Russian MFA 🇷🇺

🎙Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's response to a media question on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's recent remarks(February 19, 2026) ❓Question: On February 15, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, and subsequently on February 16 in Budapest, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the US acts as a kind of mediator and is in a “unique position as the only nation on Earth that apparently can get Russia and Ukraine to the table to talk”. At the same time, he stressed that the US continues to supply weapons to Kiev and maintains sanctions against Russia. How would you comment on this? 💬Maria Zakharova: The US stance is indeed unique. On the one hand, President Trump's team inherited from the Biden administration the Ukrainian conflict, which continues to receive American support in the form of weapons supplies to the Ukrainian armed forces. On the other, the current US leadership, as we can see, is making efforts to explore possible ways out of the Ukrainian crisis – one that was itself instigated by Washington more than ten years ago. As for our contacts with Kiev, it is important to remain objective: many countries offered their assistance in organising such meetings. Several rounds of talks took place in February-March 2022 in the Gomel and Brest regions of Belarus, where the first elements of future agreements on conflict settlement were drafted. Contacts continued via videoconference and subsequently in Turkey. During the next round of Russia-Ukraine negotiations held in Istanbul on March 29, 2022, the heads of the two delegations reached a common understanding regarding a draft agreement on the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis. We are grateful to our Belarusian and Turkish colleagues for their assistance in facilitating those meetings. The subsequent fate of the negotiating process is well known. The prospect of a ceasefire and a peaceful resolution ran counter to the plans of Ukraine’s Anglo-Saxon patrons. At that point, then British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was urgently dispatched to Kiev, where he prohibited the Zelensky regime from continuing dialogue with Moscow and demanded that it keep fighting Russia “to the last Ukrainian”. Nevertheless, preferring a political and diplomatic path to achieve the objectives of the special military operation, and at the initiative of President Vladimir Putin, we succeeded in resuming in Istanbul in May 2025 the direct negotiations with Kiev that had been disrupted at the instigation of Western actors. Three rounds were held on May 16, June 2 and July 23, 2025. They resulted in important agreements on exchanges of POWs, detained civilians, and the repatriation of the bodies of fallen servicemen. Additionally, we handed over to the Ukrainian side a memorandum outlining our proposals for settlement, initiated the establishment of a bilateral monitoring and ceasefire control centre, as well as working groups on military, political and humanitarian issues. We were prepared, in a constructive spirit, to consider Kiev’s proposal to raise the level of the delegations. Unfortunately, all these initiatives went unanswered. In November 2025, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry announced the termination of negotiations, citing an alleged “lack of tangible progress”. ❗️ In this context, claiming that only the US managed to “bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table” is, at the very least, incorrect. Even the terminology used is hardly appropriate from a diplomatic standpoint. At the same time, we appreciate the US side’s stated desire to facilitate the search for peaceful solutions to the conflict. <…> The noted duality in Washington's position indeed raises questions. If someone sincerely intends to act as a mediator in a settlement process, then supplying one of the parties to the conflict with military assistance should cease. ☝️ Only then will genuine and effective diplomacy become possible – diplomacy that the Russian MFA consistently advocates. Read in full

🎙Statement by Permanent Representativeof the Russian Federation to the UN Vassily Nebenzia at a UNSC Briefing on the situation in the Middle East(New York, February 18, 2026) 💬Vassily Nebenzia: Over the past ten days, a number of members of Israel's military-political cabinet have announced the adoption of a package of measures that imply revising the legal status and the control modalities in Areas A and B of the West Bank, and launching a land registration process in Area C, designating this territory as “state property” open to development by the Israelis. All of this is nothing but a blatant attempt to legalize the decisions to expand settlements in the OPT, confiscate land, demolish Palestinian property, usurp water resources, and establish control over certain religious holy sites in Hebron and Bethlehem. ❗️ In other words, we see an obvious intention on the part of West Jerusalem to give themselves carte blanche to irreversibly change the status quo in the West Bank, including through entrenching creeping expansion and expelling the local population. <...> It is with regret and with alarm that we note that, under various pretexts – be it security or counter-terrorism efforts – Israel continues to breach its treaty-based obligations as the occupying Power, and violate the provisions of specific Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, including Security Council resolution 2334 and the New York Declaration in support of the two-State solution approved by the General Assembly. ⚠️ Such utter disregard for international law and a policy of creating irreversible facts on the ground are being rejected with bewilderment by the overwhelming majority of the international community. <...> Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, will continue to resolutely uphold the principles of a fair settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in accordance with Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, on the basis of the “two-state” formula approved by international decisions. We believe there is a need to step up international efforts to restore the political horizon in order to resolve the Palestinian issue. 👉 The fruit of such collective steps would be the establishment of a sovereign State of Palestine within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, coexisting in peace and security with Israel. Read in full

🇷🇺🇱🇰Embassy of Russia in Sri Lanka: 🗓 On February 19, the Russian Federation and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka mark the 69th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations — an important date symbolizing the strong friendship and mutual respect between our countries. For decades, Russian–Sri Lankan ties have developed in an atmosphere of trust, equality, and goodwill, remaining an example of constructive international cooperation. 📝 Contacts between the peoples existed long before Sri Lanka gained independence: as early as the 15th century, the island was mentioned in the memoirs of Russian traveler Afanasy Nikitin. In subsequent centuries, Ceylon was visited by prominent Russian scholars, writers, and cultural figures (Anton Chekhov, Ivan Bunin, Vassily Vereshchagin), and in 1891 the future Emperor Nicholas II visited the island and planted a tree in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya. In the second half of the 20th century, cooperation between the USSR and Sri Lanka became particularly extensive — trade, economic, scientific, technical, and cultural ties developed, industrial enterprises were built, transport routes were opened, and thousands of Sri Lankan specialists received education in the Soviet Union. Today, the Russian Federation, as the successor state to the USSR, continues to strengthen political dialogue and expand cooperation across various fields. 🎉 We congratulate the friendly people of Sri Lanka on this significant occasion! We wish our Sri Lankan partners and colleagues prosperity, peace, and success in all their endeavors. #RussiaSriLanka

✍️ President Vladimir Putin congratulated Russia’s Buddhists on the occasion of the White Month: 💬 Please accept my congratulations on the advent of the White Month – the New Year according to the lunar calendar. It is heartening to see that you carefully preserve the rich historical, cultural and spiritual heritage of many generations of your ancestors, along with their distinctive customs and traditions. Buddhist organisations take an active part in Russia’s public life, implement important educational and charitable initiatives, and make a meaningful contribution to promoting interreligious and interethnic harmony, strengthening family values and educating young people. I would like to particularly acknowledge the meaningful support the Buddhist community provides to participants in the special military operation and their families. Equally important is your sincere dedication to the restoration of temples and architectural landmarks, as well as to the construction of new monasteries and educational centres. Once again, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all Buddhists living in Russia, everyone who follows this ancient religion, on this bright and auspicious holiday. I wish you good health, continued success and all the very best. VLADIMIR PUTIN

🔴#LIVE: Roscongress presents 2026 events — The First International Transport and Logistics Forum, The Caucasus Investment Forum, and The Future Technologies Forum - 2026 — at a briefing at the Russian MFA 🔴Ruptly 🔴Russia’s MFA website

🇷🇺🇨🇺 On February 18, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovheld talks with the Special Representative of the President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, who visited Russia on a working visit. The meeting, held in a traditionally friendly and trusting atmosphere, reaffirmed both Sides’ readiness to further strengthen allied relations of strategic partnership across the entire spectrum of cooperation. The Ministers exchanged views on pressing global and regional issues. The Russian Side strongly condemned Washington’s illegitimate restrictive measures against Havana, as well as economic and coercive pressure exerted on the Cuban state and its citizens. The inadmissibility of energy-related restrictive measures against Cuba was emphasised. Russia reiterated its unwavering support for Havana’s just demand for the immediate lifting of the US trade, economic and financial blockade and for Cuba’s removal from the US State Department’s list of state sponsors of terrorism. *** 🎙From Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during his talks with Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla: 💬Sergey Lavrov: Together with the majority of the international community, we call on the US to exercise common sense and a responsible approach, and to refrain from any plans for a naval blockade of Cuba. ❌We categorically reject the far-fetched allegations against Russia and Cuba, against our cooperation, which is falsely portrayed as posing a threat to the interests of the US or anyone else. All issues must be resolved exclusively through mutually respectful dialogue aimed at finding a balance of interests. We know that our Cuban friends are always ready for such honest negotiations. For our part, we will consistently continue to support Cuba and the Cuban people in safeguarding their sovereignty and national security. We will discuss all these matters today. #RussiaCuba

📰Interview of the Ambassador of Russia to Canada, Oleg Stepanov, with "RIA Novosti" News Agency (February 17, 2026) Key takeaways: 🔹 On Bilateral Relations 📍 Today, there are no bilateral relations between Russia and Canada in the classical sense. Ottawa proactively chose to dismantle them. 📍 Certain radical public figures here, amid the extremely unfriendly stance of the Canadian government toward our country, are openly advocating the severing of diplomatic ties. We are, of course, prepared for any developments. However, I hope matters will not ultimately descend into a complete rupture of relations. 🔹On Sanctions 📍 In practical terms, if we speak of Russian funds, Canada has frozen a total of approximately 316 million US dollars. For the most part, these are likely private deposits or suspended transfers. Even Canadian intelligence services themselves have been unable to provide parliamentarians with a clear breakdown of how this figure was calculated. 📍The unilateral measures introduced by Ottawa stem from impotence. They are largely symbolic, a fiction designed, in the absence of other instruments, to demonstrate support for the regime in Kiev. 🔹 On the "Russianworld" in Canada 📍The anti-Russian fervor of official Ottawa has only further consolidated the “Russian World”. One of the central events demonstrating the resilience and unity of Russians in Canada was the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. It was marked on a large and dignified scale in many cities, despite attempts at provocation by various Russophobes and Banderite elements. 🔹On Ukraine 📍Ottawa remains among the foremost sponsors of the Kiev regime and continues to train its punitive forces responsible for killing Russian people and carrying out terrorist attacks in Russia. 📍 Since early 2022, Ottawa has delivered or pledged nearly 5 billion US dollars in military assistance to Kiev, approximately 0.28% of its GDP. 🔹OnNazis 📍The shielding of Nazi collaborator Hunka is a systemic feature of the worldview of Canada’s ruling class. It is deeply intertwined with the Ukrainian nationalist diaspora, descendants of Nazi collaborators, who have permeated all layers of Canadian society, particularly the political sphere. 📍The Carney cabinet refuses to make public the so-called “Deschênes List”. Formally, they claim that its disclosure would allegedly pose a threat to the physical, national, and international security of the state and could play into the hands of “Russian propaganda.” In reality, Canadian elites are afraid to pull this skeleton out of the closet. Read in full

🇷🇺🇸🇦February 19 marks the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our country and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 🤝 The Soviet Union was the first country to recognise the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd and incorporated regions, which later reunified under the guidance of King Abdulaziz Al Saud into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Diplomatic relations between our country and Saudi Arabia were established on February 19, 1926. However, in 1938, the Soviet diplomatic mission in Jeddah was closed, and diplomatic relations were de facto suspended. In 1990, the Sides reached an agreement to normalise diplomatic relations and to reinstate diplomatic missions. The Russian Embassy in the capital, Riyadh, has been operating since May 1991; the Consulate General in Jeddah opened in April 1991. The Embassy of Saudi Arabia opened in Moscow in December 1991. Russia-Saudi Arabia relations are making great strides, and the political dialogue is maintained regularly. President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has visited Riyadh three times: on an official visit on February 11-12, 2007; on a state visit on October 14-15, 2019; and on a working visit on December 6, 2023. The Russian President and Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman regularly talk over the telephone. The Foreign Ministries of the two states maintain close contacts as well. On May 31, 2022, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov paid a working visit to Riyadh to hold talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. In turn, the Saudi Foreign Minister visited Moscow in March 2023 and July 2025. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia acts as mediator in a number of international processes, including certain aspects of Russia-US dialogue. ☝️ Russia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia consistently advance cooperation on international and multilateral venues. Our countries coordinate positions in OPEC Plus, making a significant contribution to ensuring the stability of the global oil market. 📈 Trade and economic cooperation between Russia and the Kingdom boasts steady positive momentum. Bilateral trade increased from $2.2 billion in 2021 to about $4 billion in 2025. Joint projects are underway in energy, agriculture, logistics, and infrastructure. The Russian Direct Investment Fund and the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund play an important role in strengthening investment cooperation. 💬Maria Zakharova had the following to say at a February 12, 2026 briefing: On February 19, 2026, Russia and Saudi Arabia will mark the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Russia was the first country to recognise the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd and incorporated regions, which was later transformed into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the guidance of King Abdulaziz Al Saud. That recognition provided a solid foundation for the subsequent strengthening and development of multifaceted ties between our friendly countries. Our ties are based on the principles of mutual respect, trust and a balance of interests. 🎉 We offer our best wishes to our colleagues and friends in Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries. #RussiaSaudiArabia

🇷🇺🇨🇺Remarks by Russia's President Vladimir Putin during talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla(Moscow, February 18, 2026) 💬Vladimir Putin: Mr Minister, friends, It is a great pleasure to meet with you in Moscow, not only in your capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs but also as a special envoy of the President. Please convey my best wishes to the President of Cuba and Army General Castro. Relations between our countries are special and have been forged through history. We have always stood by Cuba in its struggle for independence, for the right to pursue its own path of development, and we have consistently supported the Cuban people. We understand the immense challenges that the Cuban people have faced over the years, over the decades – indeed, throughout the decades of Cuba’s independence – in their fight for the right to live by their own rules and to defend their national interests. We are now witnessing a particular period marked by new sanctions. ❗️ You know our stance on this – we reject such measures outright. The position of our Ministry of Foreign Affairs is clear, unequivocal, and has been articulated openly. As for bilateral relations, they are developing, on the whole, along a positive trajectory, and I am confident that today we will have the opportunity to discuss all these matters in detail. I am very glad to see you. Welcome! Incidentally, this year we will mark the centenary of Fidel Castro’s birth, and we will do so together. #RussiaCuba

🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’sinterview with Al Arabiya television channel(Moscow, February 17, 2026) Key talking points: #TheArabWorld • We enjoy solid relationships with all Arab countries and their organisations. These include the League of Arab States (LAS), with which we have held about half a dozen ministerial meetings. We also plan to hold the Russia-LAS summit. We also maintain a close relationship with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which has been maintained by annual events at the level of foreign ministers. #SaudiArabia • Saudi Arabia is the leader of the Arab world, a country of two Holiest sites in Islam, and the author of the Arab Peace Initiative to settle the most complicated and enduring crisis, the Palestinian issue. • Our country regards Saudi Arabia as its strategic partner in the region. We believe that this view is shared by our Saudi colleagues. We are very pleased with our cooperation. • We are developing humanitarian, cultural, educational and sports ties. <...> A few days ago, I had a conversation with my friend, Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. One of the issues we discussed concerned the preparation of Intervision International Music Contest, which reflects the striving of Russia and Saudi Arabia to promote traditional values. • We enjoy solid relationships with all Arab countries and their organisations. These include the #LAS, with which we have held about half a dozen ministerial meetings. We also plan to hold the #RussiaLAS summit. We also maintain a close relationship with #GCC. #Iran • Regrettably, Israel and the US went ahead with the strikes [against Iran], creating physical risks and undermining the authority of the #IAEA and the #NPT. The IAEA has exerted unprecedented control, especially in the past years, after the signing of the #JCPOA. Iran was never found violating the Non-Proliferation Treaty or its agreement on guarantees with the IAEA. All risks and political tensions emerged after the US withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018. #Syria • Mutual respect and mutual benefit – these are the principles that have underpinned our relations with Syria from the very beginning, since its establishment. We hold these relations in high regard. • We firmly believe that a multiethnic, multi-confessional state such as Syria must restore its unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty as swiftly as possible. In this endeavour, we will continue to – and indeed already do – assist Damascus and its new leadership. • As for our military facilities, discussions are ongoing. Let me reiterate: the Syrians are keen for our presence to endure. #Palestine • We should not overlook the fact that the situation in the West Bank is becoming increasingly tense and volatile as a result of Israeli actions, including the recent issuance of directives regulating land acquisition and urban development procedures. Until recently, such matters were coordinated with the Palestinian National Authority. Now, however, unilateral decisions are being taken, and analysis of their likely consequences suggests that little may remain of the territories currently administered by the Palestinian National Authority. Now, however, unilateral decisions are being taken, and analysis of their likely consequences suggests that little may remain of the territories currently administered by the Palestinian National Authority. #UkrainianCrisis • Europe hysterically demands that Russia start talks and that all sides agree that Europe must be part of these talks. <...> Europe has revealed its Nazi essence, which we thought was destroyed with the Hitler’s defeat in WWII. It has turned out to be extremely tenacious. I don’t see what role Europe could play. • We greatly value the stance taken by the Trump administration and personally by the President of the US. We are closely observing Europe’s attempts to dissuade the current Washington administration from its principled stance, as discussed and agreed in Anchorage, Alaska. We remain fully committed to those understandings. Read in full

🕯On February 17, a farewell ceremony was held in Edinburgh for Dairmid Gunn OBE, a man of outstanding personality, who over the years served as chairman of the Scottish branch of the Great Britain-USSR Association and vice-president of the Scotland-Russia Forum. Dairmid spoke excellent Russian and possessed a profound knowledge of Russian literature and art. He strove to convey it to Scottish audiences, sparking their interest in our country and instilling a respect for its history. Dairmid also made a significant contribution to preserving the memory of our peoples' joint struggle against Nazi Germany during World War II. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first Arctic Convoy, Gunn documented the experiences of Scottish veterans who had participated in these heroic missions in his book, "Cold Seas and Warm Friendships: An Allied Bridge Over the Arctic". Dairmid’s contributions were duly recognized in Russia – in 2018, he was awarded the Pushkin Medal. Despite his advanced age and the deteriorating political climate, Dairmid continued to deliver lectures in Edinburgh on the Scottish-Russian links and Russia's contribution to world literature and culture. In his speech at the farewell ceremony, Consul General of Russia in Edinburgh Denis Moskalenko honored the memory of Dairmid Gunn, who until his final days made every effort to foster mutual understanding between the peoples of Scotland and Russia. We express our deepest condolences to Dairmid's family and loved ones. He will forever remain in our hearts as a true friend of our country.

⚡️ Remarks by the Ambassador of Russia to Ireland H.E. Yuriy Filatov(February 17, 2026) ✍️ Judging by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence Helen McEntee’s remarks on RTE “Morning Ireland” on February 16, the idea of the “Russian threat” to Ireland and “everybody else” is not only gaining traction with the Irish government, it is already something of an obsession at the Leinster House. The reason for this scaremongering is perfectly clear as Minister McEntee continued the tradition of using “Russian threat” as a pretext for the militarization of Ireland and greater engagement with NATO. ☝️ There are at least two points to be made in this regard. Firstly, Russia has never threatened Ireland and its people – to claim the opposite would be wrong and misleading. Secondly, it is of course the sovereign right of Ireland to formulate its security and defence policy, but at the same time it would seem obvious that decisions in that area should not be based on false assumptions. The notion of the “Russian threat” is certainly an illusion, and a dangerous one. ‼️Minister McEntee herself provides proof by saying in the same interview that the Irish government is now considering boarding Russian cargo ships by the Irish defence forces personnel. That is indeed remarkable, unprecedented and unacceptable – the Irish cabinet minister threatening Russian civilian ships with the illegal hostile actions which, one would hope, she knows is an act of piracy under international maritime law with the most serious consequences. Now, that is the real reason for the Irish public to be worried. The Irish government should really reflect on where such reckless and thoughtless line could lead.