Russian MFA 🇷🇺

✉️ President of Russia Vladimir Putin expressed deepest condolences to President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian over the assassination of Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei and members of his family. The message reads, in part: ✍️ Please, accept my deepest condolences on the assassination of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Seyyed Ali Khamenei and members of his family, committed in cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law. In our country, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei will be remembered as an outstanding statesman who made an enormous personal contribution to the development of friendly ties between Russia and Iran and to raising them to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership. Please, convey my most sincere sympathy and support to the family and friends of the Supreme Leader, as well as to the leadership and to the entire people of Iran. Vladimir Putin

🎙Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s answer to a question from the Moscow. Kremlin. Putin programme(Moscow, March 1, 2026) ❓ Question: Is Europeans’ self-preservation instinct completely failing with regard to this nuclear escalation? 💬 Sergey Lavrov: It seems to me, the situation that our Western neighbours are trying to drive the Ukrainian crisis into has already been assessed publicly at all levels, by both officials and political analysts, multiple times. I don’t know aboutinstincts. This crowd mainly has the ‘Epstein’ sort of instincts, I believe. As for any concern for their countries and peoples – those instincts have, clearly, worn thin in the past years.

🎙Statement by Permanent Representativeof the Russian Federation to the UN Vassily Nebenzia at UNSC Briefing in connection with US and Israeli Strikes against Iran(New York, February 28, 2026) 💬Vassily Nebenzia: In recent hours, we have witnessed another extremely dangerous surge in escalation in the Middle East. In the early hours of February 28, the United States and Israel began launching massive military strikes on the territory of Iran. It was publicly declared that one of the targets of the attack was the country's senior political leadership, as well as civilian nuclear facilities. In real time we are getting reports from the Iranian authorities about casualties, including among civilians: more than 200 people have died in 24 provinces of the country. We express our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured. Our country is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of Russian citizens who are currently in the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI). <...> US President Donald Trump has announced today that this operation is aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. But such claims are ungrounded. <...> Iran has repeatedly stressed its readiness to place the preservation of its status as a non-nuclear-weapon state at the heart of new agreements with the US, provided that Iran's legitimate right as a state party to the NPT to develop peaceful nuclear technologies is respected and upheld. Against this backdrop, we deem completely unfounded all the attempts by Western countries to justify this US-Israeli aggression by citing alleged threats to international peace and security supposedly emanating from Iran's nuclear program. 👉 The only credible sources of information on this matter are the relevant reports of the IAEA Director General. And these reports have never indicated that Iran could be developing nuclear weapons. <...> We expect that the IAEA Director General, Rafael Grossi, will give unambiguous assessments and will condemn this yet another act by the USA and Israel to undermine the authority of the NPT and the global non-proliferation regime as a whole. <...> ❗️ We demand that the United States and Israel immediately cease their aggressive actions. There are no and will never be any alternatives to a peaceful and diplomatic resolution of the Iranian issue, including its nuclear component. We insist on the immediate resumption of political and diplomatic settlement efforts in pursuit for solutions based on international law, mutual respect, and balance of interests. Russia stands ready to provide all necessary support for such efforts. Read in full

🇷🇺🇧🇳 On March 3, Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrovwill hold talks in Moscow with Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Brunei Darussalam Erywan Yusof. The Ministers are expected to review the current state and prospects for the development of #RussiaBrunei relations, including the schedule of upcoming political contacts and the further strengthening of cooperation across practical areas. They will also exchange views on pressing global and regional issues, as well as on enhancing interaction within the #RussiaASEAN Dialogue Partnership framework.

🔴#LIVE: The UN Security Council holds a meeting concerning an unprovoked act of armed aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran 🔗https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k17/k17mx2gk4i

🇷🇺🇮🇷📞 On February 28, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Abbas Araghchi. The Iranian Minister briefed Sergey Lavrov on IRI leadership’s steps to repel the aggression by the United States and Israel, which had once again derailed talks on peaceful settlement of the issues concerning Iran’s nuclear programme. He informed Sergey Lavrov about the plans to convene an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council. Sergey Lavrov condemned the absolutely unprovoked armed attack by the United States and Israel on Iran in violation of principles and standards of international law while totally ignoring hard repercussions for the regional and global stability and security. He pointed out the need to promptly stop the attacks against the Islamic Republic and to bring back the developments toward political and diplomatic settlement. Sergey Lavrov stressed Russia’s readiness to assist in seeking peaceful solution based on international law, mutual respect, and balance of interests. The Iranian Side expressed sincere gratitude to the Russian Federation for invariable and solid support. #RussiaIran

⚡Russian Foreign Ministry's Statement regarding military aggression of the United States and Israel against Iran On the morning of February 28, US and Israeli armed forces carried out airstrikes on the territory of Iran. The scope and character of the military, political, and propaganda preparations that preceded this reckless step, including the deployment of substantial US military forces to the region, leave no doubt that this is a deliberate, premeditated, and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state, in direct violation of the fundamental principles and norms of international law. It is particularly reprehensible that these strikes are once again being conducted under the cover of the renewed negotiation process, ostensibly intended to secure long-term normalisation of the situation around the Islamic Republic of Iran. This comes despite assurances conveyed to the Russian Side indicating that Israel had no interest in entering into military confrontation with Iran. The international community, including the leadership of the UN and the IAEA, must urgently deliver an objective and unbiased assessment of these irresponsible actions, which are aimed at undermining peace, stability, and security in the Middle East. Washington and Tel Aviv have once again embarked on a perilous course that is swiftly pushing the region toward a humanitarian, economic, and potentially even radiological disaster. The aggressors’ intentions are evident and have been stated openly: to dismantle the constitutional order and remove the leadership of a state they deem undesirable because it has refused to yield to the dictates of force and hegemonic pressure. Responsibility for the impact of this man-made crisis, including the unpredictable chain reaction and the spiral of escalating violence, rests entirely with them. The grave repercussions of these ill-conceived actions for the global non-proliferation regime, whose cornerstone is the NPT, are being openly disregarded. Meanwhile, the US-Israeli tandem seeks to cover its actions with a purported concern over preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The bombing of nuclear facilities operating under IAEA safeguards is unacceptable. Essentially, the motives of Washington and Tel Aviv bear no relation to the objectives of the non-proliferation regime. Even they cannot but understand that by plunging the Middle East into the abyss of uncontrolled escalation, they are effectively prompting countries across the globe – and the Middle East in particular – to pursue ever more grave means of countering emerging threats. The sustained and systematic nature of the destabilising attacks, carried out by the US administration against the fundamental principles of the international legal order in recent months, raises particular concern. Among the violated principles are non-interference in internal affairs, the renunciation of the use or threat of use of force, and the peaceful settlement of international disputes. ❗️We call for an immediate return to a political and diplomatic track. Russia, as always, stands ready to assist in advancing peaceful solutions grounded in international law, mutual respect, and a balanced consideration of interests.

⚡️Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's statement regarding the Afghan-Pakistani armed clashes(February 27, 2026) We are concerned over the sharp escalation of armed clashes between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, involving regular army units, aircraft and heavy weaponry. There are fatalities and injuries on both sides, including among civilians. We call on Afghanistan and Pakistan, our friendly partners, to abandon this dangerous confrontation and return to the negotiating table to resolve all differences through political and diplomatic means.

🎙Statement of the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations Office and Other International Organizations in Geneva Ambassador Gennady Gatilov at the High-Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament in the exercise of the right of reply (Geneva, February 25, 2026) Read in full Key points: • I would like to draw the delegations' attention to new developments, namely to the report of the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation (SVR of Russia) dated February 24, which is directly relevant to the issue of ensuring international security. • Ukraine, which joined the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as a non-nuclear-weapon state, pledged not to acquire nuclear weapons, while Great Britain and France, as nuclear-weapon States under the Treaty, pledged not to transfer nuclear weapons to anyone, nor to assist, encourage, or induce any non-nuclear-weapon state to manufacture or acquire them. • We have repeatedly stated that any attempts to revise Ukraine's non-nuclear status, as well as the possible acquisition of nuclear weapons by the Kiev regime — which is deeply hostile to Russia — are unacceptable. • The deliberate shelling of the Zaporozhskaya NPP (ZNPP) by Kiev – which has come under Russian jurisdiction in full accordance with our legislation – is fraught with a nuclear catastrophe that could also affect those countries providing military-political and financial support to the Kiev regime. • Ukrainian crisis did not arise in a vacuum, and many opportunities to prevent it and even settle it at early stages were missed. A peaceful solution to this conflict is possible only if its root causes are eliminated. More countries are starting to understand this, as well as the fact that Kiev must return to its neutral, non-aligned status, remain a non-nuclear State, restore compliance with linguistic and religious human rights and freedoms, stop the persecution of citizens on ethnic grounds, and abandon neo-Nazi ideology. ❗️ It must recognize the incorporation of new regions into Russia and withdraw its armed formations from these territories. • Neither Russia nor the DPRK violates any international legal obligations in exercising their inherent right to develop bilateral ties, including under the 2024 Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. We regard attempts to challenge this fact as interference in the internal affairs of our countries.

🎙Statement by President of Russia Vladimir Putin at the Meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State (February 27, 2026, Moscow) Read in full The event was held in the Grand Kremlin Palace, attended by President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Belarus, Chairman of the Supreme State Council Alexander Lukashenko. Following the Meeting, the parties signed a package of seven documents, including the Decree on the 2026 Priorities of the Meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State. *** 💬Vladimir Putin: At today’s meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State, we are to discuss and approve truly important decisions aimed at the further comprehensive development and strengthening of cooperation between Russia and Belarus in the political, economic, social and humanitarian spheres. This meeting is taking place in a jubilee year for the Union State. In April, we will mark the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty establishing the Union of Russia and Belarus – signed on 2 April 1996 – which launched our joint integration efforts. Over the decades, through coordinated work, we have accomplished much. A common socio-economic, defence, migration, information, scientific-educational and cultural-humanitarian space has been formed. Favourable conditions have been created throughout the Union State for pursuing a unified macroeconomic policy. Major joint projects are being implemented in industry, transport, agriculture, high-tech and science-intensive sectors. Import substitution programmes are progressing successfully – including in such key areas as machine and tool building, microelectronics and optics. 📈 As a result,bilateral trade and investment continue to grow year after year. In 2025, trade turnover increased again – this time by almost 3%. While statistical methodologies may differ slightly, the overall figure is substantial – $52 billion. Russia remains the leading investor in the Belarusian economy, with accumulated investments exceeding $4.5 billion. Around 2,500 Russian companies operate in Belarus. Cultural, academic, sports and youth exchanges remain an integral part of the Union State’s broad agenda. More than 16,000 Belarusian students are currently enrolled in Russian educational institutions. Next year, an additional 1,300 Belarusian applicants will be able to enter Russian universities on state-funded places alone. 🇷🇺🇧🇾Russia and Belarus closely cooperate as allies in foreign policy and defence. Our positions on key issues of the international agenda are either close or fully aligned. We consistently strive to contribute constructively to resolving global and regional challenges, working shoulder to shoulder in the #CSTO, the #CIS, the #SCO and on other multilateral platforms, including the #UN. Together, we counter sanctions pressure and advocate for the formation of a truly fair #MultipolarWorld. A solid foundation for our alliance has been laid by the intergovernmental Treaty on Security Guarantees within the Union State, which entered into force in 2025. I am confident that, together with our Belarusian friends, we will continue to do everything necessary to ensure the military security of the Union State using all capabilities at our disposal. #RussiaBelarus

✉️Letter by Ambassador of Russia to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov to the Editor-in-Chief of The Jakarta Post(26 February 2026) ✍️I noticed the interview with Ralf Beste, German Ambassador to Indonesia, ASEAN and Timor-Leste, published in The Jakarta Post on Feb. 20, 2026. I find it interesting to see a new face in the local diplomatic corps but it is a pity that together with other readers we have to hear the same old story about the “Russian war machine” and “sanctions packages”. An unbiased view on the Ukrainian conflict requires addressing its causes and the relevant aspects of international law, rather than replicating politicized clichés. Key points: • As for us, we will try to “separate the wheat from the chaff,” especially because these days mark 12 years since the tragic events on the “Maidan,” the culmination of which was an externally orchestrated, unconstitutional armed coup d’état in the Ukrainian capital. • The special military operation that started on Feb. 24, 2022, is being carried out in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, in full compliance with Russian legislation and at the request of the Donbass Republics that had been subject to the Ukrainian regime's shelling and blockade with the connivance of Western countries. It was Russia that made every effort until the very last moment to de-escalate tensions in Europe. • By carrying out the special military operation, the Russian Federation seeks to prevent Russians and Russian language speakers from being exterminated, as well as eliminating long-standing security threats created by the West after NATO had been expanding eastward for many years, bringing its military infrastructure closer to Russia’s borders, which was one of the primary causes of the Ukraine crisis. • For us, negotiations toward a settlement remain preferable, as President of Russia Vladimir Putin has repeatedly emphasized. We have not refused negotiations, as confirmed by our constructive engagement in reviewing US initiatives. We value the efforts of our BRICS partners to help create an atmosphere conducive to finding peaceful solutions to the Ukrainian crisis • The Ukrainian regime, which started as an ideologically charged combat unit fueled by Nazi ideology, has transformed into an organized criminal group mired in corruption and dragging its “sponsors” down with it. By financing them, Germany and other Western countries just “added more fuel to the fire”, trying to pump the regime with arms and push it toward escalation in order to inflict a “strategic defeat on Russia” through its hands. Read in full

Embassy Statement "On the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s Vote Concerning the Participation of Russian and Belarusian Athletes" (February 26, 2026) ❗️The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Canada has taken note of the recent Statement by the Canadian Paralympic Committee regarding the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. 🇷🇺🇧🇾 We cannot help but observe once again that, in practice, the often-repeated principle that “sport is beyond politics” appears to be applied selectively. The continued opposition to the participation of Russian and Belarusian Paralympic athletes represents a clear example of political considerations prevailing over the fundamental values that Paralympic Movement claims to uphold. 🧑‍🦽‍➡️It is particularly troubling that such a stance affects athletes with disabilities. Individuals who have dedicated years of their lives to sport, overcoming immense personal challenges. When discussions turn to inclusivity, equality, non-discrimination and support for persons with disabilities, these principles are presented as universal. Yet in reality, they seem conditional, upheld only so long as they do not conflict with prevailing political narratives. ❗️The Embassy remains convinced that sport must unite rather than divide, and that genuine inclusivity cannot exclude athletes on the basis of nationality. A fair and consistent approach, free from double standards, is essential to preserving the integrity and moral authority of international sport.