Russian MFA 🇷🇺

🇷🇺🇰🇿 On April 30 in Astana, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovwas received by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The Sides praised the consistent development of Russia-Kazakhstan relations of comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance, including large-scale trade, economic and investment cooperation, close and effective coordination within Eurasian integration associations, as well as identical or similar positions on major regional and international issues. They reaffirmed their mutual commitment to further active joint work to advance the entire range of bilateral ties, including deeper interstate dialogue at the highest and high levels. *** Sergey Lavrovheld talks with Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev. 👉Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks The Foreign Ministers had a substantive discussion on a wide range of issues related to expanding Russia-Kazakhstan relations in the political, trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian, educational and other spheres. They reviewed the progress in implementing key agreements reached by the Leaders of the two countries. The Ministers paid special attention to cooperation within common integration associations in the Eurasian space – the #EAEU, #CSTO, #CIS and #SCO – as well as the International Organisation for the Russian Language, recently established at Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's initiative, and other multilateral platforms, primarily the UN. The Sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening trust-based political dialogue and promptly coordinating positions on key regional and international issues. During the talks, Minister Lavrov briefed the Kazakhstani Side in detail on Russia’s approaches to resolving the crisis around Ukraine. ✍️The Action Plan for Cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2027-2028 was signed. 👉Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at the joint news conference following the talks The talks were held in a traditionally warm and friendly atmosphere. #RussiaKazakhstan

🎙Remarks by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev(Astana, 30 April 2026) 💬Sergey Lavrov: I would like to thank our Kazakhstani friends for their traditionally warm welcome, hospitality and excellent organisation of the work. Yermek Kosherbayev and I held extensive talks. As always, they took place in a friendly and trust-based atmosphere and proved useful. Today, we thoroughly reviewed the current state and prospects of our multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation. We paid particular attention to implementing the agreements reached by our Leaders, including those following President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s state visit to Russia in November 2025. We discussed the schedule of upcoming contacts at the highest, high and other levels, primarily the planned state visit of President Vladimir Putin to the Republic of Kazakhstan. ☝️We also highly value the close cooperation between our Foreign Ministries. We share the view that the Inter-MFA Cooperation Plan for 2027-2028, just signed in your presence, will help further strengthen this interaction. We also discussed key regional and international issues in a spirit of friendship and alliance. We highly value our cooperation within integration mechanisms – the #EAEU, #CSTO, #CIS and #SCO. In our common view, this cooperation remains an important factor in ensuring security and stable conditions for sustainable development across the entire Eurasian space. In this context, we are interested in further advancing Kazakhstan’s initiative within the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia. Another important area of joint work is the Caspian Sea. We are compelled to state that the unprovoked armed aggression by the US and Israel against Iran has had the most negative impact on the Caspian Sea and its coastline, which must remain a zone of peace and cooperation. The strike by the anti-Iranian coalition on March 18 against the infrastructure of the Anzali seaport – which serves the trade and logistics interests of all five Caspian littoral states – was inadmissible and unacceptable. Speaking of the Middle East, we believe it is important not to lose sight of developments in Lebanon and, especially, the deadlock over the establishment of a Palestinian State, which currently shows no clear way forward. We also touched upon the situation in and around Ukraine. We are grateful to our Kazakhstani partners for their understanding and balanced assessment of the developments there. We know that these assessments are regularly voiced at various international events, including by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The key point remains that a just and lasting settlement is impossible without addressing the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis. We remain interested in resuming the negotiating process on the basis of the existing Russian-US understandings. Yesterday, during a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump, President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed this position. We expect the understandings reached in Alaska to be implemented. 🤝 I believe we can express mutual satisfaction with the results of today’s conversation. We will continue to maintain the closest possible contacts going forward. Read in full #RussiaKazakhstan

🇷🇺🇰🇿Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during talks with Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev (Astana, 30 April 2026) 💬Sergey Lavrov: Kazakhstan and Russia are closest neighbours and allies. Our peoples are bound by centuries-old traditions offriendship and mutual respect. These relations are enshrined in numerous interstate documents. One of the most important dimensions of the quality of our relations is our shared memory of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. We always mark the anniversary of the Great Victory together, holding special events both in Kazakhstan and in Russia. There is no doubt that, in the current conditions, this memory has not only historical significance, but also a very practical dimension, given the persistent line of a number of European states to revive Nazism in new forms, including by once again setting the peoples of Europe against our country. ☝️Once, they targeted our common state. Today, Russia is the main target – but the essence has not changed. Russia-Kazakhstan relations are highly intensive, multidimensional and comprehensive. Most importantly, they contribute to maintaining stability across the common Eurasian space. Today, our interstate dialogue spans virtually every area, underpinned by the maturity, stability and steady development of Kazakhstan’s statehood. In our practical work on the bilateral track, we are guided by the instructions of our Leaders, who maintain regular close contact, meeting in person and speaking by phone, to discuss current aspects of cooperation and the increasingly complex international situation. 🤝Russia and Kazakhstan maintain extensive economic ties – we are key trade and investment partners. We maintain positive dynamics in these areas and note the growing non-resource component of export-import operations, while the lion’s share of settlements is carried out in national currencies and without intermediaries. We are developing privileged partnership in transport and energy, with particular emphasis on peaceful nuclear energy. We are committed to continuing constructive engagement on the international stage, primarily within the #EAEU, #CSTO, #CIS and #SCO. In our conversations and talks, we also touch upon the #UN. We have matching assessments of the difficult processes unfolding in that organisation. In particular, we paid close attention to the assessments of the UN’s activities recently set out by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his remarks at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye. We are ready to exchange views on the situation in Central Asia, which is of common interest to us. We also expect to continue discussing developments in the broader Eurasian context. Read in full #RussiaKazakhstan

🇺🇳#UNCharterIsOurRules 🌐 International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace was observed on April 24. It was established by UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/73/127 on December 12, 2018, in order to promote the UN values and to reaffirm the belief of our peoples in the purposes and principles enshrined in its Charter: “The International Day constitutes a means to promote the values of the United Nations and to reaffirm the faith of our peoples in the purposes and principles enshrined in its Charter, to reaffirm the importance and relevance of multilateralism and international law and to advance the common goal of lasting and sustained peace through diplomacy.” Russia has consistently supported multilateralism and the leading role of the UN in world affairs, actively participating in efforts to reform and adapt the UN to new international realities. This is especially relevant today, when the UN and other multilateral institutions have come under unprecedented pressure from a small group of states, and the standing of the World Organisation has been noticeably down, including due to the Secretariat refusing to adhere to the equidistance principle. The collective West keeps attempting to subordinate the Organisation to its narrow self-interests and to impose the controversial concept of a rules-based world order to replace international law. 💬 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov(excerpt from a speech on February 11, 2026): At the UN platform, in conjunction with our like-minded partners in the Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter, we are working to ensure that the principles enshrined in the UN Charter are observed in their full scope, entirety, and interconnection, rather than selectively, as the West prefers. The UN is going through rough times and is bearing the brunt of profound differences between the world’s leading powers. Nevertheless, the Organisation’s role as a platform for aligning states’ interests is undeniable. According to the Foreign Policy Concept, Russia prioritises restoring the UN’s role as the central coordinating mechanism for aligning the interests of member states. Our country contributes to the formation of a more representative, democratic, fair, and multipolar world order with the central coordinating role of the UN, based on respect for cultural diversity, mutually beneficial and equal cooperation among countries. 📄 Excerpt from the Concept: “The mechanism for shaping universal international legal standards should be based on the free will of sovereign states, and the UN should remain the main venue for progressive development and codification of international law.” Our shared responsibility is to preserve the UN as a model of multilateralism and coordination in global politics. The path to this end lies through joint work, rejection of claims to any form of exclusivity, and respect for the sovereign equality of states. At the same time, an important task includes strengthening the potential of multilateral regional associations and integration entities involving Russia, including enhancing the international role of #BRICS, #SCO, #CIS, #EAEU, #CSTO, #RIC, and other interstate associations and international organisations.

🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement at a meeting of the Council of the #CSTO Parliamentary Assembly (Moscow, April 20, 2026) 💬 On January 1, 2026, Russia assumed the chairmanship of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation. Our tenure proceeds under the motto, Collective Security in a Multipolar World: Common Goal, Shared Responsibility. In collaboration with our allies within the CSTO, we are intensifying efforts to uphold shared approaches to resolving international security issues. Much has already been articulated on this subject today. The foundational documents of the Organisation – and I wish to underscore this with particular emphasis – enshrine the principles of peaceful coexistence among states, the primacy of political and diplomatic methods of resolution, and adherence to the norms of international law, with the United Nations playing a central role. I consider it of fundamental importance that, in the current period, as the West resorts more frequently and extensively to illegitimate use of force, neocolonial methods of diktat, and outright plunder, the CSTO countries are neither altering nor revising the aforementioned goals of their activities. We will not deviate from the universal norms of international law. On the contrary, we will counter attempts to undermine them and oppose efforts to impose lawlessness in global affairs, whilst upholding the universal norms of international law, above all the sovereign equality of states, as enshrined in the UN Charter. <...> The Collective Security Treaty Organisation has established itself as an authoritative association of allied states whose activities are not directed against anyone, contain no aggressive aspirations, and are built exclusively in the interests of maintaining regional stability and the well-being of its member countries. <...> Russia maintains continuity in advancing the principal vectors of our collaboration within the CSTO. We continue our work to implement the initiatives of the preceding chairmanship – that of the Kyrgyz Republic. Our goal is to preserve the truth concerning our common struggle to liberate the world from Nazism and to perpetuate the heroic feat of the Soviet people, who defended the independence of their native land and liberated Europe and the world from the brown plague. <...> We are continuing our course towards expanding our Organisation’s contacts with the Eurasian countries. Security in this geopolitical area and close interaction with integration associations within our shared space matters a lot to us. Anyone who has been closely following recent developments is aware that threats in Eurasia are significantly up which requires us to make additional efforts. <...> We must work with our closest neighbours and partners from the #CIS and the #SCO. The SCO has a substantial programme aimed at strengthening stability and security. Recently, the secretaries-general of the CSTO, the CIS, and the SCO approved a roadmap that provides for, among other things, holding joint conferences on security issues in Central Asia and Afghanistan in Moscow. <...> We attach great importance to strengthening the Organisation’s military component. The programme of our chairmanship which was presented by President Putin places emphasis on increasing the combat potential of the CSTO’s collective forces and equipping them with modern and interoperable weapons and military equipment. <...> We will pay special attention to the Organisation’s peacekeeping forces, including refining the regulatory framework governing CSTO participation in UN peacekeeping operations. <...> We are likewise focusing on strengthening cooperation in international information security. We intend to expand the toolset for jointly countering international terrorism and extremism, combatting terrorism financing, money laundering, drug trafficking, transnational organised crime, and illegal migration. Read in full

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks during the 9th Ministerial Meeting of Russia and Central Asia (Moscow, April 17, 2026) 💬Sergey Lavrov: I am pleased to welcome you to Moscow. We began our joint work yesterday at the CIS Foreign Ministers Council, and today we are holding the ninth meeting of Foreign Ministers of Russia and Central Asia. This in itself underscores the relevance of this six-party dialogue mechanism. In our view, it is developing successfully and dynamically, to the benefit of all participants. In October 2025, the Second Russia – Central Asia Summit was held in the welcoming city of Dushanbe. During the summit, our leaders approved a Joint Action Plan for 2025-2027 and put forward a number of important initiatives. Our task now is to translate these decisions into concrete steps. The Action Plan serves as a framework document, outlining the key areas of our cooperation: trade, economic and investment ties, transport, energy, healthcare, environmental protection, security, cultural and humanitarian engagement, and migration. Specific projects and initiatives are currently being developed within the six-party working groups established by the relevant agencies of Russia and your countries. As we noted today during the #CIS meeting, our relations are grounded in equality, mutual respect, and careful consideration of each other’s interests. They truly deserve the highest recognition as an example of a modern and forward-looking model of international partnership. Our leaders maintain close and regular communication, both bilaterally and within integration frameworks such as the #CIS, the #EAEU, the #CSTO, and the #SCO. Active contacts are also sustained among heads of government, deputy prime ministers, and the leadership of parliaments, ministries, and agencies. Despite the current geopolitical turbulence – which we examined in detail during today’s CIS meetings – we have succeeded in maintaining a consistently high level of trade turnover. In 2025, it continued to grow, approaching the $50 billion mark. As I have already noted, cultural and humanitarian cooperation continues to develop. Through our joint efforts, and at the initiative of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev,the International Organisation of the Russian Language was established. The Russian language remains a key means of communication not only between Russia and the Central Asian states, but also among the peoples of the broader post-Soviet space. Our approaches to international issues are closely aligned and, in most cases, coincide. We greatly appreciatethat, despite unprecedented external pressure, the Central Asian countries remain committed to their allied obligations, thereby contributing to the dynamic development of our friendly and mutually beneficial relations, both bilaterally and within multilateral frameworks, including the Russia – Central Asia mechanism. I hope that today we will be able to make a tangible contribution to the implementation of the decisions adopted at the second Russia – Central Asia Summit in Dushanbe.

🎙Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at a joint press conference with CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev following the meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers(April 17, 2026, Moscow) 💬Sergey Lavrov: Today's meeting was held in the traditionally warm and friendly atmosphere. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my colleagues for a substantive, frank and focused exchange of views. We noted with satisfaction that the Plan of Inter-MFA Consultations within the CIS was successfully implemented in 2025. This remains a traditional instrument for coordinating our foreign policy activities. This work will continue in 2026 as well. We discussed current international issues. Naturally, particular attention was paid to various aspects of the unprecedented escalation of tensions in the Persian Gulf, triggered by the military aggression of the US and Israel against Iran. The seven CIS foreign Ministers adopteda special statement on this matter, which will be circulated. It was noted that the crisis created in the Persian Gulf, which has, de facto, engulfed the entire Middle East, is fundamentally reshaping broader trends across the Eurasian continent, including with regard to approaches to ensuring the security of countries in various Eurasian subregions and, of course, to the reliability and security of routes for the delivery of energy supplies, food and fertilisers. All of this will have to be rethought as we continue to develop our common concept for advancing the Greater Eurasian Partnership with the participation of the #CIS, the #SCO, #ASEAN and other integration associations. In the context of shaping our shared approach, together with our Belarusian friends we have begun promoting this idea – a concept for building a security architecture across the Eurasian continent. It is clear that many countries across Eurasia are now reassessing and rethinking the arrangements on which their economic interests, development prospects and security interests have long rested. I would like highlight the task of stepping up efforts to consolidate our work in the interests of the sustainable development of all CIS countries, safeguarding their interests, their security interests and, more broadly, their foreign policy interests on the international stage. ☝️We also agreed – and I consider this especially important – to continue working to preserve the historical truth about the Second World War and the Great Patriotic War, and to devote special attention to educating young people in the CIS countries in a spirit of respect for the great collective feat accomplished by all the peoples of the USSR. Read full

🇷🇺🇹🇲April 8 marks 3️⃣4️⃣ years of diplomatic relations between Russia and Turkmenistan. The dialogue between Moscow and Ashgabat, which was given the status of a strategic partnership in 2017, is intense and based on the solid foundation of shared history, good-neighbourliness, mutual trust and respect for each other’s interests. The special nature of bilateral cooperation is enshrined in the Declaration on Deepening Strategic Partnership, which the Presidents of Russia and Turkmenistan signed in Moscow in the summer of 2022. The Document serves as a cornerstone for deepening ties across a broad range of areas including trade, energy, transport, digital technologies, education, culture, and information and biological security. Our countries maintain political dialogue at the high and highest levels, and exchange views on international and regional issues. Russia respects Turkmenistan’s neutral status, which is a vital factor of global stability and geopolitical balance. In 2025, Ashgabat marked the 3️⃣0️⃣th anniversary of its permanent neutrality, which has been recognised three times by the #UNGA resolutions. 🤝 On June 24-25, 2025, Russia's Foreign Minister SergeyLavrovpaid an official visit to Turkmenistan, where he was received by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and held substantive talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov. The negotiations were followed by the the signing of the Programme for Cooperation between Foreign Ministries of Russia and Turkmenistan for 2025-2026. 🎙 Excerpt from SergeyLavrov’s remarks and answers to questions during a meeting with employees of the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan and faculty and students of the Institute of International Relations (Ashgabat, June 25, 2025): Russia-Turkmenistan cooperation can serve as a compelling example of relations between countries in a #MultipolarWorld, where the global balance continues to shift due to the strengthening of power centres beyond the historical West. <...> ✍️ From the article by Russian Ambassador to Turkmenistan IvanVolynkin"Pursuing the Deepening Strategic Partnership",published in the newspaper Neutral Turkmenistan, for the 3️⃣4️⃣th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries (April 8, 2026): Moscow highly appreciates Ashgabat’s consistent diplomatic efforts to promote peace and stability in Central Asia and the Caspian region. One can say with certainty that Turkmenistan has a solid reputation as a respected platform for international meetings and talks that result in the adoption of important strategic initiatives. 📈 Russia is a leading trade and economic partner ofTurkmenistan.Over the past three years, Russia delivered to Turkmenistan goods and products worth of over $1.5 billion. Russian corporations, such as Gazprom, Tatneft, KAMAZ, the Vozrozhdenie Design and ConstructionGroup, and other economic entities, operate successfully in Turkmenistan. Our countries maintain close coordination across the main international and regional platforms, including the #CIS, the #UN, the Caspian Five, and in the Central Asia-Russia format. Moscow welcomes Ashgabat’s participation in the events held by #BRICS. 🌟 In Turkmenistan, our common history and the sacred memory of the heroism of our people during #WWII, is cherished. After Nazi Germany treacherously attacked our Motherland in 1941, 3'000 volunteers from the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic joined the Red Army, with hundreds of thousands fighting against Nazi invaders during the Great Patriotic War. In May 2025, our countries jointly celebrated the 8️⃣0️⃣th anniversary of the Great Victory. Russia appreciated the fact that President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov attended the Victory Parade on Red Square in Moscow. An army unit from Turkmenistan took part in the parade to respect the memory of our combat brotherhood in #WW2. 🎉 We extend our cordial congratulations to our friends and colleagues in Turkmenistan on our shared anniversary, wish them prosperity and success! #RussiaTurkmenistan

🇷🇺🇹🇯 On April 8, 1992 – 3️⃣4️⃣ years ago – diplomatic relations were established between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan. 📃 Since then, our two countries have signed over 200 interstate treaties and agreements covering various fields of bilateral cooperation. The cornerstone documents are the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan of May 25, 1993, and the Treaty on Allied Interaction between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan oriented towards the 21st Century of April 16, 1999. 🤝 Russia and Tajikistan maintain an active political dialogue. The strategic nature of Russian-Tajikistani cooperation is underscored by numerous meetings at the highest and high levels. In October 2025, President Vladimir Putin paid a state visit to Tajikistan. This resulted in the signing of several bilateral documents, including the approval of a joint action plan to increase trade turnover 2.5-fold by 2030. The Leaders met again on December 22 in St Petersburg on the sidelines of the informal summit of CIS heads of state. 📈Russia remains one of Tajikistan’s key trade and economic partners. By the end of 2025, bilateral trade had grown by 24.8 percent, reaching approximately $2.5 billion. For several years running, Russia has held a leading position in terms of direct investment in the republic’s economy. Bilateral cooperation in countering terrorist threats, as well as in the migration, humanitarian, and educational spheres, continues to flourish. In this context, mechanisms for interaction between relevant ministries and agencies are constantly being refined. Our countries also work together effectively within the #CIS, the #CSTO and the #SCO, as well as other integration frameworks. 🎊 We extend our congratulations to our Tajikistani friends and colleagues on this shared anniversary! #RussiaTajikistan

📄Article by Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of International Organisations Kirill Logvinov for TASS News Agency(April 4, 2026) 🇺🇳 The United Nations Must Cast Off Western Shackles Read in full Despite the geopolitical turbulence in international affairs, the key foreign policy event of 2026 – the appointment of a new UN Secretary-General – has long been set in motion. The outcome of the candidate selection process will be of critical importance to the international community. Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, takes this matter with the utmost seriousness, since there is now a real opportunity to help restore order within the UN in line with the letter of its Charter. Today, by and large, the UN has one central problem – the dominance of Westerners in its Secretariat under the leadership of Antonio Guterres. Serving the interests of all Member States on the basis of the principle of sovereign equality has been replaced by the promotion of the approaches of the Western minority, whose representatives have entrenched themselves in key UN posts and act on instructions from their capitals. Lately, UN officials, operating with excessive autonomy and too little accountability, have drifted ever further away from Member States, ignoring their concerns. Other key points: • UN staff have often had a neoliberal discourse imposed on them – one that fails to take into account the cultural and civilisational diversity of today’s world. As a result, instead of advancing unifying ideas, the Secretariat has contributed to the emergence of new dividing lines. • The Westerners will not voluntarily relinquish the levers of influence they have acquired in violation of the principle of fair geographical representation. Any future representative of an EU or NATO member state – or anyone holding “dual” Western citizenship – who ends up in the chair of the UN Secretary-General will simply be guided by the principles of “ideological fraternity” and “bloc solidarity”. • At this stage, Russia has no preferred candidate. This is primarily because the nomination process is still ongoing. What matters is to convey Russia’s principled positions regarding the future Secretary-General’s work to those already in the running, as well as to future contenders. In this context, we remain in close coordination with our Chinese partners. • We are explaining to other countries – including in the #CIS and #BRICS formats – the logic behind our requirements for candidates. The task is to build a broad front of like-minded states from the Global Majority that understand that restoring the UN’s role as the key mechanism of multilateral diplomacy, and effectively adapting the World Organisation to shifting geopolitical realities, is impossible without a “major overhaul” of its Secretariat. • All UN officials must be committed to the goals and principles of the Organisation’s Charter. Comments along the lines of “Greenland is one thing, Crimea is another” are unacceptable. • In conflict situations, the UN Secretary-General must maintain an equidistant position. Only such an approach can rule out the application of “double standards”, which, regrettably, are evident at virtually every level of the World Organisation – most clearly in the contexts of Gaza and Ukraine. • The UN needs a conscientious head of the Secretariat who understands both the scope and the limits of the mandate vested in that office by the decisions of Member States. The UN Charter must remain the guiding point of reference. • Restoring the UN’s ability to function effectively is impossible without reforming its Secretariat, provided that the future Secretary-General has the necessary political will. #RussiaUnitedNations#UNCharterIsOurRules

🇺🇳On March 28, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific marks its 7️⃣9️⃣th anniversary The decision to establish #ESCAP was taken at the 4th session of the UN Economic and Social Council in 1947, to ficilitate socio-economic development of the countries of the Asia Pacific Region. 🇷🇺Russia has been a member of the Commission since its establishment. Our country views ESCAP as a unique dialogue platform to help the states implement the UN 2030 Agenda and is using the Commission’s capacities to promote Russian approaches and developments in the regional cooperation agenda. With Russia's expert and financial involvement ESCAP developed and adopted a number of significant international legal documents: the 2013 ESCAP Intergovernmental Agreement on Dry Ports of international importance, the 2016 ESCAP Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific, and the 2016 trilateral (Russia-Mongolia-China) Intergovernmental Agreement on the Asian Highway Network. Our country is among ESCAP’s major donors. Russian financial support has helped to implement over70 various technical assistance projects worth $18.4 million across all key sectors within the ESCAP mandate: energy, transport, trade, development finance and social issues, environment and sustainable development, information and communication technologies, etc. The geographical priority of such projects is the #CIS nations. The execution of these initiatives has made a significant contribution to strengthening the socio-economic potential of the recipient countries. 🤝Russia appreciates the Secretariat’s efforts inrendering assistance to the Asian-Pacific states and developing the formats of regional and subregional cooperation. Our country is going tosupport this activity both through its expert and analytical input in the implementation of the ESCAP work programme and through its voluntary payment to the Commission’s budget and thereby funded technical assistance projects for friendly countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

🎙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