🗓 Observed on June 26, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was established as per UN General Assembly Resolution 42/112 in 1987.
On this day, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has a tradition of releasing its annual World Drug Report. It has shown that the situation regarding narcotic drugs around the world has been deteriorating.
☝️Russia views countering the drug threat as one of its priorities in terms of ensuring national security with the corresponding provisions set forth in the State Anti-Narcotics Policy Strategy of the Russian Federation until 2030. In accordance with these provisions, Russia has been consistent in its efforts to promote a comprehensive and balanced approach combining effective law enforcement initiatives with evidence-based drug abuse prevention, treatment and rehabilitation policies for drug users.
Having all states coordinate their efforts is the only possible pathway for overcoming the existing drug-related challenges. Three dedicated UN conventions adopted in 1961, 1971, and 1988 offer a solid foundation for facilitating ties in this domain. These instruments have proven their worth and remain relevant. The Russian Federation insists that revising these fundamental documents would be unacceptable, including in terms of legalising controlled substances.
Russia believes that legislative initiatives in several countries to end bans and enact government regulations with the view to enabling people to use narcotics for non-medical purposes would not only have a negative bearing on the way the public views drug-related risks, but also constitutes a blatant violation of these conventions.
❗️ The Russian Federation insists that it is essential for the international community to promote constructive cooperation that is not guided by a political agenda or vested political interests, including within the relevant platforms. As a responsible member of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Russia continues to proactively contribute to developing a global drug policy and supports other countries in their commitment to do away with the narcotics issue.
Russia praises its partners within the #CIS, the #SCO, the #CSTO, #ASEAN and #BRICS for their cooperation on the anti-narcotics agenda which consists of ensuring strict compliance with the relevant conventions and resolving the global narcotics issue.
Russia is committed to performing its obligations in good faith, as confirmed by our country’s efforts to work with international organisations on a wide range of projects to this effect. The recent achievements in this sphere include launching a UNODC-sponsored career enhancement course for officers from Egypt’s anti-narcotics administration at the Siberian Institute of Law of the Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation in Krasnoyarsk. The Russian Federation will continue to act as a donor in this sector by offering its partners in Central Asia, Iran, Egypt, Pakistan and other regions educational projects on law enforcement matters, as well as working with young people to prevent drug abuse.
Russia attaches special importance and attention to the availability of controlled substances for medical and research purposes, which is especially relevant for developing countries. Our country provides financial support to the International Narcotics Control Board, enabling it to hold regular training sessions on this topic across the world. The latest event of this kind took place in January 2025 and included ten countries in East Africa and the Horn of Africa. It generated a lot of enthusiasm among its participants.
🤝 Russia reaffirms its commitment to expanding its cooperation and promoting constructive dialogue with all the interested parties in order to unite like-minded actors in a consolidated effort to preserve the existing global drug-control framework and build a society free from drug abuse.
🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues(Moscow, May 28, 2025)
Key talking points:
💬 Global South and East countries are becoming increasingly vocal when discussing and addressing the most urgent and key challenges the world is facing today. This reflects a tectonic shift in international politics, which took place over the past years and continues to this day. It primarily consists of an accelerated emergence of a multipolar world order, as well as new centres of development across the Eurasian continent, Africa and Latin America taking on a bigger role in the global distribution of power.
• #BRICS exemplifies constructive multilateral cooperation among major international actors and their partners representing various continents, cultures and religions. It has firmly established itself as one of the pillars of a multipolar world order and a champion of the Global Majority on the international stage.
• Upholding international law and seeking guidance from the principles of equality and neighbourly relations, as well as mutual respect and taking into account each other’s interests guarantees peace and stability.
• The conflict in Ukraine (and more fundamentally, the profound security crisis across Europe) was triggered precisely by NATO’s aggressive eastward expansion over decades that was in direct contravention of the solemn assurances by American and European leaders to both Soviet and Russian leadership regarding the alliance’s non-expansion.
• The alliance [NATO] is now taking steps to operate outside its area of responsibility, seeking to move into the Asia-Pacific region — the Indo-Pacific, as they call it — threatening to undermine the #ASEAN-centric security architecture that has developed there over decades and allowed the countries in the region and their partners in different parts of the world to successfully cooperate. This causes deep concern for the future of ASEAN and the future well-being of its member states.
• We advocate for the creation, under current conditions, of a global security architecture rooted in the objective trends of multipolarity, the emergence of new growth centres, and one that guarantees equal conditions for the peaceful development of all states without exception. <...> The foundation for this already exists – the UN Charter. What is required is for all to adhere to it in good faith.
• A crucial step towards the goal of global security is the formation of an architecture of equal and indivisible security on the Eurasian continent — the most expansive and resource-rich region, the stability of which underpins the resilience of a multipolar world.
• Russia does not seek to impose anything on anyone and is ready to engage in mutually respectful dialogue with everyone. We will keep perfecting the existing security mechanisms and put them to use as part of our engagement with the #CSTO, #CIS, and the #SCO.
• As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia is aware of the responsibility it has for international relations in all their aspects on the international stage, including in terms of promoting peace, strategic stability, conflict settlement and a unifying agenda.
Read in full
🗓 Observed on June 26, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was established as per UN General Assembly Resolution 42/112 in 1987.
On this day, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has a tradition of releasing its annual World Drug Report. It has shown that the situation regarding narcotic drugs around the world has been deteriorating.
☝️Russia views countering the drug threat as one of its priorities in terms of ensuring national security with the corresponding provisions set forth in the State Anti-Narcotics Policy Strategy of the Russian Federation until 2030. In accordance with these provisions, Russia has been consistent in its efforts to promote a comprehensive and balanced approach combining effective law enforcement initiatives with evidence-based drug abuse prevention, treatment and rehabilitation policies for drug users.
Having all states coordinate their efforts is the only possible pathway for overcoming the existing drug-related challenges. Three dedicated UN conventions adopted in 1961, 1971, and 1988 offer a solid foundation for facilitating ties in this domain. These instruments have proven their worth and remain relevant. The Russian Federation insists that revising these fundamental documents would be unacceptable, including in terms of legalising controlled substances.
Russia believes that legislative initiatives in several countries to end bans and enact government regulations with the view to enabling people to use narcotics for non-medical purposes would not only have a negative bearing on the way the public views drug-related risks, but also constitutes a blatant violation of these conventions.
❗️ The Russian Federation insists that it is essential for the international community to promote constructive cooperation that is not guided by a political agenda or vested political interests, including within the relevant platforms. As a responsible member of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Russia continues to proactively contribute to developing a global drug policy and supports other countries in their commitment to do away with the narcotics issue.
Russia praises its partners within the #CIS, the #SCO, the #CSTO, #ASEAN and #BRICS for their cooperation on the anti-narcotics agenda which consists of ensuring strict compliance with the relevant conventions and resolving the global narcotics issue.
Russia is committed to performing its obligations in good faith, as confirmed by our country’s efforts to work with international organisations on a wide range of projects to this effect. The recent achievements in this sphere include launching a UNODC-sponsored career enhancement course for officers from Egypt’s anti-narcotics administration at the Siberian Institute of Law of the Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation in Krasnoyarsk. The Russian Federation will continue to act as a donor in this sector by offering its partners in Central Asia, Iran, Egypt, Pakistan and other regions educational projects on law enforcement matters, as well as working with young people to prevent drug abuse.
Russia attaches special importance and attention to the availability of controlled substances for medical and research purposes, which is especially relevant for developing countries. Our country provides financial support to the International Narcotics Control Board, enabling it to hold regular training sessions on this topic across the world. The latest event of this kind took place in January 2025 and included ten countries in East Africa and the Horn of Africa. It generated a lot of enthusiasm among its participants.
🤝 Russia reaffirms its commitment to expanding its cooperation and promoting constructive dialogue with all the interested parties in order to unite like-minded actors in a consolidated effort to preserve the existing global drug-control framework and build a society free from drug abuse.
🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues(Moscow, May 28, 2025)
Key talking points:
💬 Global South and East countries are becoming increasingly vocal when discussing and addressing the most urgent and key challenges the world is facing today. This reflects a tectonic shift in international politics, which took place over the past years and continues to this day. It primarily consists of an accelerated emergence of a multipolar world order, as well as new centres of development across the Eurasian continent, Africa and Latin America taking on a bigger role in the global distribution of power.
• #BRICS exemplifies constructive multilateral cooperation among major international actors and their partners representing various continents, cultures and religions. It has firmly established itself as one of the pillars of a multipolar world order and a champion of the Global Majority on the international stage.
• Upholding international law and seeking guidance from the principles of equality and neighbourly relations, as well as mutual respect and taking into account each other’s interests guarantees peace and stability.
• The conflict in Ukraine (and more fundamentally, the profound security crisis across Europe) was triggered precisely by NATO’s aggressive eastward expansion over decades that was in direct contravention of the solemn assurances by American and European leaders to both Soviet and Russian leadership regarding the alliance’s non-expansion.
• The alliance [NATO] is now taking steps to operate outside its area of responsibility, seeking to move into the Asia-Pacific region — the Indo-Pacific, as they call it — threatening to undermine the #ASEAN-centric security architecture that has developed there over decades and allowed the countries in the region and their partners in different parts of the world to successfully cooperate. This causes deep concern for the future of ASEAN and the future well-being of its member states.
• We advocate for the creation, under current conditions, of a global security architecture rooted in the objective trends of multipolarity, the emergence of new growth centres, and one that guarantees equal conditions for the peaceful development of all states without exception. <...> The foundation for this already exists – the UN Charter. What is required is for all to adhere to it in good faith.
• A crucial step towards the goal of global security is the formation of an architecture of equal and indivisible security on the Eurasian continent — the most expansive and resource-rich region, the stability of which underpins the resilience of a multipolar world.
• Russia does not seek to impose anything on anyone and is ready to engage in mutually respectful dialogue with everyone. We will keep perfecting the existing security mechanisms and put them to use as part of our engagement with the #CSTO, #CIS, and the #SCO.
• As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia is aware of the responsibility it has for international relations in all their aspects on the international stage, including in terms of promoting peace, strategic stability, conflict settlement and a unifying agenda.
Read in full
🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues(Moscow, May 28, 2025)
Key talking points:
💬 Global South and East countries are becoming increasingly vocal when discussing and addressing the most urgent and key challenges the world is facing today. This reflects a tectonic shift in international politics, which took place over the past years and continues to this day. It primarily consists of an accelerated emergence of a multipolar world order, as well as new centres of development across the Eurasian continent, Africa and Latin America taking on a bigger role in the global distribution of power.
• #BRICS exemplifies constructive multilateral cooperation among major international actors and their partners representing various continents, cultures and religions. It has firmly established itself as one of the pillars of a multipolar world order and a champion of the Global Majority on the international stage.
• Upholding international law and seeking guidance from the principles of equality and neighbourly relations, as well as mutual respect and taking into account each other’s interests guarantees peace and stability.
• The conflict in Ukraine (and more fundamentally, the profound security crisis across Europe) was triggered precisely by NATO’s aggressive eastward expansion over decades that was in direct contravention of the solemn assurances by American and European leaders to both Soviet and Russian leadership regarding the alliance’s non-expansion.
• The alliance [NATO] is now taking steps to operate outside its area of responsibility, seeking to move into the Asia-Pacific region — the Indo-Pacific, as they call it — threatening to undermine the #ASEAN-centric security architecture that has developed there over decades and allowed the countries in the region and their partners in different parts of the world to successfully cooperate. This causes deep concern for the future of ASEAN and the future well-being of its member states.
• We advocate for the creation, under current conditions, of a global security architecture rooted in the objective trends of multipolarity, the emergence of new growth centres, and one that guarantees equal conditions for the peaceful development of all states without exception. <...> The foundation for this already exists – the UN Charter. What is required is for all to adhere to it in good faith.
• A crucial step towards the goal of global security is the formation of an architecture of equal and indivisible security on the Eurasian continent — the most expansive and resource-rich region, the stability of which underpins the resilience of a multipolar world.
• Russia does not seek to impose anything on anyone and is ready to engage in mutually respectful dialogue with everyone. We will keep perfecting the existing security mechanisms and put them to use as part of our engagement with the #CSTO, #CIS, and the #SCO.
• As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia is aware of the responsibility it has for international relations in all their aspects on the international stage, including in terms of promoting peace, strategic stability, conflict settlement and a unifying agenda.
Read in full
🎙Remarks by Head of the Russian delegation Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov at the 66th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs
📍 Vienna, March 13, 2023
💬 The world is going through dramatic transformations in many areas. It is clearer than ever now that the expansion of global drug trafficking is a common threat and fighting it is our joint responsibility.
🤝 We welcome the determination of individual groups of countries and associations such as Central Asia and #ASEAN to create drug-free regions.
We note with satisfaction that in recent years the #SCO has significantly built up its drug-combating capacity and continues to build, in conjunction with the #CSTO, the #CIS and CARICC, a barrier on the northern route that is used for smuggling Afghan drugs to Europe.
⚠️ Unfortunately, not all states are willing to act responsibly when it comes to fighting drug abuse. For several years now, we have been witnessing a small group of Western countries acting as if they are entitled to not follow the corresponding conventions. Today, we are talking not only about legalising supposedly less harmful cannabis, but also about lifting bans on the use of dangerous substances such as methamphetamine and heroin.
Everyone can see the results of this thoughtless policy of permissiveness. It is no coincidence that these countries are faced with an opioid crisis involving an unprecedented number of fatalities.
Does this sound like concern for public health?
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🗓International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed around the globe on June 26.
Uniting the efforts of the international community to counter the drug threat is extremely important. The World Drug Report 2024 was released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime today and states that the global drug situation has sharply worsened.
☝️ The Russian Federation believes that politicised field-specific cooperation caused by the propaganda of liberal drug use ideas by the US and its allies and actual termination of contacts with law enforcement agencies from undesirable countries are what mostly caused this aggravation.
<...>
🇷🇺 Russia advocates a comprehensive and balanced approach to solving the global drug problem which combines effective law enforcement efforts with science-based prevention of drug addiction, treatment and rehabilitation of drug users.
This approach is at odds with the legislative initiatives advanced by the US, Canada and a number of EU member states to lift the ban on the use and sale of marijuana, which create an illusion that drugs are harmless and pose a threat to promoting and protecting human rights, especially the rights of the children, who must be protected from the harmful effects of drugs.
<...>
🤝 The #CSTO, which is expanding its interoperability with the countries of Asia, remains Russia’s key strategic partner in combatting the drug challenge. The anti-drug capability of the #SCO has noticeably improved, and another six-year 2024-2029 SCO Anti-Drug Strategy and an action plan to implement it will be approved soon.
The anti-drug thrust is playing an increasingly tangible role in #BRICS. The 7th meeting of the BRICS Anti-Drug Working Group was held in Moscow on May 21-22 as part of Russia’s chairmanship. The anti-drug dialogue with #ASEAN is making strides based on the Joint Statement by the Leaders of Russia and the association’s Member States of October 2021.
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🇷🇺 The Security Council of the Russian Federation:
⚡️The comprehensive high-level international dialogue on the future architecture of global security has definitively dispelled the myth of Russia’s isolation.
The 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues concluded in Moscow. The three-day international dialogue chaired by Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Sergey Shoigu held at Rossiya National Centre was attended by 126 delegations from 105 countries that are members of #BRICS, the #SCO, #ASEAN, the #CIS, #CELAC, the African Union, the #CSTO, and other international organisations.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took part in the plenary session, during which 60 speakers delivered their remarks. The Minister shared his assessments of the Ministry’s performance amid dynamic global processes.
The Russian delegation held over 80 bilateral meetings, while foreign representatives held more than 40 bilateral meetings among themselves. Multilateral meetings were held in BRICS, the SCO, the CIS, and Russia-ASEAN formats. A briefing was organized for delegations from African countries, while an expert seminar on global security issues took place as well.
💬 From Secretary of the Security Council of Russia Sergey Shoigu’s remarks at a news conference following the meeting:
“The high level of participants and the sheer number of participating countries clearly showed the urgency and the demand for holding such events and dispelled the myth of Russia’s isolation this time again. The participants unanimously noted that the meeting was held in an atmosphere of mutual trust, and the discussions were informative and productive. The open and trust-based dialogue about the need for forming equal and indivisible security architecture served as an effective confirmation of the fact that the multipolar world, in which the security of each country matters, already exists.”
Foreign delegations expressed strong interest in the exhibition ‘Journey across Russia’ by the National Centre, which showcased the diversity of our country’s scientific research and cultural endeavours and the multifaceted achievements of modern-day Russia, as well as in the ‘We Accuse’ photo exhibition about the crimes committed by the Kiev regime during the special military operation in Ukraine, as well as in an exhibition dedicated to the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
🇷🇺 The Security Council of the Russian Federation:
⚡️The comprehensive high-level international dialogue on the future architecture of global security has definitively dispelled the myth of Russia’s isolation.
The 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues concluded in Moscow. The three-day international dialogue chaired by Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Sergey Shoigu held at Rossiya National Centre was attended by 126 delegations from 105 countries that are members of #BRICS, the #SCO, #ASEAN, the #CIS, #CELAC, the African Union, the #CSTO, and other international organisations.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took part in the plenary session, during which 60 speakers delivered their remarks. The Minister shared his assessments of the Ministry’s performance amid dynamic global processes.
The Russian delegation held over 80 bilateral meetings, while foreign representatives held more than 40 bilateral meetings among themselves. Multilateral meetings were held in BRICS, the SCO, the CIS, and Russia-ASEAN formats. A briefing was organized for delegations from African countries, while an expert seminar on global security issues took place as well.
💬 From Secretary of the Security Council of Russia Sergey Shoigu’s remarks at a news conference following the meeting:
“The high level of participants and the sheer number of participating countries clearly showed the urgency and the demand for holding such events and dispelled the myth of Russia’s isolation this time again. The participants unanimously noted that the meeting was held in an atmosphere of mutual trust, and the discussions were informative and productive. The open and trust-based dialogue about the need for forming equal and indivisible security architecture served as an effective confirmation of the fact that the multipolar world, in which the security of each country matters, already exists.”
Foreign delegations expressed strong interest in the exhibition ‘Journey across Russia’ by the National Centre, which showcased the diversity of our country’s scientific research and cultural endeavours and the multifaceted achievements of modern-day Russia, as well as in the ‘We Accuse’ photo exhibition about the crimes committed by the Kiev regime during the special military operation in Ukraine, as well as in an exhibition dedicated to the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
🇷🇺 The Security Council of the Russian Federation:
⚡️The comprehensive high-level international dialogue on the future architecture of global security has definitively dispelled the myth of Russia’s isolation.
The 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues concluded in Moscow. The three-day international dialogue chaired by Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Sergey Shoigu held at Rossiya National Centre was attended by 126 delegations from 105 countries that are members of #BRICS, the #SCO, #ASEAN, the #CIS, #CELAC, the African Union, the #CSTO, and other international organisations.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took part in the plenary session, during which 60 speakers delivered their remarks. The Minister shared his assessments of the Ministry’s performance amid dynamic global processes.
The Russian delegation held over 80 bilateral meetings, while foreign representatives held more than 40 bilateral meetings among themselves. Multilateral meetings were held in BRICS, the SCO, the CIS, and Russia-ASEAN formats. A briefing was organized for delegations from African countries, while an expert seminar on global security issues took place as well.
💬 From Secretary of the Security Council of Russia Sergey Shoigu’s remarks at a news conference following the meeting:
“The high level of participants and the sheer number of participating countries clearly showed the urgency and the demand for holding such events and dispelled the myth of Russia’s isolation this time again. The participants unanimously noted that the meeting was held in an atmosphere of mutual trust, and the discussions were informative and productive. The open and trust-based dialogue about the need for forming equal and indivisible security architecture served as an effective confirmation of the fact that the multipolar world, in which the security of each country matters, already exists.”
Foreign delegations expressed strong interest in the exhibition ‘Journey across Russia’ by the National Centre, which showcased the diversity of our country’s scientific research and cultural endeavours and the multifaceted achievements of modern-day Russia, as well as in the ‘We Accuse’ photo exhibition about the crimes committed by the Kiev regime during the special military operation in Ukraine, as well as in an exhibition dedicated to the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
🗓 On May 27-29, the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues chaired by Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Sergey Shoigu took place in Moscow.
🇷🇺🇰🇭 The event was attended by 126 delegations from 105 countries that are members of #BRICS, the #SCO, #ASEAN, the #CIS, #CELAC, the African Union, the #CSTO, and other international organizations. Cambodia was no exception, joining the comprehensive high-level international dialogue on the future architecture of global security.
❗️ On May 28, the 5th ASEAN-Russia Consultations of the High Representatives for Security Issues were held in on the sidelines of the International Meeting. Participants exchanged views on regional security in Asia-Pacific, discussed issues related to the system of strategic stability and arms control.
💬 From Secretary of the Security Council of Russia Sergey Shoigu’s remarks at a news conference following the meeting:
“The high level of participants and the sheer number of participating countries clearly showed the urgency and the demand for holding such events and dispelled the myth of Russia’s isolation this time again. The participants unanimously noted that the meeting was held in an atmosphere of mutual trust, and the discussions were informative and productive. The open and trust-based dialogue about the need for forming equal and indivisible security architecture served as an effective confirmation of the fact that the multipolar world, in which the security of each country matters, already exists.”
Foreign delegations expressed strong interest in the exhibition ‘Journey across Russia’ by the National Centre, which showcased the diversity of our country’s scientific research and cultural endeavours and the multifaceted achievements of modern-day Russia, as well as in the ‘We Accuse’ photo exhibition about the crimes committed by the Kiev regime during the special military operation in Ukraine, as well as in an exhibition dedicated to the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
#RussiaCambodia
📸 RIA Novosti
🤝 On March 16-17, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Secretary-General Zhang Mingpaid a working visit to Moscow.
The Secretary-General was received by Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation. He also held consultations with Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko.
During the exchange of views, they discussed key aspects of the organisation’s activities, including prospects for improvement in the context of current changes in global politics and the economy.
👆The Parties discussed the growing demand for creativity and the stabilising role of the SCO in today’s complex geopolitical situation and its notable contribution to shaping a multipolar architecture of international relations.
They exchanged views on strengthening the international standing of the #SCO with a focus on the need to deepen the dialogue with international partner organisations and multilateral associations, primarily the United Nations, the #CSTO, the #CIS, the #EAEU and also #ASEAN.
The Parties expressed the importance of enhancing the efficiency of the secretariat’s work with a view to further consolidating the SCO.
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🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview to the TV BRICS international media network (Moscow, February 9, 2026)
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Key talking points
• The global arena is undergoing a transformation that began some time ago with the objective transition toward a multipolar world order. This is neither the bipolarity of the Soviet-American era with the Warsaw Pact and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, nor the unipolarity that emerged after the Soviet Union’s collapse. <...> Multiple centres of rapid economic growth, power, and financial and political influence have thus emerged.
• It is equally important that we develop action plans tailored for each partner country covering trade and economic cooperation, investment, scientific collaboration, and coordinated activity on the international stage, including at the United Nations and other organisations, based on agreements reached between presidents and prime ministers. Particular attention is devoted to #CIS, #EAEU, #CSTO, and the post-Soviet space at large. This day-to-day work relies on long-term planning and delivers tangible mutual benefits to both Russia and its partners.
• Multiple centres of rapid economic growth, power, and financial and political influence have thus emerged. The world is being reshaped through competition. The West is reluctant to relinquish its formerly dominant positions.
• Safeguarding security demands sustained action to ensure that the Nazi state established on our borders in Ukraine – and supported by the West as a vehicle for renewed confrontation – cannot continue to exist in its present form. Nazi foundations must be eliminated. We will ensure, and I have no doubt about it, our own security interests, by preventing the deployment on Ukrainian territory of any weapons threatening us, and, second, by guaranteeing reliable and full protection for the rights of Russian and Russian-speaking people, who have been living in Crimea, Donbass and Novorossiya for centuries, and whom the Kiev regime that came to power after a coup declared subhuman “species” and “terrorists” and unleashed a civil war against.
• Russia chaired#BRICS in 2024. At that time, a summit was held in Kazan, and a number of our initiatives were put into action: alternative payment platforms, payment mechanisms in national currencies, the creation of reinsurance opportunities for trade within BRICS and between the association and its partners, the creation of a grain exchange, and a new investment platform.
All this is not to spite anyone, especially the United States. This is due to the fact that the United States seeks to bring all processes in the areas I mentioned under its strict control and demands unilateral concessions. Without giving up contacts with them, to the extent that they are willing to engage on a mutually beneficial basis, we are interested, together with our BRICS partners, in creating an architecture that will not be subject to the illegal actions of one or another player from the Western flank.
• The Greater Eurasian Partnership was bound to appear on the agenda. Many years ago, at the 2015 Russia – #ASEAN Summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested this term which is based on an objective trend of Eurasia becoming the biggest, richest and fastest-growing continent, especially its Pacific part. It is the most heavily-populated continent which, importantly, has seen several great civilisations emerge and continue to exist – the Chinese, Indian, Arab, Persian and Russian civilisations.
☝️ It is for a reason that our initiative on building a common Eurasian security architecture, set forward by President Putin in 2024, is gaining momentum. It is increasingly attracting interest.