Russian MFA 🇷🇺

🧭January 29 marks theDiscoverers’ Day in Russia 🧊 On this day in 1820, Russian naval officers Faddey Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev discovered #Antarctica – the sixth continent. The expedition lasted 751 days. Sailing aboard the two sloops Vostok and Mirny, the 102-strong crew were the first to map the boundaries of the Antarctic continent. The voyage was extremely arduous and dangerous. Small wooden sailing vessels had to navigate close to ice and icebergs, often in dense fog. Heading south, on January 28, the Russian navigators came within close proximity of the icy shores of a previously unknown land. 📝Mikhail Lazarev later wrote about that historic moment: “We reached latitude 69°23 S, where we met main ice of extraordinary height… and looking out from the crosstrees, it stretched just as far as our gaze could reach… At last, there lay before us that southern main, so long sought after, whose existence scholars in their studies had deemed necessary for the balance of the globe.” Braving fierce ocean swells and polar ice, the expedition successfully circumnavigated the continent. This remarkable voyage brought glory to Russia and turned St Petersburg into a leading centre of global geography. The results of the expedition, which led to the discovery of Antarctica and twenty-nine new islands, represent an Russia's outstanding contribution to the history of geographical exploration. Later, shortly after the end of the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet Union resumed its exploration of the continent. In 1946, the Slava whaling flotilla, carrying a scientific team, sailed to Antarctica. They reached the point where Bellingshausen and Lazarev had sighted the “main ice” and verified the accuracy of their original accounts. On February 13, 1956, the first Soviet Antarctic research station, the Mirny Observatory, was officially opened. This was later followed by a network of year-round Russian stations. 🇷🇺 Today, Russia continues its research in Antarctica. In late 2024, a new wintering complex entered service at the inland Vostok Station. In 2025, the research vessel Akademik Tryoshnikov completed the International Antarctic Coastal Circumnavigation Expedition. The 71st Russian Antarctic Expedition is currently underway.

An official welcoming ceremony for the President of the United Arab Emirates, led by the President of the Russian Federation, was held in the Grand Kremlin Palace's St George Hall The national anthems of both countries were performed. Vladimir Putin and Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan introduced the members of their respective delegations.

🎙Statement by Permanent Representativeof the Russian Federation to the UN Vassily Nebenzia at a UNSC Open Debate on the Situation in the Middle East(New York, January 28, 2026) 💬 Vassily Nebenzia: Recent developments in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone give us grounds for cautious optimism and offer hope for a definitive transition from the logic of confrontation and violence to diplomacy and economic revival. We welcome the return to Israel of the body of the last hostage, Ran Gvili, which was made possible owing to the Palestinians disclosing the information on its whereabouts. The wounds inflicted on the Israeli nation on October 7, 2023, may still be fresh, but let us hope that this symbolic event, which marked the final reunification of all families with their loved ones, is set to pave the way for restoring relations between the two peoples. <...> We note the long-awaited start of the second phase of President Trump's peace plan, which was announced by the US on January 14. The launch of the work of transitional bodies in the enclave – first and foremost that of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), headed by experienced official of the Palestinian Administration (PA) Ali Shaath – lays the groundwork for rebuilding the Gaza Strip. ❗️ We stand convinced that the peace initiative will hardly succeed until the interests and rights of the Palestinian people are fully respected and transitional structures coordinate closely with the PA. We emphasize that any plans for the forcible displacement of Gazans are inadmissible, no matter what plausible pretexts these plans may be furnished with. <...> We believe that further implementation of Trump’s plan will require mediators to focus on finding a comprehensive negotiated solution to the problem of disarming Palestinian groups and withdrawing Israeli forces from Gaza. Attempts at a military solution are doomed to failure. *** Unfortunately, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains catastrophic given total devastation and restrictions on the delivery of supplies. Persistent bans on carrying out humanitarian operations and importing essential goods and equipment for clearing rubble are seriously exacerbating the plight of Gazans. <...> It is precisely based on the acute needs and pressing demands of the Palestinians that we announced our readiness to provide US$1 billion from Russian assets frozen by the previous US administration for projects to rebuild and reconstruct the Gaza Strip. ☝️We call on Israel to refrain from actions that undermine the humanitarian response and to ensure safe and unhindered access for humanitarian agencies to address one of the most acute crises of our time. <...> 👉 Our country's position on the Palestinian-Israeli settlement is principled and not subject to circumstantial changes. We reaffirm our support for the two-state formula and a just solution to the Palestinian issue on the basis of a universally recognized legal framework. Read in full

🗓 On January 27, 2026, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovheld a meeting in Moscow with Co-Facilitators for the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on UN Security Council Reform, Permanent Representatives of Kuwait and the Netherlands to the UN Tareq Albanai and Lise Gregoire van Haaren. The Parties focused on the current round of negotiations held as part of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly. Sergey Lavrov reiterated Russia’s position of principle in support of a coordinated Security Council reform, aimed at enhancing this body’s prestige and effectiveness and at making it more democratic through an expanded representation of Global South and East countries. The Parties also stated that significant differences persisted among the IGN participants on all key aspects of the reform process. This being so, it was necessary to go on with a thorough discussion of this agenda in the current format of intergovernmental negotiations, while avoiding to set any deadlines in the interests of reaching as broad an agreement as possible among the member states. #UNCharterIsOurRules

🗓President of Russia Vladimir Putin held talks with President of Syria Ahmed al-Sharaa in the Kremlin(January 28, 2026, Moscow) The President of Syria arrived in Russia on a working visit. The agenda of the talks includes the state and prospects for the development of bilateral relations in various fields, as well as the current situation in the Middle East. 💬Vladimir Putin: Time has not been wasted since our previous meeting.Much has been accomplished in terms of restoring relations between our countries. We have succeeded in moving cooperation in the economic sphere off dead centre. Trade has grown by more than 4%. While this may not be as ambitious as we would wish, the progress is tangible, and it is essential to preserve and build on this positive trend. Considerable efforts are under way to advance our relations across all areas. As we have noted before, Russia-Syria relations have deep historical roots. As early as 1944 – in the midst of the Second World War – the Soviet Union and Syria signed an agreement establishing diplomatic relations. Throughout all these years, our interstate relations have never known any dark pages. Today, in the new realities, thanks in no small part and above all to your efforts, relations between Syria and Russia are developing. Since your previous visit, our relevant agencies have been actively working. A large interdepartmental delegation of the Russian Government visited Syria and engaged in intensive work with Syrian counterparts. ✔️ As a result, a number of promising initiatives have been outlined, including in industry and through humanitarian agencies – in sports, healthcare, and construction. I am aware that extensive reconstruction efforts remain necessary in Syria, and our economic operators, including those in the construction sector, stand ready to participate in this joint work. We have been closely following your efforts to restore Syria’s territorial integrity. I would like to congratulate you on the fact that this process is gaining momentum. Russia has always consistently advocated the restoration of Syria’s territorial integrity – as you are well aware – and we support all your efforts in this direction. I trust that the integration of the territories east of the Euphrates constitutes a crucial step along this path and will contribute to the full restoration of Syria’s territorial integrity. We congratulate you on this important achievement.

🎙Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to a media question regarding the plans of the US administration to tighten the blockade of Cuba(January 28, 2026) ❓ Question: A number of media reports, citing sources within the US administration, claim that Washington allegedly plans to further step up pressure on Cuba, including the introduction of a naval blockade of the island to completely cut off oil supplies. How would you comment on this? 💬Maria Zakharova: Such “leaks” are deeply concerning, particularly against the backdrop of the forcible abduction by the US in early January – in blatant violation of the fundamental norms and principles of international law – of the incumbent President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro, and his spouse. This is all the more alarming given that representatives of the US administration have repeatedly issued threats against Cuba, including openly declaring their readiness to “blow everyone up there”, while simultaneously pressuring Havana to enter into some kind of a “deal”. As is well known, for nearly 70 years Cuba has endured the severe pressure of an illegitimately imposed economic, trade and financial blockade enforced by Washington. The US continues to resort to every conceivable pretext to tighten this blockade further, including by placing Cuba on the odious list of so-called “state sponsors of terrorism”. In this context, we hope that these reports are unfounded and devoid of any real basis. Common sense must prevail in Washington as well. Otherwise, this would constitute yet another flagrant violation of international law – elevating US domestic legislation and its unilateral sanctions regime above universally recognized international legal norms, inflicting inhumane harm on the dignified life of Cuban citizens, and deliberately provoking a humanitarian crisis on the island. ✊Our solidarity with the Cuban people and the leadership of brotherly Cuba remains unwavering.

🇷🇺🇨🇫📞 On January 28, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadérahad a telephone conversation. Vladimir Putincongratulated Faustin-Archange Touadéra on his confident victory in the presidential elections held on 28 December 2025 and conveyed his sincere wishes of well-being and prosperity to the people of the Central African Republic. In turn, the Central African Republic President thanked the Russian leader for Russia’s comprehensive support in strengthening the country’s sovereignty and security. 🤝 Having discussed current issues of cooperation in the political, trade and economic, and humanitarian spheres, the leaders reaffirmed their mutual commitment to further developing friendly bilateral relations. #RussiaCAR#RussiaAfrica

🕯 On 27 January Russian diplomats together with Russian compatriots living in the United Kingdom laid a wreath and flowers at the Soviet War Memorial in London to mark the 82nd anniversary of the lifting of the Nazi siege of Leningrad. Members of the Russian community in Manchester also held a flower-laying ceremony at a plaque unveiled in 2020 in honoured memory of the Soviet soldiers, who gave their lives liberating Europe and in recognition of the brave people of the besieged Leningrad. On the eve of this date, the Russian diplomatic mission's staff conveyed greetings of the Governor of Saint Petersburg (former Leningrad) Alexander Beglov to the veterans of the Great Patriotic War – residents of the besieged Leningrad, who currently live in the UK. The Nazi German blockade of the city stands as one of the most tragic yet heroic chapters in the history of our country. It lasted from 8 September 1941 to 27 January 1944 — 872 days of extreme hardship, hunger and deprivation. Historians estimate that no more than 800,000 of the three million inhabitants of Leningrad and its surrounding areas survived the siege. The feat of Leningraders has become a symbol of unbreakable will, courage and self-sacrifice. The memory of those who died in the blockade will remain in our hearts forever. #Victory81#WeRemember

🕯“Nevsky Pyatachok” is the name given to a small bridgehead on the Neva River – a narrow strip of land some 50 kilometres from St Petersburg. It became one of the most tragic and decisive places of the Great Patriotic War. During the Siege of Leningrad, this ground witnessed some of the fiercest and most crucial battles. Here, Red Army units held their ground against overwhelming Nazi forces, repeatedly seeking to pierce the German encirclement and open even the narrowest corridor to the besieged “northern capital”, bringing hope to its starving population. More than 200,000 Soviet warriors perished on this small patch of land, turning it into one of the most tragic battlefields of the siege. 💬 Today, a memorial stands on the “Nevsky Pyatachok”. Its inscription is as a grim testament for the living: Ye who live should know – this land we did not want to abandon. And we never left. By the dark waters of the Neva River, we made our last stand. We perished so that you might live. #WeRemember

#Victory81 🏅 On January 27, 1944, Leningrad was fully liberated from the fascist blockade. The Siege of Leningrad is one of the most tragic, yet heroic, chapters in human history. Hitler intended to destroy the city along with all its inhabitants. The people of Leningrad selflessly defended their city for nearly 900 days, despite enormous losses, hunger, and cold. “125 blockade grams, amid fire and blood” — that was the daily bread ration in the winter of 1941-1942. It was below the physiological minimum required for survival. According to current data, at least 1'093'000 people died as a result of the Siege imposed on the city by German and Finnish troops. ☝️ Saint Petersburg City Court recognised the Siege of Leningrad as an act of genocide against the Soviet people. 🎥©Russian Military Historical Society

🎙Russian MFA Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s comment on International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27, 2026) 💬 Adopted in 2005, UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/60/7 provided for designatingJanuary 27 as International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. ☝️ Russia was among the co-sponsors who initiated the adoption of this document. It contains the following wording:“Holocaust, which resulted in the murder of one third of the Jewish people, along with countless members of other minorities, will forever be a warning to all people of the dangers of hatred, bigotry, racism and prejudice.” There was a reason to mark this day on January 27. #OTD in 1945, the forces of the Red Army’s 1st Ukrainian Front under Ivan Konev’s command liberated #AuschwitzBirkenau(Oswiecim) and saved the surviving prisoners. This resolution also conveyed a sense of respect and admiration within the international community towards the courage and selflessnessby the soldiers who liberated this concentration camp. On January 26, 2026, members of Russia’s foreign missions in Poland laid wreaths to a mass grave of the Red Army personnel at the local parish cemetery in Oswiecim to commemorate their feats. These servicemen died in January 1945 while fighting to liberate this town and its suburbs. 🌟In 2025, Russia and all the progressive forces around the world marked #Victory80. It is our country, including all the nations within the former USSR, that made a decisive contribution to destroying Hitler’s war machine, liberating Europe and the entire world from the so-called brown plague, even if this came at an incredible cost and required an all-out effort and all the resources we had. The #Holocaust, i.e., the mass extermination of Jews and other minorities, was one of the most tragic events of the 20th century. It will always remain inscribed in the history of humankind as a symbol of unprecedented and unspeakably cruel attempt at fulfilling a human-hating ideology. This history teaches a terrifying lesson and serves as a warning which shows where the ideas of supremacy, exceptionalism, segregation by religion, race and other attributes can lead. <...> Russia takes great care to keep alive the memory of the many millions of victims who perished during #WWII, which we call the Great Patriotic War, as well as the memory of the feat accomplished by the Soviet liberator soldiers who stopped the Nazis and extinguished the fire of the Holocaust. Our country paid an excessively high price to allow anyone to question or challenge the #GreatVictory. We will do everything we can to ensure that horrendous crimes of this kind never happen again. Russia is firm and resolved in its commitment to countering any attempts to falsify facts about World War II and rehabilitate Nazism. <...> Today, the Russian Jewish Congress, the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia and other specialised entities are making an invaluable contribution to preserving the memory of Holocaust victims around the world. The Foreign Ministry has been closely and effectively collaborating with them. As usual, there will be many events in Russia to mark this day. On January 14-31, our country holds the annual Holocaust Remembrance Week, while the Russian Jewish Congress awards the Memory Keepers award which celebrates exceptional contributions to preserving the memory of the Holocaust. As part of the Remembrance Week, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art will open an exhibition on January 28 titled “Dmitry Lion. Procession.” It is timed to coincide with the 100th birthday of one of the key figures in post-war Soviet art for whom the tragedy of the Holocaust served as a starting point in his creative journey. Read in full

🎆On January 27, 1944, at 20:00 – for the first time in a long while, the evening sky over Leningrad was lit not by anti-aircraft searchlights, but by the bright flashes of a victory salute. 24 volleys from 324 guns thundered across the Mars Field, along the banks of the Neva River, and from the ships of the Baltic Fleet, marking the long-awaited end of the blockade of the hero city on the Neva. 💬From the Order of the Military Council of the Leningrad Front to the troops of the Leningrad Front, January 27, 1944: Citizens of Leningrad! Brave and steadfast people of Leningrad! Together with the troops of the Leningrad Front, you have defended our city. Through your heroic labour and unyielding endurance, overcoming all the hardships and suffering of the blockade, you forged the weapons of Victory over the enemy, giving all your strength to the cause. In celebration of the Victory achieved and in honour of the complete liberation of Leningrad from the enemy blockade, today, 27 January, at 20:00, the City of Lenin salutes the valiant troops of the Leningrad Front with 24 artillery volleys from 324 guns. 💬From the article by the Leningrad branch of TASS, January 28, 1944: The hero city, which for 28 months fought steadfastly and courageously against a ferocious enemy, has withstood an unparalleled siege and driven back the Nazi thugs. The warriors of Leningrad, continuing their offensive, are driving the enemy from our Soviet homeland. In celebration of the Great Victory and in honour of the complete liberation of Leningrad from the enemy blockade, yesterday, 27 January, the City of Lenin saluted the valiant troops of the Leningrad Front. The capital of our Fatherland, Moscow, which salutes the liberation of ever more cities, yesterday listened with special emotion to the salute – this time thundering from Leningrad itself. In the darkest and most tragic days of the blockade, the people of Moscow always stood with the people of Leningrad in spirit. They admired their extraordinary resilience and courage, shared in their ordeals, and never wavered in their belief in Victory. 468 long days still remained until the final defeat of the Nazi invaders, and the Red Banner raised over the Reichstag. Yet 82 years ago, the people of Leningrad who had endured bombardment, hunger and unimaginable suffering of the siege had every right to celebrate a special Victory. Moscow, which marked every military achievement with artillery salute, on that single occasion yielded this honour to the Northern Capital. 🏅Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in the battle for Leningrad, for the freedom and independence of our Fatherland! #Victory81