Russian Consulate in Cape Town

🇷🇺🇲🇲Statement by President of Russia Vladimir Putin following Russian-Myanmar talks (March 4, 2025) 💬President Putin: Our countries are bound by truly strong bonds of friendship, traditions of support, and mutual assistance. All of this was once again clearly confirmed during the substantive and constructive negotiations that we held with Mr. Min Aung Hlaing. <...> The new Joint Statement reaffirms the key principles of Russian-Myanmar partnership. 📈 This includes further deepening cooperation in trade and investment. By the end of last year, trade had increased by approximately 40%, reaching nearly $2 billion. We are ready to work on expanding mutually beneficial trade. Credit and financial cooperation is also taking shape. The intergovernmental commission is working actively, with its latest session held recently in the capital of Myanmar. Energy constitutes a strategic area of bilateral cooperation, with Russia reliably supplying the Republic with essential energy resources. Last year, over 90% of oil on the Myanmar market originated from our country. We are exploring opportunities for cooperation in the energy sector across other avenues, including the use of renewable energy sources. The intergovernmental agreement on the construction of a low-capacity nuclear power plant, signed earlier today, paves the way for providing Myanmar’s economy with affordable and environmentally friendly energy. This will serve as a strong impetus for further economic growth, the creation of thousands of new jobs, and the development of highly skilled national personnel. Joint projects are also being implemented in industry and advanced technologies. With Russia’s assistance, a ground-based earth remote sensing complex has been launched in the Republic. Mr Min Aung Hlaing plans to visit the Progress Rocket Space Centre in Samara, where he will have the opportunity to learn about the achievements of Russian cosmonautics. Cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere is similarly dynamic. Plans include the opening of a Russian Cultural Centre in Myanmar and the construction of the country’s first Orthodox church. In turn, two Myanmar cultural and religious centres are already operational in Russia. <...> 🇷🇺Mr. Min Aung Hlaing has been invited to participate in the celebrations marking the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War on May 9. Pursuant to existing agreements, a contingent of Myanmar’s Armed Forces will join Russian military personnel in the ceremonial parade on Red Square. During the negotiations, current international issues were also addressed. The positions of Russia and Myanmar on many of these matters are virtually identical or very close. We coordinate efforts on key multilateral platforms and advocate for the peaceful and sustainable development of the Asia-Pacific region. Russia and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar are actively engaged in security cooperation as partners. Read in full #RussiaMyanmar

🎙Excerpts from Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview to ‘Krasnaya Zvezda’ media holding (March 2, 2025) 💬Sergey Lavrov: As far back as 2007, at the Munich Security Conference, President of Russia Vladimir Putinwarned that while we were working with NATO, the European Union, and the G7 (as a member of the G8 at the time), we should not be mistaken for naïve or unaware. If we are to be treated as equals, then let us work as equals. <…> Until the very last moment, we gave them a chance to avoid an open conflict. 👉 In December 2021, we told them plainly: You are stalling on the Minsk Agreements and creating security threats to us. Let’s sign a European security treaty that ensures stability without dragging anyone into NATO. They ignored us. Key talking points: • We will never think alike [with USA] regarding every issue of global politics, and this was acknowledged by both Sides in Riyadh, including the Americans. Where our interests align, common sense dictates that it would be unwise not to translate that into practical actions for mutual benefit. • I do not want to be anti-European. But the current situation corroborates the idea expressed by many historians. Over the past 500 years – when the West more or less took shape as we know it today, with certain modifications, naturally – all tragedies in the world originated in Europe or occurred owing to European policies. The colonisation, wars, the Crusaders, the Crimean War, Napoleon, World War I, Hitler. • The plan to introduce peacekeepers to Ukraine is simply a continuation of provoking the Kiev regime into war with us. • The UN Charter should be left alone. It remains up-to-date and should only be respected and fulfilled. They should not say that, when Kosovo declared its independence without any referendum, this amounts to the right to self-determination, and when Crimea conducted a transparent referendum involving hundreds of European observers, MPs and public activists, this violated the principle of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. ☝️ Hypocrisy, cynicism, and double standards — that us what we have to face. Read in full

#KievRegimeCrimes 📑Excerpts from the annual report on the crimes committed by the Kiev regime in 2024, prepared by Foreign Ministry's Ambassador-at-Large on the crimes committed by the Kiev regime, Rodion Miroshnik(presented on January 28, 2025) *** Among the Kiev regime’s repulsive strategies is the policy to prevent the disclosure of 'inconvenient' information, i.e. the truth about the actual situation on the engagment line, while disseminating disinformation, including about fake “violations of international humanitarian law” of the Russian forces, which time and time again are revealed to be either staged provocations or hoaxes altogether. ❗️ A direct consequence of this approach is the undeclared hunt for Russian journalists by Ukrainian militants, who target media representatives to prevent them reporting the truth from the frontlines. The overwhelming majority of strikes by Ukrainian armed formations (AFU) at camera crews came after deliberate tracking and pursuit of media workers in the frontline zone. To attack journalists, Kiev regime’s militants often use strike drones. In 2024, according to the Russian Union of Journalists, four media representatives were killed by AFU. Many journalists have been attacked, injured or maimed. <...> KIEV REGIME VICTIMS AMONG JOURNALISTSIN 2024 ▪️ April 9, 2024, the town of Kremennaya, the Lugansk People's Republic. A camera crew of the Lugansk Television and Radio Broadcasting Company came under AFU artillery fire. Cameraman Denis Shum was injured. Journalist Artem Yundas received a concussion. ▪️ June 13, 2024, Gorlovka, the Donetsk People's Republic. An NTV camera crew got under a targeted barrel artillery strike by AFU. As the result of the shelling, journalist Alexey Ivliyev and cameraman Valery Kozhin were seriously wounded. Valery Kozhin did not survive — he passed away in hospital. ▪️ June 16, 2024, Ugledar, the Donetsk People's Republic. The News.ruwar correspondent and photojournalist Nikita Tsitsagi was killed while performing his professional duty. Ukrainian drone operators tracked down the Russian camera crew, and targeted it with an unmanned aerial vehicle. ▪️ 7 August, 2024, Sudzha, the Kursk Region. Yevgeny Poddubny, war correspondent of Rossiya 1 TV channel, was attacked by a Ukrainian FPV drone, while driving down the Kursk-Sudzha highway. The journalist who was performing his professional duty suffered“severe burns, craniocerebral trauma and facial skeletal injury.” ▪️ November 17, 2024, the Bolshesoldatsky district, the Kursk Region. A team of journalists of a local newspaper, 'Narodnaya Gazeta' (The People’s Newspaper), was attacked while being in a civilian car by the Kiev regime’s militants with an FPV-drone. 2 passengers sustained injury of varying severity. Yuliya Kuznetsova, the paper's Editor-in-Chief, died on the spot. She was 34 and had 2 young children. *** The word ‘PRESS’ on the clothing or equipment of journalists, that used to be considered at least a relative defence against targeted strikes, today only invites the attacks of Ukrainian militants. 📖Read the 2024 report in full (pdf)

🎙 Interview by Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia Alexander Bastrykin, to TASS News Agency (March 3, 2025) Key talking points: • Since 2014, the Investigative Committee has initiated 6'500 criminal cases related to crimes against peace and security of humanity, as well offensives against individuals and property. Most of the criminal cases under investigation involve shelling of civilians and civilian infrastructure by the Kiev regime, though evidence of other crimes of varying severity have been established as well. • A total of 918 individuals are being held criminally liable in these cases, including members of the high command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and commanders of military units that have been targeting civilians. • The investigation of 423 criminal cases against 566 Ukrainian servicemen and mercenaries has been completed. Evidence has been gathered of their involvement in using prohibited warfare methods, cruel treatment of prisoners of war and civilians, and murder and damage to property. Sentences have been handed down to 519 individuals, among them 145 members of the banned Azov regiment (designated as a terrorist organisation in Russia). Life sentences have been imposed on 62 individuals. • Since February 2022, the investigative bodies have opened 5'031 criminal cases against servicemen of Ukraine's armed formations which represent 80% of all ongoing cases. • The evidence indicates that, beyond following orders from higher-ranking officials, motives for these crimes include political and ethnic hatred towards the Russian-speaking population. • Since the beginning of the special military operation, the Kiev regime has attacked the territories of 34 constituent entities of the Russian Federation. These regions are located outside the area of the military operation. These attacks have involved Western-made weapons such as tactical missile systems, multiple rocket launchers and artillery systems, as well as UAVs. As a result of the criminal actions committed by the Ukrainian side, 652 civilians have died, including 23 children and 2'980 people, including 169 children, were injured. Criminal cases are being investigated for all of these incidents. • European politicians can talk all they want about facts that are far from reality. However, we know that it is them who are making decisions on arms supplies to Ukraine. Therefore these individuals must also be held responsible for civilian casualties in our country. • The Kiev regime uses both domestic and Western weaponry. In conjunction with the Russian Defence Ministry, we are documenting the facts of foreign weapon and other equipment supplies. The most lethal weapons are supplied by the UK, Canada, Italy, Germany, Romania, Estonia, and a number of other countries. These include Storm Shadow cruise missiles, artillery shells, tank rounds, mortar shells, aerial bombs, ammunition and, of course, UAVs, which are widely used not only in combat, but against civilian targets as well. • The investigation has identified 3'300 mercenaries from more than 70 countries fighting in Ukraine, including 712 from Georgia, 694 from Great Britain, and 719 from Canada. Based on the evidence, 871 mercenaries have been indicted and 652 have been put on the international wanted list. The Investigative Committee has completed the investigation of 101 criminal cases against foreign mercenaries who took part in hostilities on the side of the Ukrainian forces for financial compensation. As a result, courts have issued guilty verdicts against 72 individuals from 15 countries. • More than 39’000 people have been interviewed as part of criminal cases related to the events in the Kursk Region, with over 27’000 of them recognised as victims. The destruction of over 20 cultural heritage sites has been documented. It has been established that municipal facilities, large agricultural enterprises, other organisations and individual entrepreneurs suffered damage amounting to more than 26 billion roubles [approximately $300 million].

📜 On March 3, 1878, the Treaty of #SanStefano was signed in a town west of Constantinople (now Istanbul), marking Russia’s victory in the war with the Ottoman Porte of 1877−1878. Under the Treaty, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro became fully independent states, with Bulgaria, which had been almost 500 years (!) under Ottoman rule, gained autonomy. Bulgaria marks March 3, the day the San-Stefano Treaty was signed, as the Liberation Day. The victory of Russia in the war against the Porte and the signing of the San Stefano Treaty laid the foundation for future relations between Russia and Bulgaria. The ties between our two countries developed step-by-step for a long time. #HistoryOfDiplomacy: A key role in signing the Treaty of San Stefano was played by prominent Russian diplomat Nikolay Ignatiev, who served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Empire to the Ottoman Porte for over ten years. It was him who signed the Treaty on behalf of the Russian Side. *** 🇷🇺🇧🇬 Today, #RussiaBulgaria relations have been brought to a zero point. The current Bulgarian government pursuing an openly Russophobic policy, destroying the foundation of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. 💬 Russia's Ambassador to Bulgaria Eleonora Mitrofanova: “It was not us who initiated the downgrading of official contacts — that was the decision by [Bulgarian] authorities. As for us, we have always stressed that dialogue was important, even when our positions do not align.” “Ignoring Russia while celebrating the anniversary of the liberation from the Ottoman oppression is a betrayalof the truth and a sign of disrespect for the thousands of Russian soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom of the fraternal Bulgarian people". (excerpt from an interview Epochtimes.bg on the eve of the Liberation Day in Bulgaria, February 27, 2025) ☝️100'000 Russian soldiers sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the Balkan nations, including Bulgaria. #RussiaBulgaria#HistoryOfRussia

💬Роль «Группы 20» должна быть определяющей в разработке новых источников роста, нивелировании рисков и развитии возможностей мировой экономики Об этом заявил Министр финансов РФ Антон Силуанов на встрече министров финансов и управляющих центральными банками «Группы 20» в Кейптауне. На первой встрече глав финансовых ведомств «двадцатки» обсуждались вопросы макроэкономических рисков и возможностей для развития мировой экономики, реформирования международной финансовой архитектуры, инвестиции в инфраструктуру и совершенствование международного налогообложения. 📈 Антон Силуанов отметил, что мировая экономика находится в ситуации, когда фокус смещается в сторону защиты национальных интересов. Это новый формат работы, который дает и новые возможности. Необходимо совместно договариваться, как управлять рисками в глобальной экономике и решать задачи. «Искусственный интеллект будет ключевым источником роста в ближайшей перспективе, а развитие децентрализованных финансов поможет существенно снизить издержки для мировой экономики и увеличить рост. Глобальная безопасность выиграет от развития альтернативных решений в области международных финансов. Роль «двадцатки» должна быть определяющей в разработке новых источников роста, нивелировании рисков и развитии новых возможностей», — сказал Министр. Финансовая инфраструктура — платёжная, инвестиционная и страховая — ключевой элемент финансовой архитектуры. И она должна быть равнодоступной. Антон Силуанов отметил рост стоимости текущей инфраструктуры, а также риски ее использования. «В наших общих интересах сделать так, чтобы финансовая система работала бесперебойно и с меньшими издержками. Выгоды от использования финансовой инфраструктуры должны распределяться справедливо», — подчеркнул он. 📌Подробнее @minfin #G20

🎙 Briefing by Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova(February 27, 2025) 🔹 Russia-US meeting in Istanbul 🔹 Ukrainian crisis 🔹 Kiev regime crimes 🔹 Bosnia and Herzegovina 🔹 Third Caspian Economic Forum 🔹 Russia’s UNGA resolution on combatting glorification of Nazism 🔹 55th Anniversary of the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons entering into force 🔹35th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between the USSR and the Vatican 📰Read 📺Watch *** #RussiaUSA In furtherance of a series of bilateral contacts at the top and high levels, an expert-level meeting took place in Istanbul to explore pathways for resolving numerous irritants that persist in bilateral dialogue due to the groundwork laid by the destructive actions of previous US administrations. We have consistently affirmed that the deterioration of Russian-American relations was not our choice. It is anticipated that the meeting will serve as the first in a sequence of such expert consultations, which may advance progress towards resolving differences with the American side and reinforcing confidence-building measures. #Ukraine Ukraine’s NATO membership would provoke abrupt and uncontrollable escalation of the conflict, with grave repercussions for global security. We reiterate that a just and durable resolution of the conflict remains unattainable without the complete and irreversible eradication of the conflict’s root causes. Foremost among these is the West’s breach of its pledge to refrain from NATO’s expansion and the alliance’s absorption of geopolitical space up to Russia’s borders. The situation with the armed forces of Ukraine continues to worsen. Under pressure from the West, the Kiev regime is exploring measures to expand its mobilisation base by conscripting youths aged 18–25. #BosniaAndHerzegovina We share the justified indignation of the general public in the Balkans at the absurd conviction in the fabricated case of President Milorad Dodik of the Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) by a court in Bosnia and Herzegovina on February 26. This is yet another instance where politics has triumphed over the law. The verdict in this case is manifestly unjust and cannot entail legal consequences. Clearly, it is aimed solely at eliminating from the political scene the leader of the Serbian populace of Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose principled patriotic position contradicts the Euro-Atlantic guidelines imposed by the West. #West#Sanctions Russia firmly opposes and refuses to accept any unilateral measures designed to exert pressure on us, including in the energy sector. The Western sanctions policy boils down to neo-colonial-style attempts to use unfair competitive practices to gain an economic edge and get rid of any other players on the global energy market. #NPT March 5 marks the 55th Anniversary of the entry into force of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Throughout this time, the NPT has served as the foundation of the nuclear non-proliferation regime and a key element of the international security system. As a State Party to the NPT and one of its depositaries, Russia is firmly committed to the letter and spirit of the Treaty and strictly fulfils its obligations with regard to non-proliferation, disarmament and the peaceful use of atomic energy. The Treaty was adopted in full awareness of the need to prevent a nuclear conflict. In this regard, it is particularly important that the five nuclear states have reached an understanding that there can be no winners in a nuclear war and that it must never be unleashed.

#FacesOfVictory He Shielded his Homeland with himself… 🏅 On February 27, 1943,Alexander Matrosov performed an immortal feat, which became known and will always be remembered as the Matrosov’s feat – he sacrificed his life for the Motherland and his comrades-in-arms. Sasha Matrosov lost his parents early and grew up in orphanages. Even in his youth, he gained serious work experience and contributed to the industrialization of the Soviet Union. From the very beginning of the Great Patriotic War, Matrosov was eager to join the front. He was drafted into military service in the fall of 1942 and, after a short combat training, was sent to the front lines as an automatic rifleman in the 2nd Separate Rifle Battalion of the 91st Separate Rifle Siberian Volunteer Brigade. Around the same time, Matrosov, a Red Army recruit, was accepted into the Komsomol (Young Communist League). On February 27, 1943, Matrosov’s battalion was ordered to attack an enemy stronghold near the village of Chernushki. As the Red Army soldiers crossed a wooded area and reached a clearing, they came under massive fire, with three enemy machine guns targeting them from their dug-in firing positions and blocking approaches to the village. One of the firing points was suppressed by an assault group of riflemen and anti-tank gunners. Another group took out the second pillbox. However, the third machine-gun nest remained active. It was then that privates Pyotr Ogurtsov and Alexander Matrosov started crawling towards the remaining gun emplacement. Soon, Ogurtsov was badly wounded, leaving Matrosov alone on his approach to the gun port. 🌟 He threw two grenades into the firing slit, temporarily silencing the machine gun. But as soon as the fighters stood up to continue their assault, the machine gunner started firing again. So the 19-year-old hero rose to his feet and rushed to the gun port to block the firing slit with his ownbody. The precious seconds he bought with his life allowed his comrades to advance and destroy the enemy position. 🎖 By decree of the USSR Supreme Council Presidium, Alexander Matrosov was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for “exemplary performance of his combat missions on the front against the German invaders and for the courage and heroism displayed.” ☝️ Matrosov’s feat became a universal symbol of courage and military valour, fearlessness and love for his Motherland. His sacrifice continues to inspire songs, poems, and films, becoming an inseparable part of Russia’s cultural code. Notably, the expression “to throw oneself against the firing slit” entered the Russian language as a direct reference to Matrosov’s immortal act.

The first meeting of the finance ministers and central bank governors of the G20 countries, chaired by the Republic of South Africa, took place in Cape Town 🇿🇦The meeting was opened by the President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa. The financial gathering at the level of finance ministers and central bank governors focused on the global economic situation, debt and tax issues and sustainable financing. The two-day sessions were attended by representatives from all G20 countries and organizations. 🇷🇺The Russian delegation was led by the Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov. This meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors followed a two-day meeting of deputy finance ministers and deputy central bank governors of the G20 in Cape Town. As the current G20 chair the Republic of South Africa aims to achieve consensus on alleviating the debt burden of the world’s poorest countries with a focus on Africa. #G20#RussiaSouthAfrica

#ExpertsSay#Opinion 📆 On 28 February 1992, the historic visit to South Africa by the Russian Foreign Minister culminated in the signing of an agreement to establish embassies and consulates in both countries. 🇷🇺🇿🇦 Until then, the relationship between Russia and South Africa had a complex history, marked by periods of cooperation and deep antagonism. Consular ties between the Soviet Union and the Union of South Africa were first established during World War II, reflecting their shared opposition to Nazi Germany. However, these ties were severed in 1956 by South Africa's apartheid regime, which viewed the Soviet Union as a major ideological adversary. For decades, the Soviet Union was a staunch supporter of the African National Congress in its struggle against apartheid. The support included providing arms, training ANC members, and actively campaigning against apartheid on the international stage. 👉 The late 1980s and early 1990s witnessed a significant shift in the relationship. As the Soviet Union underwent its own political transformations, it began to reassess its approach to South Africa. 👉 In 1991, the two countries agreed to establish "Interest Sections" within the Austrian embassies in Moscow and Pretoria, effectively serving as de facto diplomatic missions. This move signaled a gradual warmingof relations, with both sides engaging in dialogue and exploring avenues for cooperation. ✍️ The formal establishment of full diplomatic relationsin February 1992 occurred following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of the Russian Federation. The establishment of diplomatic relations was driven by a confluence of factors. For Russia, it represented an opportunity to engage with a strategically important and economically developed country. There was also a sense that establishing ties with the transitional government would pave the way for future cooperation with a post-apartheid South Africa. For South Africa, normalizing relations with Russia was seen as a way to break out of its international isolation and gain recognition from a major world power. It also opened possibilities for trade and economic cooperation. 🇷🇺🤝🇿🇦 The establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and South Africa laid the foundation for a multifaceted partnership that has continued to evolve in the years since. Despite the dramatic changes on the global stage, both countries have maintained a commitment to dialogue and cooperation on a range of issues. *Mr Boris Gorelik - Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Sub-Saharan Africa, Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences #RussiaSouthAfrica

✍️ Address by Ambassador Roman Ambarov on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and South Africa (28 February 2025) Dear friends, 🇷🇺🤝🇿🇦 Today Russia and South Africa mark the 33rd anniversary of diplomatic relations. They were established in trying times of fundamental changes in both Russia and South Africa, yet over the years developed into strategic partnership between our countries. We efficiently cooperate on the bilateral track and in international fora. As part of #BRICS and #G20, we bolster the role of the Global South in international affairs, help build up a more just, multipolar world. ☝️ Russian-South African friendship dates back to the times when Africa was fighting against colonialism and apartheid. Our country rendered assistance to the liberation movements, first and foremost – to the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party. In line with these glorious pages, Russia and South Africa today find themselves at the forefront of the struggle against neo-colonialism and for the sovereign equality of all states. We are honoured with the fact that South Africans cherish the memory of our shared history, too. As the Russian Embassy in South Africa, we attach great importance to humanitarian and people-to-people contacts providing a strong foundation for our political and economic cooperation, strengthening mutual trust and understanding. Dear friends, The first democratically elected President of the Republic of South Africa Nelson Mandela was a great friend of Russia, and he is remembered and honoured across our country. To conclude, let me quote Madiba, the words he had said at the Russian Academy of Sciences in April 1999 during his first visit to Russia as the state leader: “May our bonds with Russia long continue to help freedom and knowledge strengthen one another.” #RussiaSouthAfrica#RussiaSArelations#RuissiaAfrica#Ambarov#EmbassyofRussia

🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement and answers to media questions following visit to Qatar (Doha, February 26, 2025) 💬Sergey Lavrov: The visit to Qatar during which I held meetings with Emir of the State of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of QatarSheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has concluded. Our good relations go back a while. Today, we reaffirmed our commitment to expanding them comprehensively based on agreements reached by President Vladimir Putin and Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during earlier contacts. <...> We agreed to step up our activities across all areas, primarily, trade and economy, as well as energy as part of the Doha-based Gas Exporting Countries Forum, and interaction between the Qatar Investment Authority and the Russian Direct Investment Fund. Humanitarian exchanges, promotion of tourism, and other cultural events are also part of our plans. We discussed the Middle Eastern affairs at length, primarily, in light of the process that has been unfolding in Syria after the change of power. We are interested in keeping this process under control and making sure it does not spark civil strife, since the risk is still there. <...> We would like all external players, including the Arabs, the West, China, Russia, and Iran, to help normalise the situation in Syria. We are aware that the Syrian leadership (our Qatari partners confirmed this) is interested in seeing assistance to the reforms and normalisation processes in the country come in an even and balanced manner, where no one is trying to subordinate these processes to their geopolitical goals. Syria no longer wants to be a place for the external players to sort out their geopolitical differences. We placed great emphasis on yet another issue which is the Palestinian-Israeli settlement and Israel-Lebanon relations. We are concerned that the Israeli army takes more steps every day that are not provided for in the agreements with Hamas and Lebanon. These steps create situations on the ground that are at odds with the existing agreements and UN Security Council resolutions on Palestinian affairs and the Lebanese issue. ☝️ In this regard, Qatar and the Russian Federation share the importance of re-orienting the process towards respecting the principles approved by the UN Security Council. The establishment of a Palestinian state is a key issue. Any attempts to tank these Security Council resolutions and to replace the establishment of a Palestinian state with “resettling Palestinians across the region” will only set a time bomb into motion, as has happened multiple times over the many decades of ignoring the demands for a two-state solution. From the Q&A session: • We once again expressed our gratitude and appreciation to Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, for the discreet, pragmatic efforts undertaken by Qatar to facilitate the resolution of humanitarian issues in relations between Russia and Ukraine. Primarily, these concern the reunification of children with their families. • Some suggest an idea of preserving the “line of contact.” First, this will not happen. Russia has a constitution based on the will of the people. Secondly, whatever is left of Ukraine should also be cleared of racist laws. Some of the people living there are more comfortable speaking Russian, and they want to preserve the traditions of their ancestors brought up in Russian culture. • Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated that the issue of frozen Russian assets must be considered in conjunction with the retaliatory measures adopted by the Russian Federation affecting American companies’ interests. This is a sound reflection on the necessity of abandoning thieving methods and not expecting them to go unanswered. Read in full