Russian Consulate in Cape Town

🇷🇺🇿🇦 President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa receives Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov "on the margins" of the #G20 Ministerial. 📍 Johannesburg, February 20 #RussiaSouthAfrica

🇷🇺 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov takes part in the #G20 Ministerial. The opening ceremony concluded. President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the Heads of delegations. 📍 Johannesburg, 20 February

🇷🇺🇨🇳 20 февраля в Йоханнесбурге «на полях» СМИД «Группы двадцати» состоялась встреча Министра иностранных дел Российской Федерации С.В.Лаврова c Министром иностранных дел Китайской Народной Республики Ван И. Стороны дали высокую оценку развитию политического диалога и практического взаимодействия между Россией и Китаем как стабилизирующего фактора на фоне сохраняющейся турбулентности мировой системы. Особое внимание было уделено работе по обеспечению реализации договорённостей, достигнутых между главами двух государств, и подготовке предстоящих в 2025 году российско-китайских контактов на высшем и высоком уровнях. Состоялся обстоятельный обмен мнениями по глобальной и региональной проблематике, включая вопросы евразийской безопасности, ситуацию на Ближнем Востоке и в АТР, отношения с США, украинский кризис. Главы внешнеполитических ведомств обсудили взаимодействие двух стран в рамках ООН, других международных организаций и различных многосторонних форматов. ☝️ Ван И подчеркнул, что, продвигая инициативы в пользу мирного урегулирования украинского кризиса, Пекин считает необходимым устранить его первопричины на основе соответствующих принципов Устава ООН, прежде всего, требований о безусловном уважении прав человека. Отдельный акцент был сделан на деятельности «Группы двадцати» по выстраиванию равноправного диалога представителей Мирового большинства и Запада в финансово-экономической сфере на основе соблюдения всеми мандата «двадцатки». Министры также сверили часы по вопросам, касающимся Шанхайской организации сотрудничества и объединения #БРИКС. Беседа прошла в традиционно доверительном и конструктивном ключе, характерном для российско-китайского стратегического партнёрства. #РоссияКитай

🌐In just a few minutes, the opening of the #G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting will take place in Johannesburg. The Russian delegation will be led by Sergey Lavrov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. South Africa’s chairmanship of the #G20 is a significant event not only for Pretoria but also for the entire African continent, which will host #G20 events for the first time. 🤝The presidency will be held under the slogan "Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability” continuing the efforts of the previous presidencies to establish the #G20 as a key platform for genuinely equal dialogue between developing and developed countries. ☝️ During South Africa's leadership of the forum #BRICS partners have already achieved significant results in adapting the #G20 agenda to the urgent needs of a multipolar world order and in the democratization of international economic governance institutions in the interests of non-Western power centers. Countries with emerging markets are increasingly collectively advancing independent, balanced views on energy and food security, unilateral economic pressure and other forms of unfair competition. Key political momentum for the #G20 this year comes from important anniversaries: the 80th anniversary of the Victory in World War II and the founding of the United Nations, as well as the 65th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, initiated by the USSR, which launched the process of establishing independent states in Africa. During the Foreign Ministers' meeting, the impact of the current geopolitical situation on the global economy is expected to be thoroughly discussed. Additionally, there will be an exchange of key assessments regarding the priorities for negotiation efforts put forward by Pretoria, aimed at promoting dynamic economic growth, reducing inequality, creating quality jobs, ensuring food security, and providing access to advanced technologies and financing on fair terms. 👉 In his speeches, Sergey V. Lavrov will provide a detailed overview of the current international situation, focusing on the root causes and driving forces behind key events, emphasizing the unacceptability of maintaining the confrontational line of neoliberal elites, and proposing specific actions to overcome destructive phenomena. The Russian side will reaffirm its commitment to maintaining the central role of the UN in global affairs, emphasizing the necessity of strictly adhering to the principles of the UN Charter in their entirety and interconnection. 🇷🇺 In the context of implementing the priorities of South Africa’s presidency, Russia will: • Draw attention to the need for practical steps to quickly redistribute IMF voting quotas in favor of developing countries • Work towards the full restoration of the WTO's functionality • Advocate for maintaining an open global economy and rejecting its use as a weapon. The Russian Minister will underscore the inadmissibility of trade wars, unilateral restrictions, and other forms of discriminatory approaches.

On February 19, 2025, an exhibition dedicated to the 81st anniversary of the lifting of the Siege of Leningrad was opened in Cape Town. The event was organized by the Russian Consulate General with the support of the management of the Castle of Good Hope. The exhibition, prepared by the Russian Presidential National Center for Historical Memory in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of Russia to the UN, was ceremoniously opened in the presence of distinguished guests, including members of the diplomatic corps, local activists, veterans of the ANC’s military wing, and representatives of the "Volunteers of Victory" movement. The event also featured a screening of the film “Nuremberg“ (2023), dedicated to the Nuremberg Trials. A key theme of the event was the recognition of the crimes committed by the Nazi regime during World War II. Consul General A. Malenko emphasized that "the factual evidence presented at the Nuremberg Trials of Nazi crimes against the civilian population of the Soviet Union and Poland, along with the legal assessment, clearly point to these acts as genocide, particularly in the occupied territories of the USSR and Poland." Additionally, the prospects for cooperation between Russia and the Republic of South Africa within the BRICS framework were discussed, including the creation of an independent payment system and a single currency, which would strengthen financial sovereignty and contribute to the development of a fairer multipolar world. The exhibition will be on display at the Castle of Good Hope, and we invite all interested parties to visit. #RussianMFA#RussiaSouthAfrica#Victory80

🇷🇺🛬 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrives in Johannesburg to take part in the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting #G20

🗓 On February 19, a ‘Government Hour’ with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the priorities of the foreign policy of the Russian Federationwas held as part of a plenary meeting of the State Duma. The Foreign Minister informed the parliamentarians about the key areas of the Russian diplomacy’s efforts in the context of the current geopolitical realities and the Ministry’s tasks to protect national interests and strengthen the country’s leading positions on the global arena. The list of issues raised at the meeting included settling the conflict around Ukraine, initiatives to create a Eurasian security architecture and combat neocolonialism, cooperation within the Union State, the #CSTO, the #EAEU, the #CIS, the #SCO, expanding multifaceted interaction with all sensible partners and, above all, with the states of the Global Majority, countering the hegemonic aspirations of the West, protecting the rights and interests of Russian citizens and compatriots abroad. Following the discussion, Sergey Lavrov highlighted the importance of further deepening the regular dialogue with elected representatives that contributes to the effective implementation of the unified foreign policy of the Russian Federation, which enjoys consensus support.

📺 Russian & US delegations in Riyadh

🇷🇺🇺🇸Press release on Russia-US consultations(February 18, 2025) ⚡️ In accordance with the agreement between President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump to step up contacts to discuss international issues and bilateral agenda, on February 18, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov held talks in Riyadh with a US delegation represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff. The participants discussed a broad range of issues, including prospects for normalising bilateral relations. The sides agreed to appoint respective ambassadors as soon as possible, and to start consultations at the level of deputy foreign ministers to remove restrictions on activities of the diplomatic missions of the two countries. The Sides agreed to establish a dialogue to identify ways to resume cooperation in the economy, including energy, outer space exploration, and other areas of mutual interest. The Sides exchanged views on the situation surrounding Ukraine and reiterated their mutual commitment to settle the conflict. ❗️ The Russian side emphasised the importance of eliminating the root causes of the conflict, creating proper conditions for achieving a lasting and enduring peace, and ensuring security and legitimate interests of all countries in the region. An agreement was reached to continue joint work in this area through special envoys to be appointed in the near future. The Sides agreed to resume communication channels to discuss other international issues, being mindful of Russia and the United States’ special responsibility in matters of peace and security as nuclear powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council. The interest in continuing joint work to prepare the meeting between the Russian and American presidents was confirmed. During their stay in Riyadh, Sergey Lavrov and Yury Ushakov were received by Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. They expressed gratitude for the excellent organisation of #RussiaUS talks. The participants discussed matters related to implementing the agreements on comprehensive expansion of bilateral relations reached by President Vladimir Putin and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

🛬 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrives in Riyadh for a meeting with representatives of the US administration

🇿🇦 This year’s opening meeting of the #G20 Foreign Ministers as part of the debut presidency of South Africa – a friendly country whose stance is in accord with #Russia’s – will take place in Johannesburg on February 20-21, a landmark event not only for Pretoria, but also for the entire African continent, which will host G20 events for the first time. 🇷🇺 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov plans to lead the Russian delegation. It is expected that most of the members of this major economic forum, as well as a wide range of invited states and international organisations, will be represented at a similar level. ☝️ The meeting will open with an address by President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, which will set the general tone for discussing global challenges and threats. The discussion will particularly focus on the international situation, which is alarmingly deteriorating under the impact of the confrontational policy by the neoliberal Western elites. The participants will consider the current integrity and effective functioning of the global economic system. The priorities stated by the South African presidency are designed to encourage economic growth, reduce inequality and imbalances, and ensure equitable access to financing for countries in the Global South. 🤝 The South African presidency theme highlighting “solidarity, equality and sustainability” will provide solid framework for the consultations, essentially continuing in the same vein as its predecessors in 2022-2024 – Indonesia, India and Brazil, all of them Global Majority countries. In particular, this refers to the G20’s significant contribution during this period to strengthening the foundations of the multipolar world and making global economic institutions more democratic in the interests of new non-Western centres of influence, primarily the expanded #BRICS group. ❗️The upcoming anniversaries, such as the 80th anniversary of Victory in World War II and the foundation of the #UN, as well as the 65th anniversary of the Russia-sponsored Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples adopted by the UN General Assembly to ensure Africa’s independence, should be seen as key benchmarks for the exchange of views. 👉 In his remarks, the Minister will provide a detailed analysis of the international situation underscoring the root causes of the current crisis, and outline specific steps to overcome the destructive phenomena. The Russian side will reaffirm its stance in favour of preserving the United Nations’ central role in global affairs. We will speak in support of strict compliance with the principles of the UN Charter in their entirety and interconnection. We will insist that there is no alternative to respectful interstate cooperation and ensuring equal and indivisible security for all. We will call for keeping the global economy open, rejecting trade wars, illegitimate sanctions and other unfair competition practices. We will cite examples of supranational associations that practice honest and productive cooperation without diktat or blackmail, such as the #EAEU, the #SCO and #BRICS. We will share the details of implementing the Russia-sponsored Greater Eurasian Partnership initiative. The Minister is expected to meet with several counterparts on the sidelines of the meeting. #G20SouthAfrica#BetterAfricaBetterWorld#solidarity#equality#sustainability

🎙Comment by Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Kiev regime’s attack against Channel One camera crew 💬 On February 14, in the village of Cherkasskaya Konopelka, Sudzha District, Kursk Region, a Channel One film crew was subjected to a targeted attack by a Kiev regime's UAV. As a result of the drone dropping an explosive munition, Channel One cameraman Yury Sholmov was seriously injured. He was provided with initial medical assistance at the Kursk Regional Clinical Hospital. The question of transporting the injured media worker to Moscow is being considered. We wish Yury a speedy recovery. ☝️ Another attack by the Ukrainian armed forces on Russian journalists has added to the list of Zelensky regime's bloody crimes against civilians, to which media personnel are equated under the 1949 Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol I. By targeting unarmed war correspondents, journalists, cameramen, photographers and organising a real hunt for them, the Ukrainian Nazis are trying to hide the truthabout their brutal violations of international humanitarian law and atrocities against civilians by any means possible. ⚠️We call on all responsible governments to condemn the terrorist acts of the Kiev regime and to publicly oppose the attacks of the Ukrainian armed forces against civilians, including members of the media. We demand that the relevant international organisations, first and foremost UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Jan Braathu, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk and other supranational human rights bodies immediately react to yet another heinous crime by the Kiev regime and resolutely condemn it. They must take exhaustive measures aimed at putting an end to the systematic terrorist methods of suppressing dissent practised by the neo-Nazi Bandera followers. Further silence of these crimes on the part of international officials will in fact mean covering them up and encouraging the Kiev regime to commit further attacks. ❗️Those responsible for the attack on the life of a Russian journalist will be identified and will face the deserved and unavoidable punishment.