Russian Consulate in Cape Town

🇷🇺🌍Anti-Russian sanctions have affected grain supplies to Africa and exacerbated the situation, says UN expert 🗣 "Unilateral coercive measures severely fragment the global food market and also affect developing countries," UN Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights Elena Dovgan said in an interview with Sputnik. She explained: "The introduction of unilateral sanctions against Russia has had a serious impact on the ability to supply grain to the poorest countries in Africa, contributing to the deterioration of the already difficult humanitarian situation in these states. The adoption of unilateral coercive measures has a strong impact on food security in the states against which such measures are taken." According to her, unilateral sanctions also impede access to fertilizers, vaccines for livestock and seeds, "which also seriously undermines food security." 🗣"Preliminary results of the monitoring show that the imposition of unilateral sanctions leads to a serious increase in consumer food price inflation for the vast majority of sanctioned countries ... Another humanitarian indicator that was significantly affected by the adoption of unilateral coercive measures were the indicators of food price anomalies in Afghanistan, Croatia, Montenegro, Zimbabwe, China, Mali, Nicaragua, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus and Iran," the UN expert noted. Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that it is the West that is responsible for the destruction of global food security, despite accusations from Washington about Russia's alleged responsibility in this matter. Subscribe to @sputnik_africa 🔸TikTok | Sputnik Africa🔸

🇺🇳 The Russian Federation completed its Presidency in the United Nations Security Council on July 31. Its packed agenda revolved around three central events, with the first two of them attended by FM Sergey Lavrov. On July 16, we held a high-level open debate titled “Multilateral cooperation in the interest of a more just, democratic and sustainable world order,” which reaffirmed the need to hold detailed discussions dealing with the underpinnings of the emerging multipolar world order, the objective to reinforce a UN-centred system of international relations, as well as the need to carry out a comprehensive review of the root causes of present-day conflicts and to consolidate our efforts in order to overcome them. The fact that the Global Majority tends to distrust the infamous Western concept of a rules-based world order was also mentioned during the debate. On July 17, the Security Council held a quarterly ministerial-level debate on the agenda item titled “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.” During this meeting, participants discussed the situation in the region with all its tension, while placing a special emphasis on the escalating violence in the Arab-Israeli conflict zone for finding ways out of this unprecedented crisis. In addition to this, the UNSC held separatemeetings on July 26 and 31 on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the assassination of the Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. On July 19, the UNSC held a debate titled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (#CSTO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (#CIS), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (#SCO).” In his remarks, Deputy FM Sergey Vershinin stressed the importance for the UN to work closer with constructive regional organisations. <...> In addition to this, Russia’s UNSC Presidency included all the events as part of the mandate-reporting cycle. 👉 The Middle East bloc included meetings on Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. 👉 TheAfrican agenda covered discussions of the situation in West Africa, the Sahara and Sahel region, and theDR Congo. 👉 The council also touched upon peacebuilding efforts in Columbia and the start of deploying the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. 👉 We exchanged views on the activities of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia and the Cyprus settlement. ❗️The Ukraine crisis remained high on the agenda. On July 9, Western countries convened a Security Council meeting in connection with the tragic incident involving a children’s hospital in Kiev. During the debate, the Russian delegation refuted accusations by its opponents and shared evidence demonstrating that the Ukrainian air defence systems were to blame for the incident. On July 25, Russia initiated a UNSC meeting to discuss the unrelenting flow of Western weapons into Ukraine, which delays a settlement in this conflict and leads to more victims. The Security Council adopted four resolutions in July: ✅ on focusing the CAR arms embargo on illegal armed groups; ✅ extending the mandates for the UN Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement and the UN Integrated Office in Haiti; ✅ regarding the UN Focal Point on delisting-related matters and re-establishing the Informal Working Group of the Security Council on General UNSC Sanctions Issues. 🇺🇳 Russia went to great lengths to enable the Security Council to be effective and responsive in its work. We encouraged our colleagues within the Council to come up with collective responses when dealing with challenges to peace and security, while seeking guidance from a holistic view of the purposes and principles set forth in the UN Charter and their inter-connected nature. The central events on the agenda of the Russian Presidency attracted a lot of attention within the international community, reaffirming our country’s high authority and the respect it commands as a UN founding member and permanent member of the Security Council. Read in full #RussiaUN

LESSONS OF HISTORY REPEATED ✍️Article by Ambassador of Russia to South Africa Ilya Rogachev (31 July 2024) READ IN FULL Key points: 🔹 Obsessed with the idea to inflict a military defeat upon Russia and split it into several smaller states with limited sovereignty, the collective West is heading towards a war against Russia, and decisions of the latest NATO summit in Washington D.C. corroborate that. "Europe is preparing for war. The pro-war train has no brakes, and the driver has gone mad” - Hungary’s Premier V.Orban". 🔹There is a very common opinion in Russia that approximately once in a centenary, the West braces up and comes to the Russian soil with a sword, where it gets beaten up and retires with its nose bloodied to remain calm for another 100 years. 🔹The Time of Troubles in Russia (XVII century) was accompanied by foreign military interventions (Poland, Sweden) which endangered the very existence of Russia as a sovereign state. But in 1612 people’s militia ousted the invaders. 🔹The XVIII century saw yet another major clash with Europeans known as the Great Northern War. During Swedish King Charles XII’s Russian campaign, in 1709, the army of invaders was completely decimated by Russian troops under the command of Peter the Great. 🔹In about 100 years, a new attempt to clamp Russia was made as Napoleon Bonaparte of France in 1812 led his ‘Grand Army’ into the ill-fated invasion. 600,000 soldiers of his army came to Russia in June 1812, and in only 6 months their remnants were chased away by Field Marshal Kutuzov’s troops. In 1814, the Russian army entered Paris. 🔹The XX century saw another large-scale invasion of Russia from the West. Our country survived World War I accompanied by inner political turmoil with three revolutions, the Civil War and foreign military interventions involving UK, France, USA etc. ☝️ Only two decades later Nazi Germany attacked the USSR. Hitler intended to conquer the USSR by the end of 1941, but it didn’t turn out the way he expected. On 30 April 1945, as the Red Army was storming Berlin, he committed suicide in the basement of the Reich Chancellery. 👉 Russian historian V.Klyuchevsky once wrote that history does not teach any lessons but punishes one for not learning them. The West should stop rewriting history and start learning it, in order to prevent history from repeating itself every 100 years. #alternativeviewpoint#embassyofrussia#rogachev#russia#southafrica

On August 1 in 1939, 85 years ago, the All-Union Agricultural Exhibition, aka VDNKh opened its doors for Moscow citizens and guests. This truly legendary place, significant monument for Soviet architecture, still serves for various exhibitions and remains a popular recreational area. From November 2023 to July 2024, the International RUSSIA EXPO took place at the VDNKh area. It was visited by more than 18 million guests. The most important achievements of the country were gathered on one platform. During the whole time of the Exposition, guests were welcomed with cultural events, a rich business and educational program. The visitors were presented expositions of 89 Russian regions, leading federal departments, corporations and public organizations. On July 1, 2024, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to establish the Russia National Centre to preserve the legacy of the RUSSIA EXPO and demonstrate the country's achievements on a permanent basis. Check its official web site to know more!

🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s answers to media questions following his visit to Malaysia 📍Kuala Lumpur, July 28, 2024 ❓Question: The US has been obsessively trying to create another training ground out of countries in the southeast. Is it relevant to say that cooperation between Russia and Asia can help the region maintain its sovereignty? 💬Sergey Lavrov: Of course. I think we had a chance to see it for ourselves yesterday and the day before in Laos during the East Asia Summit (#EAS) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (#ARF). Russia is seen as a balancing and stabilising factor in the context of countering the extremely sharp-elbowed actions by the countries outside the region, led by the US, who push their military infrastructure, including strategic arms. <...> Our balanced and clear stance always comes from the need to create platforms for negotiations and to agree on the basis of a balance of interests. This stance receives respect. Certainly, in contrast to the invasive and aggressive course of the US and NATO for military development of the region, our stance is closer to our #ASEAN friends. ❓Question: Last night saw another escalation in the Middle East, namely a missile attack on a football ground in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights in which mostly children and teenagers were killed and injured. Israel has accused Lebanon, while Lebanon has put the blame on Israel. What is the likelihood of an all-out war between Israel and Lebanon? What could be done to prevent further bloodshed? 💬Sergey Lavrov: So far, we do not see any possibility of stopping the bloodshed. In response to numerous calls for a ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel will not stop until it destroys Hamas completely. I believe, and many of my colleagues share this view, that the destruction of that organisation, which has significant capabilities and enjoys broad support, including in the Muslim world, is an unrealistic task. Russia condemns all terrorist attacks committed by any group. We condemned Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023. But Israel’s retaliatory actions have been unacceptable. They are a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and amount to collective punishment of people, which international conventions prohibit. <...> I am sure that the main condition for a lasting solution to the Middle East crisis is the fulfilment of the UN Security Council resolution on the establishment of a Palestinian state as soon as possible. This cannot be achieved without restoring Palestinian unity so that the Palestinians themselves can determine the format of negotiations regarding their life in a sovereign state. This goal has not yet been achieved. Efforts must continue towards this end. Read in full

"Born a mortal, he left immortal memories" On July 29 in 1817, the brilliant Russian artist, one of the best seascape painters of all time I.Aivazovsky was born. Being a world-known master, he prefered to work in his native Crimean region that inspired him to create his masterpieces.

🇿🇦🇷🇺 South Africa aims to boost trade with Russia and BRICS partners for economic growth, deputy trade minister says In an interview with Sputnik Africa, Zuko Godlimpi emphasized the shared goals of South Africa and Russia, both BRICS members, to build a fairer global trading system that better represents developing nations. He highlighted the importance of increased cooperation among BRICS countries, particularly in building resilient supply chains for agricultural and energy sectors. 🗣"Russia has historic capabilities on the line of gas to energy power generation, and South Africa is grappling with its energy security concerns," Godlimpi said. "That's one area of cooperation that we want to have a productive conversation with the Russians." He also pointed to significant potential for increased trade in agricultural products, noting that South Africa has the capacity to supply the Russian market. Furthermore, Godlimpi emphasized the importance of leveraging technology transfer and investment opportunities in the energy sector, particularly with the global green transition underway. 🗣"The key issue to our long-term economic growth is to build alternative markets for South African products, and BRICS is a good starting point in expanding our market footprint," he explained. Subscribe to @sputnik_africa 🔸TikTok | Sputnik Africa🔸

⚓️ Today, on July 28, Russia celebrates Navy Day! Our country is among the world’s biggest naval powers and possesses everything it needs to protect our national interests in the world’s oceans. The true origin of Russian naval traditions was the October 30, 1696 decree of the Boyar Duma on the construction of a regular fleet, accepted upon the recommendation of Peter the Great. 👉 For 328 years the ships of the Russian Navy and their crews have been guarding the borders and national interests of our Fatherland. The chronicles of our heroic Navy include triumphant naval battle victories, round-the-world cruises and great geographical discoveries. The Navy Fleet of the Russian Federation is the successor of the Navy Fleet of Russia and the Navy Fleet of the Soviet Union. Structurally, the Russian Navy consists of five operational-strategic units: the Northern, the Pacific, the Baltic, and the Black Sea fleets and the Caspian Flotilla. We are proud of the heroic history of the Russian Navy, and we cherish the memory of our naval commanders and sailors!

🇷🇺🌍 Energy promises great prospects for Russia-Africa cooperation, says the Russian Foreign Ministry Russian experience and technologies in the energy sector can open up huge opportunities in Africa, said Oleg Ozerov, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry and Head of the Secretariat of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum. 🗣 "We can do a lot in the energy sector. This is one of the most promising issues, because now the African continent is at the beginning of large-scale industrialization," the diplomat told Russian lawmakers at the State Duma session on legislative support for economic cooperation with African countries in the energy sector. According to Ozerov, Russia, with its powerful technologies in the energy sphere, will be able to "really give a lot to the African continent and at the same time develop within [Russia's] production chains, certainly in the case of creating an adequate financial system of relations with Africa". 🗣"Russia has a system of developing economic spaces at the regional level. We could offer the same kind of models to the Africans, in addition, we could partially undertake the development of mathematical models, first for small regions and then for countries, which would include the energy component," he concluded. Subscribe to @sputnik_africa 🔸TikTok | Sputnik Africa🔸

#Announcement 🗓On September 15-22, 2024, the III Open World Astronomy Olympiad (OWAO) will take place in the Federal Territory “Sirius”. The Olympiad is based on the best astronomical traditions, which brought together world-renowned specialists in the subject. The event aims to strengthen scientific and educational partnerships with other countries as well as to identify talent in astronomy. 👉 The age of the Olympiad participants must not exceed 18 years, while the minimum age threshold is not established. Not only captivating tasks but an extensive cultural program comprising lectures, creative and educational workshops and excursions are awaiting the participants. The program is available on the Olympiad website. ❗️Registration lasts until August 10, 2024. #OWAO2024

🇿🇦🇷🇺 South African delegation led by the commander of the navy visits the Zhukov Museum in Kaluga, Russia The distinguished guests laid flowers at the monument to Georgy Zhukov, a hero of the Great Patriotic War (during WWII), who later became the Soviet minister of defense, visited the permanent exhibition "Marshal of Victory" and signed the book of honored guests of the museum. The Commander of the South African Navy, Vice-Admiral Monde Lobese, praised Zhukov and all the "generation of young lions" for liberating the world from fascism. The museum also received the emblem of the South African Navy. It should be said that Zhukov's heroic deeds are widely known in African countries, so it is not the first time that diplomats and military officials from the African continent visit the museum. Subscribe to @sputnik_africa 🔸TikTok | Sputnik Africa🔸

Russian MFA Spokeswoman M.Zakharova on the BRICS Youth Summit: "The BRICS Youth Summit, a traditional event held for the 10th time, opened in Ulyanovsk on July 22 and will last until July 26. The summit is held in accordance with the Action Plan of the Russian BRICS Chairmanship and will be the key event on our agenda in line with Russia’s main position which is to “strengthen multilateralism for equitable global growth and security.” The event will serve to foster youth cooperation among the participating countries, to share experiences and to propose initiatives for joint implementation. More than 200 young people and 20 experts from the BRICS countries are expected to speak on five different subjects, including “Education, Science and Training,” “Youth Entrepreneurship,” “Science, Technology and Innovation,” “Youth Civil Society Service and Volunteering,” as well as “Sport and Healthy Lifestyle.” Each issue was developed by a separate country. Russia, in particular, addressed education and science. The BRICS Youth Media Platform, BRICS Radio and the BRICS Universe project, which is a series of exhibitions, will be presented during the summit. The exhibits include 40 images by photographers from the participating countries and works by cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Ivan Vagner who captured views of the Earth from the International Space Station. The project will last through October and will cover Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; Mumbai, India; Cape Town, South Africa; and Kazan, Russia. On July 25, BRICS ministers and heads of youth affairs agencies will meet to discuss proposals for lining up youth cooperation and the World Youth Festival’s legacy." Read the briefing in full: https://mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/1963220/?lang=en