Russian MFA 🇷🇺

🇷🇺🇨🇫Opening remarks by the President of Russia Vladimir Putin during talks with the President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadéra(March 5, 2026, Moscow) The Leaders discussed issues related to the further development of bilateral cooperation in the political, trade-economic and humanitarian spheres, as well as pressing international issues. 💬 Vladimir Putin: Mr President, you are always a welcome guest in Russia. Quite recently – just three months ago – we marked the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. Allow me once again, now personally, to congratulate you on the results of the presidential elections. We sincerely wish you every success. The fact that the citizens of your country voted for you and that you secured a convincing victory shows that the people of the Republic generally support the policy you are pursuing – both in strengthening the domestic political situation and security, as well as in addressing economic issues. As for the economy, we are planning what I believe is a very timely decision – the creation of an intergovernmental commission that will deal with trade-economic ties. In my view, we have good prospects here in energy, agriculture and infrastructure. There are also good prospects and a solid foundation in the humanitarian sphere. Many issues are being addressed in the current working format. First of all, I would like to draw your attention to – and thank you for – the efforts you are making to promote and develop the Russian language in your country. We know that a Russian language centre and a Russian-language education centre are operating successfully there. In this regard, I would like to express my gratitude and inform you that we have decided to increase the quota for students from theCAR. We very much hope that this work will continue, as will cooperation in other humanitarian areas. 🤝 There is also another important sphere – our cooperation with the Central African Republic in coordinating positions on the international stage. Our relevant ministries and agencies maintain regular contact in this regard. I am confident that this cooperation will continue. Read in full

🇷🇺 Statement by Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov on the agenda item 6 of the session of the IAEA Board of Governors «Nuclear Safety, Nuclear Security and Safeguards in Ukraine» 📍Vienna, March 5, 2026 💬 Let me begin by recalling that on 24 February the Press Bureau of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service issued an urgent statement regarding plans by France and the United Kingdom to transfer nuclear weapons or at least a «dirty bomb» to Ukraine. According to available information, London and Paris are actively working on the relevant arrangements, envisaging the covert transfer to Ukraine of European components, equipment and technologies. Efforts are focused on ensuring that the emergence of such weapons in Kiev appears to be the result of indigenous Ukrainian development. Incidentally, Vladimir Zelenskyy publicly stated that he would «gladly» receive nuclear weapons Particular concern stems from the fact that these plans fall on already «well-prepared ground». For quite some time there has been a clear trend in Western countries toward the erosion of non-proliferation commitments, which only adds to the alarming picture created by irresponsible statements made by a number of US allies in Europe and Asia regarding potential plans to acquire their own nuclear weapons. Let me cite just a few examples In June 2025, Jens Spahn, leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group holding the majority in the Bundestag, advocated the creation of an «independent nuclear umbrella» with Germany having access to its control. In February this year, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz supported the idea of establishing a joint European nuclear deterrence mechanism together with the United Kingdom and France. In November 2025, Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi raised the issue of revising the country’s three non-nuclear principles, and a month later her national security adviser openly spoke of the need for Tokyo to develop its own nuclear capability. In May 2025, former Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod - now Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Ukrenergo - published a commentary in the media justifying the imperative of creating «Nordic nuclear deterrence», envisaging the collective development and production of nuclear weapons by Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Finland and Sweden. In February this year, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that all «reasonable» democracies should have access to nuclear weapons. In the same month, the President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, also spoke about the desire to join the «nuclear club» ❗Such public reflections voiced at a high political level run counter to obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and should receive an appropriate response from the international community, including the Board of Governors. The time has come to acknowledge that the real threat to security today stems from the irresponsible actions of those who seek to act as mentors and claim an impeccable record in the field of non-proliferation. In this regard, we call upon the IAEA Secretariat to exercise maximum vigilance and to pay increased attention to the implementation of verification activities in the relevant countries Under the current circumstances, the initiative by Canada and the Netherlands to submit the draft resolution entitled «Consequences of instability of energy infrastructure critical for nuclear safety and nuclear security of nuclear power plants in Ukraine» appears not merely inappropriate but demonstrates the complete political blinkeredness of its co-authors, who are detached from reality 🔗Read in full

🎙Ambassador Oleg Stepanov's comment to the Russian media with regard to Foreign Affairs Minister Anand's recent statements on the Arctic (March 5, 2026) 🇷🇺Russia has consistently advocated preserving the Arctic as a region of peace and cooperation, free from confrontation. It is therefore regrettable that official Ottawa seeks to promote, within NATO, an agenda of militarising the northern latitudes. ❗️Such a course lacks any constructive substance and, above all, undermines Canada’s own security. The history of international relations has long demonstrated that any unilateral increase in military activity inevitably provokes reciprocal steps. Those in Ottawa should be fully mindful of this. ☝️We do not seek confrontation with NATO and have never regarded Canada as an adversary. Attempts by the Carney government to view us through the prism of confrontation are simply irrational. Russia is the largest Arctic power and a self-sufficient state in the region. We possess all the necessary resources and capabilities to defend our national interests in the North and stand ready to respond to any challenges, wherever they may arise.

🎙Remarks by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Ambassadorial Roundtable “The Ukrainian Crisis. Digital Threats and International Information Security”(March 5, 2026, Moscow) 💬 Sergey Lavrov: This is far from the first time we are meeting to discuss an issue that is central to us in international politics. President Vladimir Putin and other representatives of the Russian leadership have repeatedly stated this. The goal of the war waged against Russia – prepared and ultimately unleashed by the West through the Ukrainian regime – is to weaken our country and, as they themselves say, inflict a “strategic defeat” on it. There is every reason to believe that behind this goal also lies a desire to “break up” our country. At the same time, many other developments are unfolding around the world – including the events in the Middle East – a result of the aggression by the US and Israel against Iran. In this regard, I cannot but mention this crisis, which threatens colossal negative consequences for the entire world – for global stability, the global economy and everything that was once called globalization for the prosperity of all humanity. All of this has been destroyed. Civilians are suffering both in Iran and, as a result of Iran’s retaliatory actions, in neighboring Arab states. We express our condolences for all civilian casualties. We also see the damage being inflicted on civilian infrastructure across the countries of the Persian Gulf. #UkrainianCrisis We are conducting negotiations with our US colleagues, who are assisting in the dialogue with Ukraine. Quite recently, several trilateral rounds took place in Abu Dhabi – for which we are sincerely grateful to our Emirati friends – and in Geneva. ❗️At present, we see no grounds to believe that these talks are merely a “smokescreen”, as we remain in direct contact with our American counterparts. At the same time, we clearly see that during the seven months since Anchorage, Ukrainians and Europeans have made – and continue to make – every effort to reinterpret and rewrite the understandings reached there. We see how negotiators in the US are facing pressure and the temptation to yield to it – shifting the entire responsibility for further steps, as they say, onto Russia in order to meet certain symbolic dates in this year’s political calendar. This, too, is a fact. But our conscience is clear. We remain faithful to the understandings reached at the initiative of the US in Alaska. We are fully committed to the Alaska agreements. Our American colleagues know perfectly well what we are referring to, since these were their proposals. I hope that no one will divert our American colleagues from this true path, despite all the efforts of the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and other “masters” of the Kiev regime. #MiddleEast#Iran ▪️ We express our condolences for all civilian casualties and see the damage being inflicted on civilian infrastructure across the countries of the Persian Gulf. I have no doubt that one of the objectives was to drive a wedge between the countries of the region – between the Persian Gulf states, Iran and its Arab neighbors – among whom a positive process of normalization had been developing in recent years. This became particularly evident when Saudi Arabia and Iran restored diplomatic relations. Russia actively contributed to this process. For many years we have been promoting a unifying agenda. 👉For more than 20 years, we have been working to mobilize support for the Concept of Collective Security in the Persian Gulf. This initiative envisages participation by all coastal states and their key neighbors and – as originally proposed – the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, ensuring transparency, confidence-building measures and practical steps to use this immensely rich region in the interests of the prosperity of its peoples. The West has done everything to prevent the advancement of a positive agenda in the Gulf region. Read in full

⚡️ As a result of a complex negotiation process, 200 Russian servicemen were returned on March 5 from the territory controlled by the Kiev regime. Their release became possible thanks to the humanitarian mediation of the UAE and the US. All Russian servicemen who have returned home are receiving the necessary medical and psychological assistance. ❗️ An exchange under the “300 for 300” formula is scheduled for March 6. In total, 500 Russian servicemen are expected to return home on March 5-6.

⚡️Russia's Foreign Ministry statement on the situation in the Middle East(March 5, 2026) 💬 Moscow is deeply concerned that the situation in the Middle East continues to deteriorate. There are no signs that the US and Israel – which launched a military operation under a completely far-fetched pretext aimed at overthrowing the legitimate authorities in Iran – are prepared to show restraint and stop the bloodshed. On the contrary, belligerent statements continue to flow from their capitals, while the Israeli army has carried out a new incursion into Lebanon. Meanwhile,the aggressors are seeking to sow division within the Islamic world in the midst of the holy month of Ramadan. They deliberately provoked Iran into retaliatory strikes against facilities in several Arab countries, which resulted in human casualties and material damage – developments that the Russian side deeply regrets. In doing so, they are attempting to draw Arab states into a war serving someone else’s interests. At the same time, they are trying to divert attention from the catastrophic plight of the Palestinian people. Russia once again calls on all parties to the current confrontation to immediately cease hostilities, including unacceptable strikes on the territory of the Arab states of the Gulf. We consider attacks on civilians and strikes against any civilian infrastructure – whether in Iran or in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council – to be absolutely unacceptable. ❗️It is clear that the only way to prevent the region from sliding further into the abyss of destabilization is to stop the aggression of the US and Israel, which triggered this chain reaction of suffering for the Arab peoples.

🎙Russian President Vladimir Putin's answer to a media question following talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Peter Szijjarto(March 4, 2026, Moscow) ❓ Question: You mentioned the situation on the global gas markets. Many countries are panicking over the current events. Prices have soared, and it is unclear what will happen with prices and deliveries next. This makes one recall that Europe has repeatedly prohibited Russian gas imports. They are saying now that the deadline for the bans should be revised in light of the current global developments. 💬Vladimir Putin: First of all, Russia has always been – and remains – a reliable supplier of energy resources to all its partners, including those in Europe. We will continue to work in this manner with partners who themselves remain reliable counterparties, such as Slovakia and Hungary in Eastern Europe. We supply these countries with our energy resources, including oil and gas, and we intend to continue doing so provided that their authorities maintain this policy – in other words, if they remain reliable partners. ☝️The current developments in European energy markets are primarily the result of the flawed energy policy pursued by European authorities, the misuse of the green agenda, and the instrumentalisation of these tools for internal political purposes – to advance party or group interests. This policy has little to do with the real interests of their citizens. Oil and gas prices have increased now. With regard to oil, this is understandable and is partly linked to restrictions on imports of Russian oil. At the same time, the situation has been further aggravated by developments in the Middle East resulting from the aggression against Iran, which has produced a complicated and undoubtedly unpleasant outcome for consumers. As for natural gas, under the current conditions there was no immediate link between the surge in prices on the European market and any reduction in supplies. After all, the main suppliers have not cut their deliveries. Who are these main suppliers? Algeria, the US, Norway, and, to some extent, Russia. None of them reduced their shipments, yet this did not prevent prices from climbing to as high as $700. Why did this happen? It reflects the overall situation on global markets – including both oil and gas markets. In particular, it is driven by the fact that some buyers are prepared to pay a higher price for natural gas. In this case, the situation has also been influenced by developments in the Middle East, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and related factors. When such premium buyers appear on the market, it naturally means that certain suppliers who have long served the European market – for example the US companies – will redirect their supplies to those offering the highest price. This is entirely natural and has nothing to do with politics. Just business. 👉For this reason, I repeat: the situation largely stems from the misguided policies pursued by European governments. Moreover, they have been following this course for many years. Recently they announced plans to introduce new restrictions on Russian gas imports in April – meaning that the 24th will effectively be the last day before these measures come into force on the 25th. Further restrictions are planned for 2027, up to a complete ban. ☝️Meanwhile, other markets are opening up. One may ask whether it would make sense for us to stop supplying the European market earlier and redirect these volumes to emerging markets, thereby strengthening our positions there. I would like to emphazise that this is not a political matter. If we are likely to lose access to their market in a month or two anyway, it may make sense to cease supplies immediately and turn instead to countries that have been reliable partners for us, securing a stronger presence in their markets. However, this is not a final decision. I will certainly instruct the Government to work this matter through with our companies.

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🎙President of Russia Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Peter Szijjarto(March 4, 2026, Moscow) From the Russian Side, the meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov. 💬Vladimir Putin: You chair the intergovernmental commission on the Hungarian Side, and it is working actively. You visit Russia frequently. I am aware of your efforts to maintain the momentum in our relations, despite the well-known challenges, though we will not dwell on that now. Our trade turnover has unfortunately declined somewhat – last year, I believe, it fell by about 13%. Nevertheless, overall our relations remain stable and continue to develop in a positive direction. I refer in particular to cooperation in energy policy, including hydrocarbons, as well as our flagship project – the Paks Nuclear Power Plant. As for hydrocarbons, I understand that oil supplies are of particular concern to you. We see what is happening now on global gas markets and on the European gas market. We will be glad to discuss all these matters. Whatever depends on us – we have always fulfilled all our obligations – and, of course, we intend and are prepared to continue doing so. I repeat: we have always been reliable suppliers. You know this, and I have noted your public statements on this matter. Only yesterday I spoke with Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban on several issues. *** 💬Vladimir Putin: Mr Minister, during our telephone conversation yesterday, Prime Minister Viktor Orban also raised this issue and asked me to consider releasing Hungarian citizens held by the Russian army. These individuals hold dual citizenship – Ukrainian and Hungarian – and were forcibly mobilized. I have decided to release two individuals. As the Prime Minister requested, you will be able to take them with you – directly onto the plane on which you arrived and on which you will return to Budapest. #RussiaHungary

🎙Comment by Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on France’s decision to increase its nuclear arsenal(March 4, 2026) 💬 The statement made the other day by French President Emmanuel Macron regarding Paris’s intention to embark upon a non-transparent expansion of its nuclear arsenal, which in itself constitutes an extremely destabilising development, should be viewed in a broader context. <...> We note that the United Kingdom earlier announced an approach largely similar to the course now adopted by France, having some time ago also begun a significant expansion of its national nuclear arsenal while reducing its transparency. Moreover, in accordance with US-UK arrangements, London will, in addition to its existing sea-based component, acquire air delivery systems for nuclear weapons and gain access, with US consent, to US nuclear aerial bombs newly deployed in Britain which will further increase the number of warheads that the country could employ in a potential conflict. At the same time, NATO’s traditional policy in this sphere excludes disclosure of the quantitative parameters of US nuclear weapons deployed in Europe. Russia is compelled to take into account that, in addition to the United Kingdom, an undeclared number of such weapons is stationed in four other European NATO countries and Türkiye, from where they are capable of striking a broad range of critically important targets on the territory of the Russian Federation. <...> Beyond strengthening their national military nuclear capabilities, the United Kingdom and France are working with their allies to shape a certain independent or autonomous European nuclear deterrent capability. Initial, somewhat disingenuous attempts to present this as an alternative to the American nuclear umbrella quickly gave way to recognition of the obvious fact that this concerns the expansion of the European nuclear component within NATO, in addition to the existing practice of nuclear sharing missions based on US nuclear weapons. Thus, there is a substantial reinforcement and expansion of NATO’s overall nuclear potential, which, in the event of a direct military conflict with Russia, could be coordinated against our country not only in its European segment but in its entirety, including the US arsenal. <...> We also note that the decisions by London and Paris to expand their nuclear arsenals are intended to be implemented outside international constraints, continuing their long-standing policy of avoiding participation in any nuclear arms control arrangements. Read in full

🎙Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s answer to a media question regarding the attack on the Russian gas tanker Arctic Metagaz(March 4, 2026) ❓ Question: On March 3, a Russian vessel, the gas carrier Arctic Metagaz, was attacked in the Mediterranean Sea. What is the fate of its crew, and what measures is the Russian side taking in this situation? 💬Maria Zakharova: The Russian Foreign Ministry and its overseas missions, in coordination with the relevant authorities, have joined the operation to rescue the crew members of the Russian gas carrier Arctic Metagaz, which was attacked in the Mediterranean Sea. According to the information available to us, all 30 crew members have been rescued and are safe. Two individuals who sustained burns are receiving medical assistance in cooperation with the coastal state. Russian diplomatic missions in the region continue to monitor the situation and stand ready to provide the necessary support to Russian citizens. As stated by the Russian Ministry of Transport, the attack on the tanker was carried out by Ukrainian unmanned boats. Such actions – if confirmed – constitute an act of terrorism, a blatant violation of international law, and pose a direct threat to maritime security. Given that the vessel in question was a gas carrier transporting cargo, the consequences of this attack also entail colossal environmental damage. ❗️ We reserve the right to take political and diplomatic measures in response to this incident, including in light of the threat to international peace and security posed by such actions.

🎙Interview of the Ambassador of Russia to Canada, Oleg Stepanov, with "Solovev Live" (“Henry Show”) 🔹Iran Canada immediately supported the U.S. use of force against Iran, resorting in its statement to questionable justifications that circumvent international law and merely create the appearance of legitimacy for actions directed against Tehran. 🔹Canada–United States Around 80% of the Canadian economy is closely tied to the United States, while the country’s security is largely ensured through the use of its territory and infrastructure for the American military presence and power projection. This applies first and foremost to the northern and Arctic directions, but also in a broader global context. 🔹Russia–Canada Russia has never regarded Canada as an adversary or a source of threat. Bilateral relations between Russia and Canada, in the classical sense, do not exist. They have been in a deep freeze since 2014 and especially after February 24, 2022. Ottawa itself chose to dismantle them. 🔹Arctic Within the Arctic Council, Canada has been one of the leading voices advocating that Arctic issues be addressed in a “Group of Seven” format, without Russia. This is difficult to imagine in practice, given that roughly half of the Arctic falls within Russia’s zone of responsibility. 🔹Canada–United Kingdom There is close coordination between London and Ottawa on foreign policy matters. 🔹Canada–Ukraine Canada’s Russophobic course is shaped to a considerable extent under pressure from the influential Ukrainian Banderite diaspora in the country.