Russian MFA 🇷🇺

🇷🇺🇮🇱📞On January 16, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu had a telephone conversation. They discussed the situation in the Middle East and developments related to Iran. Vladimir Putin outlined Russia’s principled approaches in favour of intensifying political and diplomatic efforts to ensure stability and security in the region. The Russian Side reaffirmed its readiness to continue appropriate mediation efforts and to facilitate the advancement of constructive dialogue involving all interested states. It was agreed to maintain contacts at various levels. #RussiaIsrael

🇷🇺 On January 15 Vladimir Putinreceived the letters of credence from newly appointed ambassadors of foreign nations. The ceremony took place in the St Alexander Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace. The letters of credence were presented to the President of Russia by the representatives of Republic of Slovenia, Federal Republic of Somalia, Gabonese Republic, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, French Republic, Republic of Senegal, Republic of Rwanda, Czech Republic, Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, Portuguese Republic, People's Republic of Bangladesh, Federative Republic of Brazil, Kingdom of Norway, Kingdom of Sweden, Arab Republic of Egypt, Republic of Colombia, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Ghana, Republic of Namibia, Republic of Austria, Republic of Cuba, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Republic of Peru, Oriental Republic of Uruguay, Republic of Lebanon, Swiss Confederation, Republic of Iraq, Italian Republic, and Republic of Maldives. *** Excerpts from President Putin's speech at the ceremony for presenting letters of credence: 💬Vladimir Putin: International cooperation is fundamental to humanity’s sustainable development and prosperity. In today’s diverse and interconnected world, global stability and security depend directly on the ability of states to interact constructively. Open and honest partnerships create the conditions needed to tackle our shared challenges. There is a reason why people say that peace does not come by itself. It must be built, day-by-day, and it is a painstaking process. Achieving peace requires effort, a sense of responsibility and the ability to make deliberate choices. This posture is especially relevant today considering the increasingly deteriorating international environment. Old conflicts are escalating, while new serious hotbeds of tension emerge. At the same time, unilateral and dangerous actions often substitute diplomacy, efforts to come to a compromise or find solutions which would suit everyone. Instead of having states engage in dialogue with one another, there are those relying on the might-makes-right principle to assert their unilateral narratives, those who believe that they can impose their will, lecture others how they must live and issue orders. Dozens of countries across the world have been suffering from the infringement of their sovereign rights, from chaos and lawlessness. They lack the strength and resources to stand up for themselves. Placing a greater emphasis on having all members of the international community respect international law, as well as facilitating the advent of new emerging trends and a fair multipolar world order can be viewed as a reasonable solution. I would like to note that Russia is sincerely committed to the ideals of a multipolar world. Our country has always pursued and will continue to pursue a balanced, constructive foreign policy course that takes into account both our national interests and the objective trends of global development. <...> Russia advocates for strengthening the key, central role of the United Nations in global affairs, the organisation that celebrated its anniversary last year. <...> Security must be truly comprehensive and, therefore, equal and indivisible, and it cannot be ensured for some at the expense of the security of others. This principle is enshrined in fundamental international legal instruments. Disregarding this basic, vital principle has never led to anything good and never will. This has been clearly demonstrated by the crisis around Ukraine, which became a direct consequence of years of ignoring Russia’s legitimate interests and a deliberate policy of creating threats to our security, including the advancement of the NATO bloc towards Russia’s borders – contrary to the public promises made to us. <...> ☝️Russia is always open to building equal and constructive relations with all international partners for the sake of universal prosperity, well-being, and development. Read in full

❗Ambassador Gennady Gatilov’s answer to a question from RIA Novosti and TASS regarding the US withdrawal from a number of international organisations: 📍January 15, 2026, Geneva ❓Question: The United States has recently announced its withdrawal from a range of UN bodies and other international organisations. How would you comment on this decision? 💬Answer: Indeed, on January 7, the Administration of US President Donald Trump decided to cut funding and terminate US participation in a range of Geneva-based international organisations and mechanisms, including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and the Global Forum on Migration and Development. 🔹This decision of the US leadership wasn’t surprising. The published list included bodies in whose work in recent years the United States had either not actively participated or had participated in a selective manner. 🔹It is telling that the Americans chose not to withdraw from the UN Economic Commission for Europe, which develops norms and standards, including in the field of transport, while cooperation with all other UN regional commissions was terminated. It would appear that President Trump's decision is driven primarily by economic considerations, including the interests of American business. 🔹Overall, however, this step can hardly be viewed otherwise than as yet another confirmation of Washington’s policy to the selective approach to UN activities, its disregard for the principles of multilateralism and its refusal to engage with the Global Majority in the interests of sustainable development and pursuit of collective solutions to global challenges.

🔴#LIVE: Ceremony of presenting letters of credence by foreign ambassadors at the Kremlin. Address by President of Russia Vladimir Putin 🔴Kremlin.News 🔴Ruptly

🔴#LIVE: Briefing by Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on topical foreign policy issues 🔴X (ex-Twitter) 🔴Facebook 🔴Ruptly 🔴Russia’s MFA website

⚡️ On January 15, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation summoned the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the United Kingdom in Russia Danae Dholakia and issued a strong protest in connection with information obtained by the competent Russian authorities indicating that one of the diplomatic staff members of the British Embassy is affiliated with the UK’s special services. Danae Dholakia was informed that, in view of this and in accordance with Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, the accreditation of the said individual is being withdrawn. The individual concerned is required to leave the territory of the Russian Federation within two weeks. It was once again emphasized that Moscow will not tolerate the activities of undeclared officers of the British intelligence services on Russian territory. It was noted that Russia’s uncompromising line on this matter will continue to be pursued instrict accordance with the interests of the country’s national security. A warning was also issued that, should London choose to escalate the situation, the Russian Side will deliver a firm, reciprocal response.

🎙 Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's statement regarding another series of terrorist attacks on tankers in the Black Sea (January 14, 2025) 💬 On January 13, oil tankers chartered to transport Kazakh oil to foreign consumers were attacked by Ukrainian drones in the Black Sea near the maritime terminal of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC). We resolutely condemn yet another terrorist attack by the Kiev regime against commercial civilian vessels that were fully complying with all norms of international law. We regard this barbaric assault as further proof that the Kiev authorities not only disregard global energy stability, but also show blatant contempt for the interests of Kazakhstan – a country with which they allegedly seek to develop relations – as well as for those of their American partners, who are the largest shareholders of the CPC. In this regard, we fully understand and share the serious concern expressed over these attacks in the statement by the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan on January 14. ❗️ We fully align ourselves with the view of our allies on the need to take effective measures to ensure the security of hydrocarbon transportation, which, in our view, should bring the criminal Kiev regime to reason. We also support Astana’s stance on the need for joint steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

🎙Statement by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at a joint press conference with Minister of International Relations and Trade of the Republic of Namibia Selma Ashipala-Musavyi (January 14, 2026, Moscow) Read in full 💬Sergey Lavrov: We reaffirmed that the friendly ties between Moscow and Windhoek are developing steadily and rest on the principles traditional for our relations – equality, solidarity, mutual respect and support. We highly value the fact that our Namibian friends remember well the assistance provided by the Soviet Union during the struggle against colonialism and in laying the foundations of statehood. We welcomed the intention of Namibia’s new leadership, personally President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, to deepen ties with Russia. We spoke in favour of expanding dialogue, including at the highest and high levels. We are certainly interested in resuming the practice of regular foreign-policy consultations. 🤝 We highly assessed inter-party cooperation. In February 2024, the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) supported the initiative of the political party United Russia to establish the Forum of Supporters of the Fight against Modern Practices of Neocolonialism. By decision of the UN General Assembly, December 14 each year will be marked as the International Day against Colonialism in All Its Forms and Manifestations. We consider this a fundamentally important decision, as after African friends gained political independence, economic dependence on the West persisted. In recent years, we have even observed this dependence deepening. Therefore, what we call the “second awakening of Africa” is a highly relevant issue on the international agenda. 📈 We agreed to make additional efforts to intensify trade and economic cooperation. Another area with clear prospects and solid groundwork already in place is healthcare. Training of personnel has traditionally been an integral part of our cooperation. Many thousands of Namibians have received education in Russia or the USSR. This practice continues today. Tourism is another sphere with evident potential. We reaffirmed our readiness to continue assisting our Namibian friends on international platforms, including through the provision of humanitarian assistance via the UN World Food Programme. We share a common view on the success of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, established at the initiative of the heads of state of Russia and African countries, and note identical or very close positions on most, if not all, items of the international and regional agenda. We underscored the need to improve the UN’s working methods, including the Security Council refor. We consistently support Africa’s fair demands to increase its representation in the Security Council. We expressed gratitude to our Namibian friends forsupporting all initiatives promoted by Russia at the UN, including those of particular importance in today’s international environment – the inadmissibility of the glorification of Nazism, countering neocolonial practices, cooperation in information security, ensuring the peaceful use of outer space, as well as disarmament initiatives. Special attention was paid to African issues, including the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and developments in the Saharo-Sahel region. 🌍 We consistently advance the concept that solutions to African problems should be sought by African countries themselves. External actors must respect the approaches developed by Africans and provide possible assistance in their practical implementation. #RussiaNamibia

🏛Russia's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO: 💬 Russia is actively developing cooperation with African states, including in areas within the remit of #UNESCO. At the Second Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum (December 19-20, 2025), a Joint Statement was adopted confirming the strategic level of Russia-Africa cooperation. The document includes provisions on cooperation in education, culture, sport, youth policy and the media, in particular: Implementation of projects in the field of education, including the gradual increase in Russia’s state scholarship quotas for citizens of African countries to study at Russian universities, as well as professional development programmes in priority specialisations for African partners – technical and scientific fields; The importance of creating additional opportunities to study the Russian language in African countries, as well as developing African studies in Russia, in order to strengthen mutual understanding between states and peoples; Dynamic development of cultural exchanges and cooperation between Russia and African countries; Cooperation in the field of sport and related activities, including anti-doping efforts, exchange of expertise, and the organisation of joint competitions. 👉Read the full statement

🇷🇺🇧🇷📞 President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvahad a telephone conversation(January 14, 2026) The Leaders exchanged views on pressing international issues, with a focus on the situation surrounding Venezuela. They underscored the convergence of the principled stances of Russia and Brazil regarding the safeguarding of the state sovereignty and national interests of the Bolivarian Republic. The Presidents agreed to continue coordinating efforts, including within the framework of the #UN and #BRICS, in the interests of de-escalating tensions in Latin America and other regions of the world. In the context of the forthcoming meeting of the Russian-Brazilian High-Level Commission scheduled for February 2026, the Leaders held an in-depth discussion on further advancing bilateral cooperation across a wide range of areas. #RussiaBrazil

✉️ President of Russia Vladimir Putin has extended his condolences to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua of Thailand: ✍️ Your Majesty, Please accept my deepest condolences over the tragic consequences of the railway disaster in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. I ask to convey my sincere sympathy and support to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, as well as my wishes for a swift recovery to all those injured. Respectfully, VLADIMIR PUTIN

🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’sopening remarks during talks with Minister of International Relations and Trade of the Republic of Namibia Selma Ashipala-Musavyi(Moscow, January 14, 2026) 💬Sergey Lavrov: Ms Minister, Dear Selma, Colleagues, Friends, We are glad to welcome you in Moscow. We arranged this visit, when we were meeting in Cairo on the sidelines of the Second Ministerial Conference of the #RussiaAfrica Partnership Forum in December 2025. Now we are acting on this agreement. We appreciate the rich history and traditions of friendship in relations with your country, starting with the period, when the Soviet Union was helping you to gain independence and lay down the foundations of your statehood. March 2025 marked 35 years since the Namibian people won independence. President of Russia Vladimir Putin sent a message of greetings to President of Namibia Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on the occasion of this anniversary. We see solidarity with regard to Russia and a shared sympathy, as well as the intention on the part of our peoples and governments to promote political dialogue, economic cooperation, and humanitarian contacts. As you and I discussed in Cairo, we will be happy to receive President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in the Russian Federation. We noted that all previous presidents of your country had visited Moscow. Today, there is a good pretext for discussing in detail the state of our bilateral relations and mapping out ways for their expansion, particularly in the economy, trade, and investment, as well as for comparing notes on regional African problems. There are quite a few of these, and Namibia is pro-active in settling them. We will also discuss issues related to the activities of the United Nations and other global organisations. You are welcome once again. We are glad to see you. #RussiaNamibia