Russian Consulate in Cape Town

🎙 President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putinheld a meeting on preparations for the Russian-American Summit, which will take place on August 15 in Anchorage (August 14, 2025) 💬 I have asked you to gather today to brief you on the progress of negotiations regarding the Ukraine crisis and the bilateral talks with the Ukrainian delegation. Many of those present are already broadly aware of the situation, but I will provide more detailed information. That is the first matter. Second, I will update you on the current stage of our engagement with the present US administration, which, as everyone knows, has been making what I consider to be fairly vigorous and sincere efforts to halt hostilities, resolve the crisis, and reach agreements that serve the interests of all parties involved in this conflict. The aim is to establish long-term conditions for peace not only between our countries but also in Europe and indeed globally — especially if we proceed to subsequent stages involving agreements on strategic offensive arms control. #RussiaUS

⚡️Comment by Aide to the President of Russia Yury Ushakov on Vladimir Putin’s meeting with US President’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff(August 7, 2025) 💬Yury Ushakov: This meeting took place in a business-like atmosphere and was quite constructive. Both Sides can be satisfied with the outcomes of this conversation. The discussion focused on matters dealing with future efforts to work together in the context of resolving the Ukraine crisis. 🇷🇺🇺🇸 Once again, it was noted that Russia-US relations could be placed on a totally different, mutually beneficial footing, which would be in stark contrast with the way these relations have evolved in recent years. ❗️ Regarding the Ukraine agenda, at the proposal of the United States, there was a principled agreement to hold a top-level bilateral meeting in the coming days, which means a meeting between presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. Together with our American colleagues, we are about to start working on the specific parameters of this meeting and its venue. The venue has also been coordinated, and we will communicate on this point a little later. As for the option of holding a trilateral meeting, which for some reason became a subject of speculation yesterday in Washington, the US representative simply mentioned it during the meeting at the Kremlin. However, there was no specific discussion on this topic. Russia has not commented on this option in any way. Our suggestion primarily focuses on preparing for a bilateral meeting with Donald Trump. What matters most is that the meeting proves successful and produces tangible results. It is already well known that Donald Trump spoke to several of his European partners on the phone to discuss these issues after Steve Witkoff reported back to him. It is worth noting in this regard that we have also been updating our close partners and friends through the relevant communication channels to inform them on the topics discussed during the meeting with Steve Witkoff. Next week was suggested as a possible timeframe [for holding the meeting], but since the effort to prepare for this important event is only just beginning for both Parties, it is hard to say how long the preparations will take. That said, the option of holding this meeting sometime next week was on the table, and we hold quite a positive view in this regard. #RussiaUS

🇷🇺🇺🇸 April 10 marked a round of Russian-American expert consultations in Istanbul, aimed at normalising the operations of the diplomatic missions of both nations and addressing accumulated bilateral “irritants.” The delegations, led by Russian Ambassador to the United States Alexander Darchiev and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter, exchanged diplomatic notes to formalise agreed commitments. These commitments are designed to facilitate unimpeded banking and financial services for Russian and American diplomatic missions, in addition to ensuring the fulfilment of the Russian Federation’s contributions to the budgets of the UN and other international organisations. In the context of the issue raised by the Russian side regarding the return of six diplomatic real estate properties confiscated by the United States authorities and lawfully owned by the Russian Federation, the parties agreed to develop a roadmap. Ambassador Alexander Darchiev emphasised the importance of urgent practical measures in this regard, including immediate access for Russian representatives to inspect these premises and assess incurred damages. Discussions also continued on easing visa processing and travel regulations for diplomatic staff within the host countries. The Russian Ambassador pressed for accelerated progress in resolving pivotal issues to bolster mutual trust and expand bilateral business and social ties, such as resuming direct air flights. Following the consultations, the parties resolved to promptly refine the proposals tabled. The objective remains to achieve mutually acceptable solutions ahead of the next round, the timing of which is currently under coordination. #RussiaUS

🇷🇺🇺🇸📞 Presidents of Russia & the United States, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump spoke over the phone (March 18, 2025) The Leaders continued their detailed and frank exchange of views on the situation surrounding Ukraine. Vladimir Putin extended gratitude to Donald Trump for his striving to achieve the noble goal of ending the hostilities and loss of life. Confirming his fundamental commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict, the President of Russia expressed willingness to thoroughly work out possible solutions in cooperation with the American partners, aimed at reaching a settlement that would be comprehensive, reliable, and lasting, and, naturally, take into account the essential need to eliminate the root causes of the crisis, as well as Russia's legitimate security interests. Concerning US President's proposal to declare a 30-day ceasefire, the Russian Side outlined a number of significant points regarding ensuring effective control over a possible ceasefire along the entire frontline, as well as the need to stop the forced mobilisation in Ukraine and rearming the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It was noted that some serious risks exist pertaining to the intractability of the Kiev regime which had repeatedly sabotaged and violated negotiated agreements. An emphasis was made on barbaric acts of terrorism committed by Ukrainian militants against civilians residing in the Kursk Region. It was pointed out that a complete cessation of providing Kiev with foreign military aid and intelligence must become the key condition for preventing an escalation of the conflict and making progress towards its resolution through political and diplomatic means. Referring to Donald Trump's recent appeal to spare the lives of the Ukrainian servicemen surrounded in the Kursk Region, Vladimir Putin confirmed that the Russian Side was willing to embrace humanitarian motives and guaranteed that the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine would live and be treated fairly in accordance with Russian legislation and international law in the event of surrender. During the conversation, Donald Trump put forward a proposal for the parties to mutually refrain from strikes on energy infrastructure for 30 days. Vladimir Putin responded favourably to the proposal and immediately gave the relevant order to the Russian troops. Just as favourable was the Russian President's response to Donald Trump's suggestion to implement a well-known proposal regarding the safety of navigation in the Black Sea. The Leaders agreed to begin talks to further work out specific details of such an agreement. Vladimir Putin made it known that on March 19, the Russian and Ukrainian sides would carry out an exchange of prisoners, each swapping 175 people. Additionally, as a gesture of goodwill, 23 heavily wounded Ukrainian soldiers currently receiving aid at Russian medical facilities will also be repatriated. The Leaders confirmed their intention to continue efforts aimed at reaching a settlement in Ukraine bilaterally, with due regard in particular to the aforementioned proposals by the US President. For this purpose, a Russian and an American expert task forces are now being formed. Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump also addressed some other international issues, including the situation in the Middle East and in the Red Sea region. Joint efforts will be made to stabilise the situation in the crisis spots and establish cooperation on nuclear non-proliferation and global security. This will, in turn, contribute to improving the overall ambiance of relations between Russia and the United States. One positive example is the recent vote in the UN on a resolution on the Ukraine conflict, in which the two countries aligned their stances. The Leaders expressed mutual interest in normalising the bilateral ties in light of the special responsibility for ensuring global security and stability borne by both Russia and the United States. <...> 🤝 The Presidents agreed to stay in touch on all the issues raised. #RussiaUS

🇷🇺🇿🇦 On February 20, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovwas received by the President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa in Johannesburg on the sidelines of the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. During the meeting, the officials reviewed the main aspects of the diverse Russia – South Africa partnership and prioritised efforts to expand political, trade, economic, investment, scientific and technological cooperation in accordance with agreements reached by the Presidents of Russia and the Republic of South Africa. They prioritised promising long-term projects in the field of peaceful space exploration. They emphasised the commitment of both countries to continued constructive cooperation on the main issues of the international and regional agenda, including coordinated efforts at the UN, the G20 and #BRICS. The officials also discussed the situation around Ukraine. Sergey Lavrov informed Cyril Ramaphosa about the February 18 #RussiaUStalks in Riyadh. #RussiaSouthAfrica

🇷🇺🇺🇸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.