Embassy of Russia in Singapore

🇺🇳 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 separate meetings 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 (https://russiaun.ru/en/news/190724_vershininunsc) 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. 👉 The African agenda covered discussions of the situation in West Africa, the Sahara and Sahel region, and the DR 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.

🗓 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovattended the 14th Ministerial Meeting of the Member States of the East Asia Summit (#EAS) and the 31st session of the ASEAN Regional Forum (#ARF) which were held in Vientiane on July 27. During discussions on current issues related to the situation in the Asia Pacific Region, the Russian Minister emphasised the importance of efforts to build an open and indivisible architecture of Eurasian security as one of the foundations of the multipolar international order. Apart from #ASEAN, the #SCO and the #EAEU are making a contribution to its strengthening. ❗️ He also indicated the risks to peace and stability in Asia introduced by NATO and the US-created selective bloc mechanisms. He reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to reinforcing ASEAN’s central role in the regional security system through the build-up of an equitable dialogue and practical interaction. Participants in the EAS meeting discussed preparations for the 19th East Asia Summit scheduled to be held in Vientiane in October 2024. At previous summits, Russia proposed initiatives to create a regional epidemic response mechanism and to secure economic growth in the Asia Pacific Region by promoting tourism cooperation. Russia also suggested focusing on the development of remote territories as a possible option for long-term cooperation. ☝️ The ARF session focused on building up the ARF’s potential in counterterrorism, emergency response, and #ICT security. Russia stressed that it is unacceptable to reformat the ARF mandate, restrict certain member states’ access to its activities, or block mutually beneficial cooperation projects for political reasons. The session approved the ARF’s working plans on countering terrorism and transnational crime for 2024-2026, emergency response for 2024-2027, and a Ministerial Statement on strengthening regional cooperation in ferry service safety. 🤝 The participants also summed up the results of the Russian-Indonesian co-chairmanship of the ARF Inter-Sessional Meetings on ICT security in 2022-2024. A number of practical initiatives to combat cybercrime was implemented during that period.

🗓 On July 26, Vientiane hosted Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s annual meeting with the Foreign Ministers representing the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (#ASEAN). One of the main outcomes of this conference consisted of the adoption of a Joint Statement on the 20th Anniversary of Russia’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, a fundamental document for the association, which provides for building a stable regional security architecture in the Asia Pacific Region. During the meeting, the participants reviewed the performance under the Comprehensive Plan of Action to Implement the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Russian Federation Strategic Partnership in 2021-2025, and agreed to draft a new medium-term document of this kind for the next period. Discussions also focused on measures to expand practical cooperation on political, security, trade and economic matters, as well as humanitarian affairs. The participating Foreign Ministers noted the successful launch of a new cooperation track in 2024, which deals with the digital transition. During the meeting, they placed special emphasis on research-intensive sectors and undertaking initiatives to develop smart cities. Russia’s partners praised it for holding advanced training courses for ASEAN specialists. 🌐 The participants exchanged views on the international agenda, confirming that Russia and ASEAN shareconverging approaches regarding the most urgent and topical global and regional challenges, and are committed to building a just world order based on the principles of international law, inclusivity and equality. In this context, Russia drew the attention of its partners to President Vladimir Putin’s initiative to create a Eurasian security framework. The conversation also touched upon efforts to promote integration processes across Greater Eurasia. In this context, the participants discussed opportunities for expanding ASEAN’s ties with the Eurasian Economic Union and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (#SCO). ASEAN thanked Russia for supporting the association’s central role in regional affairs. 🤝 As per tradition, the meeting took place in a friendly atmosphere. #RussiaASEAN

🇷🇺🇨🇳 Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi hold talks on the sidelines of #ASEAN events 📍 Vientiane, July 25, 2024 #RussiaChina *** 🤝 The Officials praised efforts by Russia and China to promote their political dialogue and practical cooperation at a time when the international system has to grapple with a lot of turbulence and uncertainty. They paid special attention to reviewing progress on the agreements resulting from the May 2024 summit meeting in Beijing. The Ministers also discussed cooperation within ASEAN considering the fact that certain countries have become increasingly proactive in setting up restricted bloc-based military and political mechanisms, which are designed to undermine the ASEAN-centric security and stability framework for the Asia-Pacific Region. They praised the new Russia – China + ASEAN Chair format following the first meeting of this kind with Laos on July 25, and said that they hoped that developing this dialogue platform would help forge closer ties across the ASEAN space. 🌐 Sergey Lavrov and Wang Yi stressed the importance for Moscow and Beijing to step up their foreign policy coordination efforts at various international platforms, including the #UN, the #SCO, #APEC, the Group of Twenty and other formats. The Russian minister thanked China for supporting Russia’s #BRICS Chairmanship and reaffirmed Moscow’s readiness to assist Beijing as SCO President. The two Ministers went on to discuss ways to implement the concept of building a new security architecture for Eurasia. It has been put forward by Russia as a response to stagnating Euro-Atlantic mechanisms. Sergey Lavrov thanked his counterpart for China’s balanced and consistent position on the Ukraine crisis and welcomed Beijing’s initiatives to promote approaches taking into consideration the interests of all the stakeholders and addressing the causes at the root of this conflict. As usual, the conversation unfolded in a trust-based and constructive manner, which has become a hallmark of the Russia-China strategic partnership. http://tiny.cc/ttoazz #RussiaChina

🎙Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks and answers to media questions following his visit to the United States within the framework of Russia’s UN Security Council Presidency 📍New York, July 17, 2024 💬 I came to New York for two key events – open debates – that were held yesterday and today within the framework of Russia’s UN Security Council Presidency. Not only members of the Security Council but all other delegations could attend them. You saw how many of them did so. The first issue we proposed for discussion yesterday concerned the conceptual framework of international relations, multilateralism and multipolarity. We pointed out the gradual erosion of system that was created after the Second World War on the basis of the central role of the UN. I hope that you listened to my statement and to the statements made by other participants. We did not expect to come to agreement on the majority of issues, considering the current tensions on the international stage and the state of relations between the collective West and the Global Majority. ☝️ Although we had no big illusions, I believe that it was a useful discussion. At the very least, the overwhelming majority of participants agreed that we have problems. Many of them expressed opinions that coincide with our vision of the objective development of a multipolar world order, which I presented in my statement. Another conclusion is that this discussion will most certainly be continued. There is an apparent interest for this, and it is growing. We will actively keep it up, and we will organise additional discussions on this issue not only at the UN but also at other multilateral platforms, including at the Group of Twenty, at associations such as #BRICS and the #SCO, as well as in the framework of our contacts with the regional organisations of Asia, Africa and Latin America. The restoration of trust is the top priority now, as the representative of Guyana pointed out yesterday. So far, there was no hint of dialogue. Another important statement he made was that trust could only be rebuilt if all parties without exception comply with the agreements reached. This is not the case so far. Examples of that were provided yesterday in my statement and in the statements of other participants. Overwhelming evidence of that was also provided during today’s open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. The overwhelming majority of the UN resolutions on Palestine have not been implemented. The second debate I have mentioned is not over yet. Many speakers have called for taking resolute steps. We hold a similar view. The first steps must include the termination of hostilities, a permanent ceasefire, the settlement of critical humanitarian problems and, of course, the termination of Israel’s actions to create illegal settlements. We hope that if or when this is done, this will create conditions for resuming negotiations on the implementation of UN decisions on the establishment of the Palestinian state that would live in peace and security with Israel. <...> 🤝 I have held a series of bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Arab countries, with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Peter Szijjarto, and with Head of the Federal Department (Minister) of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis. 📄Read in full

🌐 A meeting in the SCO Plus format was held in Astana. Taking part in the meeting were: • the Leaders of #SCO Member States, • the Heads of delegations from SCO observer countries and dialogue partners, • the Heads of international organisations (the #UN, the #EEC, the Islamic Organisation for Food Security, the #CSTO, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, #CICA, and the #CIS); • the guests of Kazakhstan’s Presidency. The Russian delegation attending the meeting includes Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office and Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov. The theme of the SCO Plus meeting is Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue – Striving for Sustainable Peace and Development. The agenda includes international and regional issues related to the SCO’s cooperation with invited countries. *** 💬 Vladimir Putin: I believe the growing interest in the work of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation stems from our core values and ideals: a commitment to pursuing a sovereign and independent policy, alongside a collaborative approach with other countries to find collective solutions to global problems. These principles resonate with many around the world. Our association has always emphasised the importance of considering the opinions and perspectives of a broad range of partners, respecting each state’s inalienable right to choose its own development model. It is evident that the SCO is now one of the biggest and most influential regional organisations. As our chairman mentioned, its member countries are home to nearly half of the world’s population, produce about a quarter of the global GDP, and possess substantial intellectual and technological potential, as well as a significant portion of the world’s natural resources. The active participation of the SCO in multilateral cooperation across various fields is particularly crucial in the current challenging international landscape, where fundamental political and economic transformations are taking place. ☝️ The world is becoming genuinely multipolar, with an increasing number of states ready to decisively assert their legitimate rights and interests. New centres of power are emerging, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is solidifying its position as one of these key centres. Therefore, the topic we have brought up for discussion is highly relevant: Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue – Striving Towards a Sustainable Peace and Prosperity. This theme encapsulates the core mission of the SCO since its inception in 2001 – fostering an atmosphere of security and trust throughout our shared Eurasian region. In this context, we appreciate the sincere and concrete proposals from SCO member countries for the peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian crisis, a result of the reckless and intrusive policies of the United States and its satellites. As you know, Russia has never refused to negotiate, and is now ready to continue peace talks. It is Ukraine that withdrew from the talks, and it also did so publicly, on direct orders from London – which means Washington was also involved, there is no doubt about it – as Ukrainian officials have admitted bluntly and openly. The Istanbul agreements – we have to give credit to the President of Türkiye, Mr Erdogan, for agreeing to be part of that process as a mediator – are still on the table. They were initialed by Ukraine’s chief negotiator, which means that, to all appearances, Ukraine found them acceptable. These agreements, the Istanbul agreements, remain on the table and can be used as a starting point for further negotiation. The SCO member states coordinate their actions on the international track, including at the United Nations, and their foreign policy approaches are largely in accord or closely aligned.

🇷🇺🇨🇳 President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin met with President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Astana. 💬 Vladimir Putin: I remember how warmly you welcomed us all in China. I would like to thank you again for the hospitality you showed us, on behalf of my colleagues and myself. <...> Our countries stood at the cradle of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in 2001. As the number of participants grew – and tomorrow Belarus will become another full member of the organisation – the #SCO also gained a bigger role as one of the key pillars of a just multipolar world order. We will certainly support China’s chairmanship of the SCO in 2024–2025 in every way. 🤝 We have repeatedly stated with good reason that Russia-China relations, our comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation, are going through the best period in their history. They are guided by the principles of equality, mutual benefit and respect for each other’s sovereignty. ☝️ Our cooperation is not directed against anyone. We do not create any blocs or alliances; we are simply acting in the interests of our people. Russia and China continue the series of events dedicated to the 75th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries we are marking this year. 📈 Trade is on the rise – we noted this during my visit to the People’s Republic of China, and we can reaffirm this today. We saw more positive trends in the first half of this year. <...> 🌐 Russian-Chinese cooperation in global affairs serves as a main stabilising factor on the international stage, and we continue to further enhance it. This year, Russia holds the presidency of #BRICS, another organisation created on our initiative, and we hope that you and our colleagues will take part in the Kazan Summit in October. Read in full: https://vk.cc/cy9dx1 #RussiaChina

#Opinion ✍️Dmitry Trenin, a research professor at the Higher School of Economics and a lead research fellow at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, member of the Russian International Affairs Council. Europe will eventually have to choose between the US and BRICS Read in full Key points: 💬 Rather than setting out to organize a genuine multipolar system based on mutual recognition of each nation’s core interests, <...> the US proceeded to enhance its exclusive and comprehensive dominance. • This year, at the #BRICS Summit in Russia’s Kazan, the group will for the first time include the leaders of Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Another major Eurasian institution is the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (#SCO) <...> to be admitted soon. A number of other Eurasian countries, from Turkey to Thailand and from the Malpes to Mongolia, have voiced their intention to join either BRICS or SCO. • To counter that trend among the members of what we increasingly call the World Majority, Washington has raised the profile of NATO in the Indo-Pacific; strengthened its Cold War-era bilateral and trilateral alliances in the Western Pacific, and founded a new one, #AUKUS, in the South Pacific. ❗️ All these multiple arrangements are completely dominated by the US and are aimed at containing and deterring Washington’s designated primary adversaries: China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea – with one overriding goal of defending America’s hegemonic position. • In contrast to that, neither BRICS nor the SCO is dominated by a single power, or a tandem/triumvirate of nations. BRICS’s recent expansion also suggests that it does not aspire to become a version of the West’s G7, as an elitist steering group, or directoire, for the non-Western world. • Neither BRICS nor the SCO is overtly anti-American or anti-Western: their main focus is internal rather than external, and they have their work cut out for them. • The emerging mutual security space within the SCO will make the continent – minus Western Europe, for the time being – far more stable, whether in terms of strategic stability in major-power relations, regional security systems, or the risks of terrorism. ☝️ Eventually, the countries of Western Europe – or far western Eurasia, if you like – will have to make a choice between staying in the US orbit as America’s power continues to shrink, or reaching out east to a vast and vibrant new world next door.

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s answers to questions from Belarus 1 television channel (June 30, 2024) ❓ Question: President Alexander Lukashenko emphasised that the relationship between Belarus and Russia serves as an example for other countries. In your opinion, where is Belarus’s support for Russia most evident right now? Would you like to see even more support? 💬 Sergey Lavrov: We don’t frame the question as where Belarus can support Russia. Our alliance and strategic partnership are based on reciprocity. All decisions made by the presidents regarding the development of the Union State and its foreign policy activities are founded on the principle of reciprocity and a balance of interests. Everything we do is mutually beneficial. This principle ensures the success of the allied relations between Russia and the Republic of Belarus across all areas of our cooperation. ❓ Question: Are there any plans for personal meetings between President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko in the near future? 💬 Sergey Lavrov: There are such plans. ❓ Question: Do you mean the SCO or some other events? 💬 Sergey Lavrov: They will definitely meet at the #SCO Summit. http://tiny.cc/12uxyz

🗓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. Read in full

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks and answers to media questions following the meeting of the CSTO Foreign Ministers Council (Almaty, June 21, 2024) 💬 At the meeting of the Foreign Ministers Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu, we focused on preparations for the CSTO Summit scheduled for November of this year in Astana. <...> During the discussions on the state of affairs in the world, we paid special attention to the agenda related to shaping a Eurasian security architecture that will replace the discredited Euro-Atlantic security arrangements. President of Russia Vladimir Putin focused on this in his remarks at the Foreign Ministry on June 14. <...> In the same Eurasian interaction context, we have agreed to build up cooperation and joint practical projects with the CIS and the SCO. Among other things, there is a shared interest in using these organisations’ potential for more effective anti-terrorist actions. ✔️ In the context of the fight against terrorism and new challenges and threats, we have approved a draft programme to strengthen the Tajik-Afghan border. <...> It will be submitted for approval to the heads of state. ✍️ A document has been signed, which provides an additional impetus to the CSTO’s peacekeeping activities, including in cooperation with the UN peacekeeping operations. This is a very promising line. We see much potential there. We have agreed to step up biosecurity efforts at the Committee of Secretaries of Security Councils and have created a coordination committee on the biological aspects of security. It is currently chaired by the Republic of Kazakhstan. <...> 🇺🇳 On July 19, Russia will chair a UN Security Council meeting in New York on the council’s cooperation with the #CSTO, #CIS and the #SCO. <...> We have invited CSTO Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov to speak at that meeting. Read in full

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s greetings to organisers and participants in the 15th International IT Forum in Khanty-Mansiysk 💬 I would like to offer my warm welcome to the organisers and participants in the 15th International IT Forum. Discussing information and communication technologies is becoming especially significant in modern conditions. Russia consistently advocates fair management of the international digital environment by closing legally binding agreements. Russian professionals are working on solving this problem in close coordination with #SCO and #BRICS partners, as well as with other countries of the Global Majority. A global intergovernmental registry of contact points was created in May 2024 at Russia’s initiative. This first universal measure to strengthen trust in the online environment will help establish direct links between competent bodies in the event of cyberattacks and other incidents. BRICS is launching a similar mechanism soon. The other initiatives by Russia that I want to single out include a draft comprehensive convention on combating crimes committed using information and communication technologies. We are also interested in expanding international cooperation in AI, the use of which can bring both potential economic benefits and grave security risks. I am confident that this meeting will also contribute to our joint efforts and I believe that participants will enjoy highly professional discussions and helpful exchanges while final recommendations will be translated into actual practices.