🎙 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.
#Announcement
🎙 On Thursday, May 7, Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova will hold her weekly briefing on current foreign policy issues.
🕙 10.00 am MSK
🕖 7.00 am GMT
🕗 8.00 am CET
🕒 3.00 pm CST
For accreditation inquiries, please contact the MFA Press Centre. Accredited journalists will receive details on the technical aspects of submitting questions.
The Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman will answer media questions received by the call centre.
❗️Accreditation is open until May 5, 10:00 am MSK
#Announcement
🎙 On Wednesday, April 29, Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova will hold her weekly briefing on current foreign policy issues.
🕐 1:00 pm MSK
🕙 10:00 am GMT
🕚 11:00 am CET
🕕 6:00 pm CST
For accreditation inquiries, please contact the MFA Press Centre. Accredited journalists will receive details on the technical aspects of submitting questions.
The Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman will answer media questions received by the call centre.
❗️Accreditation is open until April 28, 10:00 am MSK
#Announcement
💐 As the 81st anniversary of Victory Day approaches, marking the end of the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945 within the wider context of the Second World War, it offers a moment for quiet reflection. The courage and sacrifice of Soviet citizens and Allied nations brought one of humanity’s most devastating conflicts to a close.
One initiative associated with this commemorative date is the Immortal Regiment, established to honour those who experienced that wartime period. In support of this effort, activists from the Russian-speaking community have recently launched a digital platform, moypolk.uk, dedicated to preserving the legacy of all Second World War veterans.
It recognises both Soviet soldiers, whose descendants now live in the United Kingdom, and British servicemen and women who fought bravely against fascism. The archive already includes records of more than 900 veterans.
Members of the public are invited to contribute by sharing family histories, photographs, and details of wartime service. The platform also offers the option to take part in the Immortal Regiment march online.
Find out more
#Announcement
🎙 On Friday, April 24, Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova will hold her weekly briefing on current foreign policy issues. The off-site briefing will be held in a hybrid format in Izhevsk, Udmurt Republic.
🕚 11.00 am MSK
🕗 8.00 am GMT
🕘 9.00 am CET
🕓 4.00 pm CST
For accreditation inquiries, please contact the MFA Press Centre. Accredited journalists will receive details on the technical aspects of submitting questions.
The Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman will answer media questions received by the call centre.
❗️Accreditation is open until April 22, 15:00 pm MSK
#Announcement
🗓On April 17, the first meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers in 2026 will be held in Moscow. Russia will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth countries will review the results of inter-ministerial cooperation in 2025 and discuss prospects and key objectives for advancing integration ties, including in the context of implementing the priorities of Turkmenistan’s current chairmanship of the Organization and the 35th anniversary of the CIS, which is being marked in 2026.
An exchange of views is also expected on pressing international and regional issues.
📃 The meeting is expected to adopt a number of decisions aimed at strengthening foreign policy coordination and cooperation in the cultural, humanitarian, law-enforcement and other spheres.
#Announcement
🎙 On Thursday, April 16, Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova will hold her weekly briefing on current foreign policy issues.
🕒 3:00 pm MSK
🕛 12:00 pm GMT
🕐 1:00 pm CET
🕗 8:00 pm CST
For accreditation inquiries, please contact the MFA Press Centre. Accredited journalists will receive details on the technical aspects of submitting questions.
The Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman will answer media questions received by the call centre.
❗️Accreditation is open until April 14, 12:00 pm MSK
#Announcement
🎙 On Wednesday, April 8, Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova will hold her weekly briefing on current foreign policy issues.
🕐 1:00 pm MSK
🕙 10:00 am GMT
🕚 11:00 am CET
🕕 6:00 pm CST
For accreditation inquiries, please contact the MFA Press Centre. Accredited journalists will receive details on the technical aspects of submitting questions.
The Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman will answer media questions received by the call centre.
❗️Accreditation is open until April 7, 10:00 am MSK
#Announcement
🎙 On Wednesday, April 1, Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova will hold her weekly briefing on current foreign policy issues.
🕛 12:00 pm MSK
🕘 9:00 am GMT
🕙 10:00 am CET
🕔 5:00 pm CST
For accreditation inquiries, please contact the MFA Press Centre. Accredited journalists will receive details on the technical aspects of submitting questions.
The Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman will answer media questions received by the call centre.
❗️Accreditation is open until March 31, 10:00 am MSK
#Announcement
🎙 On Wednesday, March 25, Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova will hold her weekly briefing on current foreign policy issues.
🕐 1:00 pm MSK
🕙 10:00 am GMT
🕚 11:00 am CET
🕕 6:00 pm CST
For accreditation inquiries, please contact the MFA Press Centre. Accredited journalists will receive details on the technical aspects of submitting questions.
The Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman will answer media questions received by the call centre.
❗️Accreditation is open until March 24, 10:00 am MSK
#Announcement
🎙 On Wednesday, March 18, Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova will hold her weekly briefing on current foreign policy issues.
🕐 1:00 pm MSK
🕙 10:00 am GMT
🕚 11:00 am CET
🕕 6:00 pm CST
For accreditation inquiries, please contact the MFA Press Centre. Accredited journalists will receive details on the technical aspects of submitting questions.
The Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman will answer media questions received by the call centre.
❗️Accreditation is open until March 17, 10:00 am MSK
#Announcement
🗓The International Security Forum held under the auspices of the Security Council of the Russian Federation is scheduled to take place on May 26-29, 2026, at the ‘Live Arena’ multifunctional complex and the ‘Patriot’ Central Park.
The Forum to feature the following events:
• the XIV International Meeting of High-Ranking Officials Responsible for Security Matters
• a variety of thematic sessions (scientific conferences, roundtables, briefings, presentations)
• bilateral and multilateral meetings
• exhibitions devoted to specific areas of activity of relevant Russian agencies and organizations
👉The Forum's Core Events (.doc file)
More than 180 delegations from foreign states and international organizations have been invited to participate in the Forum.
Secretaries of security councils, national security advisors to heads of state, directors of law enforcement agencies and special services, and general secretaries of international organizations are expected to attend. Ambassadors of foreign states, representatives of the academia, and security experts will also participate in the event.
👉Russian government agencies and ministries, organizations and companies featured at the Forum
Total number of participants is expected to be as high as 5,000 people.
Forum's working languages: Russian, Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, French, Serbian, and Spanish (simultaneous interpretation will be provided).
👉Accreditation & registration for the Forum's participants (starts on March 17)
👉Accreditation for media representatives
#Announcement
🎙 On Thursday, March 12, Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova will hold her weekly briefing on current foreign policy issues.
🕙 13:30 am MSK
🕗 10:30 am GMT
🕘 12:00 pm CET
🕓 7:00 pm CST
For accreditation inquiries, please contact the MFA Press Centre. Accredited journalists will receive details on the technical aspects of submitting questions.
The Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman will answer media questions received by the call centre.
❗️Accreditation is open until March 11, 9.00 am MSK