose leadership has been informed of the situation but has so far refrained from commenting – to provide an adequate assessment of yet another criminal act of the Kiev regime and its violation of the norms of international humanitarian law. Silence will be perceived as nothing less than tacit complicity in the criminal actions of Zelensky and his handlers, who are intent on escalating the conflict.

🇷🇺🇪🇬📞On March 11, Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty spoke over the phone. The Ministers expressed deep concern over the dangerous situation unfolding in the Middle East, which has sharply deteriorated as a result of the unprovoked aggression by the US and Israel against Iran. They called for the swiftest possible end to the conflict, which is causing civilian casualties and damaging civilian infrastructure. The Russian and Egyptian Foreign Ministers stressed the need to promptly resume political and diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving lasting stability and security in the region. 🤝 It was agreed to continue contacts and foreign policy coordination at the UN and other international platforms. The Ministers also touched upon issues related to the further development of Russia-Egypt cooperation, including the schedule of upcoming bilateral events. #RussiaEgypt

🇷🇺🇦🇪📞On March 11, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of the United Arab Emirates Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had a telephone conversation. Vladimir Putin warmly congratulated Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his 65th birthday, wishing him sound health, prosperity and further success. He also noted his significant personal contribution to strengthening the strategic partnership between Russia and the UAE. Both Sides noted with satisfaction that the friendly Russian-Emirati relations are developing dynamically across all areas. The Leaders continued their exchange of views on the dangerously deteriorating situation in the Middle East, which is having serious consequences for Iran as well as for Arab countries. The President of Russia stressed the need to prevent further escalation of the conflict and to resolve it through negotiations. Vladimir Putin also expressed special gratitude to the President of the UAE for the assistance and support provided to the Russian citizens who are currently in the Emirates. #RussiaUAE

🇷🇺🇦🇿📞On March 11, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev had a telephone conversation. Vladimir Putin thanked Ilham Aliyev for the efficient assistance in organizing the evacuation of Russian nationals from Iran and in ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Iranian people from Russia via Azerbaijani territory. In an exchange of views on the current situation in the Middle East, the Leaders spoke in favour of an early cessation of hostilities and resolving the acute conflict through political and diplomatic means. They also touched upon a number of topical issues on the bilateral agenda. Both Sides reaffirmed their commitment to further developing Russian-Azerbaijani cooperation across various fields on the principles of strategic partnership and alliance. #RussiaAzerbaijan