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🇷🇺🇧🇾📞 On January 22, Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of Belarus Maksim Ryzhenkovheld a telephone conversation. The Ministers discussed current issues of bilateral cooperation and foreign policy coordination, as well as a number of pressing items on the international agenda. In particular, they exchanged views on the US President Donald Trump's invitation to a number of countries, including the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, proposing the establishment of a “Peace Council”, and outlined further steps to advance the joint Belarus-Russia initiative on developing a Eurasian Charter of Diversity and Multipolarity in the 21st Century. They also reviewed the schedule of upcoming meetings and events at the highest and high levels. #RussiaBelarus

🇷🇺🇵🇸#RussiaPalestine talks have begun in Moscow – President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas meet in the Kremlin. 📹©Kremlin.News

🎙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 plenary meeting of the Conference on Disarmament (Geneva, January 20, 2026) Key talking points: • We are launching the session of our forum this year amid a challenging international environment. Naturally, the current situation on the world stage has a direct impact on the consideration of issues related to arms control, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and strategic stability in general. Today’s world requires effort, responsibility, and conscious choices. • The search for compromise solutions is increasingly being replaced by unilateral and highly dangerous actions. Instead of dialogue between States, we hear the monologue of those who, by virtue of their power, consider it acceptable to dictate their will, lecture others on how to live their lives, and give orders. • In just a couple of weeks since the beginning of 2026, we have witnessed a blatant violation of the fundamental principle of international law and the UN Charter, aggression, attempts to interfere in the internal political processes of sovereign States, threats of force and the use of force. A striking example of the implementation of such a concept is the recent actions by Washington against Venezuela. • Dangerous tensions are growing around the Islamic Republic of Iran. The US, which already committed an act of armed aggression against Tehran last year, continues to exert enormous pressure on it. We call on Washington to abandon its militant rhetoric towards Iran, respect its sovereignty, and prevent a repeat of last year’s tragedy under false pretexts. • I cannot fail to mention the situation around Greenland, which has essentially caused panic within NATO. All this has a negative impact on strategic stability. 🇷🇺 Our country continues to face military, political, and economic aggression from many Western States. European countries, intoxicated by Russophobia, continue to pursue the utopian goal of inflicting a “strategic defeat” on Russia. Europeans, including the entire apparatus of the EU in Brussels, spare no resources in supporting the regime of Zelensky. • Russia has consistently proposed initiatives aimed at maintaining restraint and predictability in the field of arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation, as well as in the sphere of international and regional security. • The proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin that Moscow and Washington voluntarilyimpose restrictions on themselves in terms of compliance with the central limits under the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START) after the termination of this treaty is a constructive and good faith initiative. • One of the priorities for the Russian delegation in 2026, as in previous years, is the work of the CD on agenda item 3 “Prevention of an arms race in outer space” (PAROS). • For Russia, one of the priorities remains the implementation of its initiative to develop an International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Chemical and Biological Terrorism, which was presented to the CD back in 2016 under the agenda item 6. • The Russian delegation has been closely following all proposals from CD Member States aimed at revitalizing the substantive work of our forum. We note the interest of some States in discussing the issue of emerging technologies at the Conference including issues related to the use of AI for military purposes. • The Russian delegation has consistently advocated for the principles of inclusiveness and multilateralism in the work of the Conference. At the same time, we are convinced that those States that are admitted to the forum as observers should contribute to the achievement of its goals and objectives, as well as the implementation of its mandate. Read in full

🎙President of Russia Vladimir Putin held an operational meeting with permanent members of the Security Council of the Russian Federation(January 21, 2026) 💬Vladimir Putin: As far as the US “Peace Council” initiative is concerned, we have indeed received a personal message from President Trump inviting us to join a new international structure being established on his initiative. In this regard, I would like first of all to thank the US President for this proposal. We have always supported and continue to support any efforts aimed at strengthening international stability. We also note the contribution of the current US Administration to efforts to find solutions for settling the Ukrainian crisis. As for our participation in the “Peace Council”, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been instructed to review the documents received, consult our strategic partners on this matter, and only after that will we be able to provide a response to the invitation conveyed to us. The proposal made to us primarily concerns settlement in the Middle East and the search for possible ways to address the urgent problems facing the Palestinian people and to resolve the acute humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. In this context, I would like to stress the main point. The key issue is that the entire process should contribute to a long-term settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, based on the relevant UN decisions. Even before we decide on the issue of our participation in the composition and work of the “Peace Council”, taking into account Russia’s special relations with the Palestinian people, we could, I believe, allocate 1 billion US dollars to the “Peace Council” from Russian assets that were frozen under the previous US administration. By the way, the remaining funds from our assets frozen in the US could also be used for the restoration of territories affected by hostilities after the conclusion of a peace treaty between Russia and Ukraine. This possibility is also being discussed with representatives of the US Administration. ☝️ I plan to discuss all these issues with President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas, as well as with US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are also arriving in Moscow on January 22 to continue the dialogue on Ukrainian settlement. *** ❌What is happening with Greenland does not concern us at all. However, we do have experience in resolving similar issues with the US. In 1867, Russia sold Alaska to the United States. If my memory serves me right, the area of Alaska is about 1 million 717 thousand square kilometres, slightly more. The US bought Alaska from us for 7.2 million US dollars. The area of Greenland is slightly more than, I believe, 2 million 166 thousand square kilometres. That is, the difference is roughly 449-450 thousand square kilometres. If we compare this with the cost of the US acquisition of Alaska, the price for Greenland would be somewhere around 200-250 million US dollars. If we compare this with gold prices of that period, the figure would probably be closer to one billion. But I think the US could handle that amount as well. Most importantly, Denmark and the US also have their own experience in this regard. If I am not mistaken, in 1917 Denmark sold, and the US purchased, the Virgin Islands. So such experience also exists. By the way, Denmark has always treated Greenland as a colony and treated it rather harshly, if not brutally. However, this is a separate issue and is hardly relevant to the current discussion. 👉In any case, this definitely does not concern us. I think they will sort it out between themselves.

🎙Comment by Ambassador of Russia to Canada Oleg Stepanov to the Newspaper "Izvestia" (January 19, 2026) ❓By early 2026, the trade restrictions imposed against the Russian Federation by the Carney government in mid-2025 have fully entered into force. How have these measures affected trade between Russia and Canada? Can one speak of a complete curtailment of economic cooperation between Moscow and Ottawa? 💬 Oleg Stepanov: As is well known, the Canadian authorities continue to pursue an extremely Russophobic policy. In their efforts to defend the interests of the Kiev regime, they aim to inflict a “strategic defeat” on our country. Unilateral and illegitimate sanctions are a tool used by the Canadian government to advance its anti-Russian ideological agenda. 📍In this context, it is important to stress that the restrictions introduced by Prime Minister Carney’s cabinet in mid-2025 did not fundamentally alter the situation. The course toward dismantling bilateral trade and economic cooperation was adopted by Ottawa back in February 2022. As a result, trade turnover between our countries collapsed from $ 2.2 billion in 2021 to just $ 98 million in 2024. ❗️It is worth recalling that the Canadian authorities have consistently and deliberately pressured their own economic operators, in effect banning any forms of cooperation with Russian counterparts. Canadian entrepreneurs are being intimidated, with any business contacts with Russia equated to "supporting the aggressor". 🇷🇺 In Russia, of course, we fully understand that these so-called "maple" sanctions are a fiction. They have no practical impact. It is political posturing, aimed partly at the domestic audience and partly at demonstrating loyalty to the Western Russophobic club. Bilateral relations are already in a state of deep freeze. The responsibility for the consequences of this shortsighted policy lies entirely with the Canadian leadership. ❓Does the discussion of confiscating frozen Russian assets continue within Canada’s ruling circles? Is Ottawa considering measures to impose an indefinite freeze on Russian assets even if European restrictions are lifted? 💬 Oleg Stepanov: This topic continues to surface from time to time, both in political rhetoric and in concrete legislative initiatives. In June 2022, an amendment was adopted allowing for the seizure of private foreign assets by court decision. 📍The Senate of Canada is currently reviewing a bill which, if passed, would authorize the confiscation of assets belonging to foreign states without any court ruling, under the pretext of "violations of peace and security". Unsurprisingly, it is the Canadian authorities themselves who will determine whether such violations have occurred. From a legal standpoint, this is absurd, but such are the local realities. ❗️It is important to understand that these legal innovations represent attempts to legitimize the unilateral expropriation of foreign property under political pretexts. They violate the basic principles of sovereign immunity and legal certainty. Even within Canada’s own political establishment, such proposals are sparking controversy. 🇨🇦 Moreover, the Canadian authorities themselves do not seem to know whether they actually have any Russian assets to begin with, beyond a desire to seize something. They may be inspired by the predatory dreams of the European Commission, but in fact, there are no Russian sovereign assets in Canada.

#Outcomes2025 🎙Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during his annual news conferenceon the Russian diplomacy outcomes in 2025(January 20, 2026) 💬Sergey Lavrov: At a time when we are witnessing turbulent developments amid the strengthening of multipolarity, the issue on the agenda is dialogue on how to bring order to it. This will take a considerable amount of time, some say – an entire historical era. But this process is inevitable. The fact that this is being recognized by the key players is confirmed, among other things, by the initiative of the US President to establish a “Peace Council”. We have recently received concrete proposals and a draft charter for this structure. This initiative reflects the US understanding that even with its own foreign policy philosophy, it proceeds from the need to bring together a group of countries willing to cooperate in one area or another. Some may object that the “Peace Council” has been conceived and announced in such a way that everyone would be expected to subordinate themselves to the US. This is indeed the situation Washington would like to see at present. ☝️ However, I can assure you that the Trump administration – for all the actions that are now widely discussed around the world – is an administration of pragmatists. It recognizes the need to not merely unite a large number of countries under its leadership, but also to fully take into account their legitimate interests. I would stress once again that this position, this readiness and this understanding of the need to fully consider a partner’s interests are clearly reflected in the approaches of the Trump administration to the Ukrainian settlement. It is the only Western country prepared to address the task of eliminating the root causes of this conflict, which was largely created by President Trump’s predecessor – Joe Biden and his administration. 👉 This process is only at its very beginning. It will not be easy and will require the mobilization of all resources – the centres of growth and centres of influence I have mentioned. However, given goodwill – and we do see signs that such goodwill may take root – much can be achieved. 📺Watch the news conference in full

🎙 Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s answer to a media question regarding Moldova’s withdrawal from the Commonwealth of Independent States (January 21, 2026) ❓Question: On January 19, Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi announced the initiation of a process to denounce three fundamental CIS documents: the Commonwealth Charter, the Agreement on the Establishment of the CIS, and its Protocol. According to him, this will grant Chișinău “the right to say that Moldova is no longer a member of the CIS.” How would you comment on this? 💬 Maria Zakharova: The Moldovan authorities have on numerous occasions declared their intention to, in their own words, undertake a “civilised divorce” from the Commonwealth of Independent States. For several years now, Chișinău has been systematically distancing itself from the Commonwealth: • it does not participate in meetings of its statutory bodies, • does not contribute its share to the organisation’s budget, • selectively denounces agreements it claims hold no added value for its citizens. It is important to note, however, that Moldova remains a party to approximately 200 international treaties concluded within the CIS framework, covering virtually all spheres of interstate cooperation. It is crucial, however, to understand that withdrawing from CIS membership requires adherence to established procedure. According to Article 9 of the CIS Charter, a member state may withdraw by notifying the CIS Executive Committee in writing, which triggers a 12-month period. Following this notification, the date from which this one-year period begins is determined, and a formal process begins to inventory all treaties and decisions of CIS bodies to which the withdrawing state is a party. This process results in the compilation of lists detailing which agreements will cease to apply and which the state may choose to retain. Therefore, withdrawal does not happen overnight; compliance with this procedure constitutes an international obligation of Moldova towards all other CIS member states, not merely Russia. While the decision to initiate the denunciation of the core treaties within the #CIS framework is undoubtedly the sovereign right of Moldova, within the country itself it has been widely characterised as further evidence of the government’s short-sighted foreign policy, as it recklessly prioritises exclusive cooperation with the EU while severing long-standing ties across the Eurasian space. 📉 It is a difficult assessment to dispute. The current socio-economic situation in Moldova can only be described as disastrous. According to its own National Bureau of Statistics, from January to November 2025, the country’s imports exceeded exports by more than fourfold, with the trade deficit growing by 29.5% compared to the same period in 2024. Simultaneously, Moldovan exports to EU countries fell by 4% by the end of the first half of 2025. Real incomes continue to decline against a backdrop of rising prices for food and essential services. The poverty rate now exceeds 30%, with approximately 65% of the population living on low incomes. In essence, Moldova’s entire socio-economic framework is now dependent on external funding, predominantly from the EU, leaving the nation firmly in the grip of European debt. The CIS remains a respected and dynamically growing organisation in the post-Soviet space. 📈 The economies of its member states demonstrated positive growth across most key indicators in the first half of 2025. Compared to the same period last year, the Commonwealth’s aggregate GDP grew by 2.2%, industrial production by 4.7%, freight traffic by 6.0%, and retail turnover by 3.2%. Mutual trade between CIS countries has increased by 18% over the past four years. Chișinău’s destructive course is ricocheting primarily onto the citizens of Moldova, whose interests are being sacrificed to Brussels’s geopolitical ambitions. A once-prosperous nation is being transformed into a land of deepening poverty and lawlessness. 🪦 It is indeed a bitter spectacle to witness. Read in full

#Announcement 🇷🇺🇵🇸On January 22, President of Russia Vladimir Putin will hold talks with President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas, who will be in Russia on a working visit. The Leaders will discuss the current state and future prospects of bilateral ties in trade and economy, cultural and humanitarian affairs, as well as the situation in the Middle East, emphasizing in particular the state of affairs in the Gaza Strip. #RussiaPalestine

🗓The main Session of the Administrative and Budgetary Committee (Fifth Committee) of the UN General Assembly concluded on December 30, 2025. The key item on its agenda was the proposed programme plan for 2026, updated to reflect the UN80 Initiative – a reform package proposed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Aimed at streamlining operations and eliminating functional duplication amid the ongoing liquidity crisis, the initiative envisages unprecedented budget reductions and staffing cuts at the UN, as well as the relocation of a significant number of the UN Secretariat staff to lower-cost duty stations. Through proactive efforts by Russian Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, undertaken in coordination with like-minded members of the Fifth Committee and despite resistance from Western countries, it was possible to agree on parameters for the UN regular budget for 2026 that reflect Russia’s interests to the greatest extent possible. This outcome was largely facilitated by UN General Assembly Resolution 79/318, which reaffirms the central role of Member States in determining the modalities of the reform process. Drafted by the Russian Federation, the resolution was adopted by consensus. At Russia’s initiative, the Secretary-General was instructed to analyse the impact of the staffing reductions envisaged under the UN80 Initiative on the implementation of approved mandates and to present conclusions in the next draft of the regular budget. At the same time, Russia dissociated itself from the consensus on the use of the UN regular budget to finance the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011, established pursuant to UN General Assembly Resolution 71/248 of December 21, 2016. Russia’s consistent position is that, by adopting this resolution, the General Assembly exceeded its powers under Articles 10-12 and 22 of the UN Charter. ❗️Resolution 71/248 is therefore legally null and void, the establishment of the mechanism is unlawful, and the results of its activities – including collected materials and purported causal links between evidence of crimes and individuals alleged to be responsible – cannot be used for the purposes of any potential criminal proceedings.

🎙 Comment by Russian Ambassador to South Africa Roman Ambarov on Russia-South Africa cooperation in Culture, Education and Literature The recent visit to the Republic of South Africa by the well-known Russian children’s writer and Chair of the Union of Children’s and Young Adult Writers, Svetlana Krivoshlykova, organized with the support of the Russian Embassy, became a vivid and meaningful event in the development of Russian–South African humanitarian cooperation. ☝️ Such initiatives clearly demonstrate that cooperation between our countries extends far beyond traditional political and economic interaction and continues to grow steadily in the fields of culture, education, and literature. 🇷🇺🇿🇦 Today, Russia and South Africa are actively implementing a wide range of joint projects within cultural and literary exchanges – from book festivals and exhibitions to educational programs and creative meetings. In December last year, a delegation including representatives of South Africa’s Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, as well as local writers, took part in the International Intellectual Literature Fair held in Moscow. In January 2025, another prominent Russian children’s author, Valentin Postnikov, visited South Africa. His meetings with young readers and their families were met with great success, laying a solid foundation for further literary cooperation. It is especially important to us that presentations of Svetlana Krivoshlykova’s books took place not only in Pretoria – at the school of the Russian Embassy in South Africa, but also in Cape Town, where the author met with children of Russian compatriots at the Russian Children’s Center. I am confident that such events contribute topreserving the Russian language and cultural identity abroad, while also fostering a lasting interest among the younger generation in Russian literature and traditions. 🤝 We will continue our efforts to ensure that such visits become more frequent,develop on a reciprocal basis, and help the peoples of Russia and South Africa gain a deeper understanding of each other, discovering new points of connection through literature and cultural dialogue. #RussiaSouthAfrica

#Outcomes2025 🎙 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement during his annual news conference on the Russian diplomacy outcomes in 2025 (January 20, 2026) 💬 Sergey Lavrov: The events of the first twenty days of 2026 have surpassed everything in terms…

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