Forwarded from Russian Mission Geneva
💬 Excerpts from the Russian MFA Report on violations of the rights of Russian citizens and compatriots abroad (2024 edition):
🇨🇭 SWITZERLAND
🇪🇺 As of now, Switzerland has joined all EU sanction packages against Russia, stating that the restrictions are of economic, rather than military nature. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs has established a permanent group for sanctions policy coordination with relevant departments.
🏦 Based on the information from the consular section of the Russian Embassy in Switzerland, after the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine, Swiss banks initiated extensive reviews of the accounts held by Russian clients residing in the Confederation. These clients, not subjected to sanctions and lacking dual citizenship of Switzerland or EU countries, faced increased scrutiny. Local media reports indicate that certain banks have stopped providing services to Russians, even who are exempt from sanctions, and are also declining to open new accounts, citing the prevention of sanctions evasion as the reason.
🚫 Bern has fully joined the EU's "open season" on the assets of Russian individuals and legal entities. As of November 2023, financial assets of Russian individuals and legal entities in the Confederation amounting to approximately 7.7 billion Swiss francs, as well as 15 real estate properties, have been blocked.
📉 The peak of Russophobic sentiments and incidents in Switzerland occurred in 2022. 2023 saw a trend towards a reduction in the number of discrimination cases against Russian citizens. From January to October 2023, the Russian Embassy in Bern did not record any such cases.
📖 FULL REPORT (🇷🇺)
🇨🇭 SWITZERLAND
🇪🇺 As of now, Switzerland has joined all EU sanction packages against Russia, stating that the restrictions are of economic, rather than military nature. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs has established a permanent group for sanctions policy coordination with relevant departments.
🏦 Based on the information from the consular section of the Russian Embassy in Switzerland, after the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine, Swiss banks initiated extensive reviews of the accounts held by Russian clients residing in the Confederation. These clients, not subjected to sanctions and lacking dual citizenship of Switzerland or EU countries, faced increased scrutiny. Local media reports indicate that certain banks have stopped providing services to Russians, even who are exempt from sanctions, and are also declining to open new accounts, citing the prevention of sanctions evasion as the reason.
🚫 Bern has fully joined the EU's "open season" on the assets of Russian individuals and legal entities. As of November 2023, financial assets of Russian individuals and legal entities in the Confederation amounting to approximately 7.7 billion Swiss francs, as well as 15 real estate properties, have been blocked.
📉 The peak of Russophobic sentiments and incidents in Switzerland occurred in 2022. 2023 saw a trend towards a reduction in the number of discrimination cases against Russian citizens. From January to October 2023, the Russian Embassy in Bern did not record any such cases.
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Forwarded from Russian Mission to EU
⚡️Comment by the Russian Permanent Mission to the EU on the European Parliament Debate on Military Assistance to Ukraine
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💬We are still getting used to observing the processes taking place in the European Union. The nature of what was once an integration association focused on trade and economy is changing right before our eyes. This time in Strasbourg the literal warmongers have joined in an anti-Russian frenzy. Their obsession knows no bounds. They are not spending their own money; they are using others to wage war. Ukraine is perceived solely as a tool to inflict a "strategic defeat" on Russia.
❌Their minds have gone blank on the fact that the unchecked pumping of arms into Kiev contradicts both international treaties and the EU common position on arms exports. While earlier the EU refused to recognise its involvement in the conflict, today a European institution has heard the words that the EU is at war.
The debate gives the impression that representatives of three European institutions at once – the Council of the EU, the European Commission and the European Parliament – suffer from derealisation disorder. They live in a world of their own, divorced from reality, and refuse to accept the actual facts.
❗️With few exceptions, European politicians cannot come to terms with the fact that the planned blitzkrieg against Russia has failed. And they won’t give up: now they are justifying the pursuit of the anti-Russian course by warning that "the Russians are coming" – an excuse that the history of the West is familiar with. History is repeating itself: just like almost eighty years ago, new resources are being thrown at the "Eastern Front" against all odds – hoping for a miracle. But it did not happen then, and it will not happen now.
READ IN FULL
💬We are still getting used to observing the processes taking place in the European Union. The nature of what was once an integration association focused on trade and economy is changing right before our eyes. This time in Strasbourg the literal warmongers have joined in an anti-Russian frenzy. Their obsession knows no bounds. They are not spending their own money; they are using others to wage war. Ukraine is perceived solely as a tool to inflict a "strategic defeat" on Russia.
❌Their minds have gone blank on the fact that the unchecked pumping of arms into Kiev contradicts both international treaties and the EU common position on arms exports. While earlier the EU refused to recognise its involvement in the conflict, today a European institution has heard the words that the EU is at war.
The debate gives the impression that representatives of three European institutions at once – the Council of the EU, the European Commission and the European Parliament – suffer from derealisation disorder. They live in a world of their own, divorced from reality, and refuse to accept the actual facts.
❗️With few exceptions, European politicians cannot come to terms with the fact that the planned blitzkrieg against Russia has failed. And they won’t give up: now they are justifying the pursuit of the anti-Russian course by warning that "the Russians are coming" – an excuse that the history of the West is familiar with. History is repeating itself: just like almost eighty years ago, new resources are being thrown at the "Eastern Front" against all odds – hoping for a miracle. But it did not happen then, and it will not happen now.
Forwarded from Embassy of Russia in the USA / Посольство России в США
▪️US-Russian relations continue to deteriorate, teetering on the brink of an abyss
▪️ Washington’s policy of weakening Moscow’s economic and military potential remains unchanged as the United States will try to defeat Russia in Ukraine
▪️ The United States sees Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine as a challenge to the world order that is favorable to Washington and will make every effort to preserve this world order
▪️Moscow will have to resort to symmetric measures in case the West decides to confiscate Russia’s state assets
▪️ Employees of the Russian embassy heading to the US have been waiting for visas from Washington for years; around two dozen staffers had to leave the Russian diplomatic mission due to US instructions in December
▪️Russia does not see any prospects for settling the situation involving its diplomatic property blocked by the United States
▪️The Russian government is conducting dialogue on the release of all Russian citizens in US custody through the relevant agencies
📰 Read in full
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🎖 #OTD in 1943, the Siege of Leningrad was broken as the result of Operation Iskra (Spark). After 16 months of heroically battling the Nazi invaders, the Soviet Union’s second most important city regained its land connection to the rest of the country.
▪️ The siege of Leningrad lasted 872 days. For most of that time, the only way to get to the city was by air or via the sole transport route across the ice of Lake Ladoga – the Road of Life.
Soviet troops tried to break the siege several times. They succeeded on January 18, 1943, following Operation Iskra conducted by the Leningrad and Volkhov fronts with air support from the Baltic Fleet.
To lift the siege, the Soviet command decided to focus its strikes on the narrowest part of the bulge in the German defence adjoining Lake Ladoga near Shlisselburg. This area was the best option for mounting two swift counterstrikes – from the west (from within the ring) and from the east.
On January 18, the Red Army broke the encirclement after heavy fighting. A narrow 11 km-wide corridor was formed on the southern shore of Lake Ladoga for supplies and evacuation.
✍️ From Marshal Georgy Zhukov’s memoirs: “I saw the joy with which the fighters of the fronts that broke the siege rushed toward each other. Heedless of the enemy shelling from Sinyavino Heights, they met each other in warm, brotherly embrace. This was truly a hard-won joy!”
☝️ Lifting the blockade primarily meant restoring the besieged city’s connection to the mainland. The railway was repaired three weeks after the breakthrough and the first trains with food and ammunition headed for Leningrad. Power supply improved as well.
On January 18, 2018, the Proryv (Breakthrough) panoramic museum was opened on the site where the troops of the Leningrad Front crossed the Neva River. It depicts the dramatic events of January 13, 1943, the second day of Operation Iskra.
▪️ The siege of Leningrad lasted 872 days. For most of that time, the only way to get to the city was by air or via the sole transport route across the ice of Lake Ladoga – the Road of Life.
Soviet troops tried to break the siege several times. They succeeded on January 18, 1943, following Operation Iskra conducted by the Leningrad and Volkhov fronts with air support from the Baltic Fleet.
To lift the siege, the Soviet command decided to focus its strikes on the narrowest part of the bulge in the German defence adjoining Lake Ladoga near Shlisselburg. This area was the best option for mounting two swift counterstrikes – from the west (from within the ring) and from the east.
On January 18, the Red Army broke the encirclement after heavy fighting. A narrow 11 km-wide corridor was formed on the southern shore of Lake Ladoga for supplies and evacuation.
✍️ From Marshal Georgy Zhukov’s memoirs: “I saw the joy with which the fighters of the fronts that broke the siege rushed toward each other. Heedless of the enemy shelling from Sinyavino Heights, they met each other in warm, brotherly embrace. This was truly a hard-won joy!”
☝️ Lifting the blockade primarily meant restoring the besieged city’s connection to the mainland. The railway was repaired three weeks after the breakthrough and the first trains with food and ammunition headed for Leningrad. Power supply improved as well.
On January 18, 2018, the Proryv (Breakthrough) panoramic museum was opened on the site where the troops of the Leningrad Front crossed the Neva River. It depicts the dramatic events of January 13, 1943, the second day of Operation Iskra.
🔴 #LIVE: News conference by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the 2023 Russian diplomacy outcomes
🔴 X (ex-Twitter)
🔴 Facebook
🔴 Ruptly
🔴 Russian MFA website
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💬 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov:
⚡️ Afghanistan... Libya, Iraq. Look at any country where the US
& its satellites carried out their “misadventures”. Did the situation improve anywhere?
Ukraine will sadly suffer the same fate [as Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq].
If one relies on its master, unaware that the master always thinks solely of oneself, you cannot count on the interests of your people to be taken into account.
#Outcomes2023
⚡️ Afghanistan... Libya, Iraq. Look at any country where the US
& its satellites carried out their “misadventures”. Did the situation improve anywhere?
Ukraine will sadly suffer the same fate [as Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq].
If one relies on its master, unaware that the master always thinks solely of oneself, you cannot count on the interests of your people to be taken into account.
#Outcomes2023
🇷🇺🇰🇵 On January 14-18, Foreign Minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Choe Son-hui was in Moscow on an official visit, during which she met with President Vladimir Putin.
Talks with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov presented a meaningful exchange of opinions on topical matters dealing with developing bilateral ties with a focus on implementing the agreements resulting from the September summit between the Leaders of the two countries at the Vostochny Space Launch Centre, including the schedule of future political contacts.
🤝 The two Ministers agreed on the need to keep up the current momentum in terms of cooperation on practical matters, further improve the contractual legal framework and step up humanitarian and cultural exchanges.
They discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, reaffirming their mutual commitment to political and diplomatic means of settling tensions in the region, which have been escalating due to the irresponsible and provocative actions by the United States and its satellites.
#RussiaDPRK
Talks with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov presented a meaningful exchange of opinions on topical matters dealing with developing bilateral ties with a focus on implementing the agreements resulting from the September summit between the Leaders of the two countries at the Vostochny Space Launch Centre, including the schedule of future political contacts.
🤝 The two Ministers agreed on the need to keep up the current momentum in terms of cooperation on practical matters, further improve the contractual legal framework and step up humanitarian and cultural exchanges.
They discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, reaffirming their mutual commitment to political and diplomatic means of settling tensions in the region, which have been escalating due to the irresponsible and provocative actions by the United States and its satellites.
#RussiaDPRK
📅 On January 18, 1654 (370 years ago), Zaporozhiye Cossacks led by Hetman Bogdan Khmelnitsky announced in the city of Pereyaslav their decision to move “under the high arm” of the Moscow tsar.
Since the start of the Rzeczpospolita, the Catholic gentry had subjected the people living in ancient Russian lands to aggressive Polonisation and Latinisation, which was accompanied by the seizure of substantial land holdings. Threatened with the loss of religious and ethnic identity, the Orthodox population of the Dnieper River began gradually forming a liberation movement. Those who wanted to escape the yoke of the Polish gentry and reunite with Russia were ready to act together.
The leaders of the uprising looked at other options for the future. There were initiatives to reconcile with the Polish king, and even seeking the patronage of the Turkish sultan was considered.
☝️ Ultimately, however, the people of these lands made their historical choice in favour of unification with Russia.
The Pereyaslav Agreement ’s defining feature was representation of all areas of the Hetmanate divided into military-administrative units (Cossack regiments). A certificate from Tsar Alexis of Russia read that he accepted under his “high arm the entire Zaporozhiye Cossacks with cities and lands". Bogdan Khmelnitsky, the Cossack commanding officer and the local population swore allegiance to Russia.
❗️ This decision marked a turning point in the history of Eastern Europe as a whole.
The decision by the Pereyaslav Agreement clearly demonstrated the will of the once separated people to live in the same state.
Unfortunately, the term “reunification” has been all but forgotten in official Ukrainian historiography. The West is openly encouraging the Kiev regime to renounce centuries of friendship and brotherhood with Moscow and fanning anti-Russia hysteria in Ukrainian society.
Since the start of the Rzeczpospolita, the Catholic gentry had subjected the people living in ancient Russian lands to aggressive Polonisation and Latinisation, which was accompanied by the seizure of substantial land holdings. Threatened with the loss of religious and ethnic identity, the Orthodox population of the Dnieper River began gradually forming a liberation movement. Those who wanted to escape the yoke of the Polish gentry and reunite with Russia were ready to act together.
The leaders of the uprising looked at other options for the future. There were initiatives to reconcile with the Polish king, and even seeking the patronage of the Turkish sultan was considered.
☝️ Ultimately, however, the people of these lands made their historical choice in favour of unification with Russia.
The Pereyaslav Agreement ’s defining feature was representation of all areas of the Hetmanate divided into military-administrative units (Cossack regiments). A certificate from Tsar Alexis of Russia read that he accepted under his “high arm the entire Zaporozhiye Cossacks with cities and lands". Bogdan Khmelnitsky, the Cossack commanding officer and the local population swore allegiance to Russia.
❗️ This decision marked a turning point in the history of Eastern Europe as a whole.
The decision by the Pereyaslav Agreement clearly demonstrated the will of the once separated people to live in the same state.
Unfortunately, the term “reunification” has been all but forgotten in official Ukrainian historiography. The West is openly encouraging the Kiev regime to renounce centuries of friendship and brotherhood with Moscow and fanning anti-Russia hysteria in Ukrainian society.
⚡️ Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on tensions between Iran and Pakistan
💬 We are closely monitoring the growing tensions on the Iranian-Pakistani border areas with great concern. We urge both parties to exercise ultimate restraint and resolve the situation through political and diplomatic means. Once again, we emphasise the importance of conducting any counter-terrorist operations outside of sovereign territory only after reaching an agreement and coordinating with the authorities of the states involved.
It is discouraging that these events are occurring between friendly states, members of the SCO, with whom we are developing partnership relations. The further escalation will only benefit those who are not interested in peace, stability and security in the region.
☝️ We hope that Iran and Pakistan will soon find a way to settle the conflict in the spirit of traditional neighbourliness, including by addressing the elimination of terrorist threats originating from their respective territories. We underscore Russia’s unwavering readiness to cooperate in the fight against international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
💬 We are closely monitoring the growing tensions on the Iranian-Pakistani border areas with great concern. We urge both parties to exercise ultimate restraint and resolve the situation through political and diplomatic means. Once again, we emphasise the importance of conducting any counter-terrorist operations outside of sovereign territory only after reaching an agreement and coordinating with the authorities of the states involved.
It is discouraging that these events are occurring between friendly states, members of the SCO, with whom we are developing partnership relations. The further escalation will only benefit those who are not interested in peace, stability and security in the region.
☝️ We hope that Iran and Pakistan will soon find a way to settle the conflict in the spirit of traditional neighbourliness, including by addressing the elimination of terrorist threats originating from their respective territories. We underscore Russia’s unwavering readiness to cooperate in the fight against international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Forwarded from 🇷🇺🇬🇳Ambassade de Russie en Guinée
🇷🇺🤝🇸🇱 Congratulatory message from H.E. Mr. Alexey V. Popov, Ambassador of Russia to Sierra Leone, on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries:
💬 Dear friends,
Today we celebrate the 62st anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Sierra Leone.
Our countries traditionally develop cooperation in a friendly way in accordance with the principles of equality and mutual respect.
Today, Russia and Sierra Leone maintain a constructive political dialogue which is based on a focus on the comprehensive development of partnership projects in various spheres. Cooperation in the field of professional training is sustainable. The mining industry, energy, exchange of experience in the scientific and technical spheres are the most promising areas of our bilateral collaboration.
The Russian side has repeatedly provided humanitarian assistance to the friendly people of Sierra Leone in the field of food security, as well as in the fight against Ebola, the coronavirus pandemic, etc.
Russia aims at further fruitful cooperation with Sierra Leone in trade, economic, humanitarian, educational and other areas in order to ensure stability on the continent and well-being of the peoples of our two countries.
We wish the people of Sierra Leone peace and prosperity!
💬 Dear friends,
Today we celebrate the 62st anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Sierra Leone.
Our countries traditionally develop cooperation in a friendly way in accordance with the principles of equality and mutual respect.
Today, Russia and Sierra Leone maintain a constructive political dialogue which is based on a focus on the comprehensive development of partnership projects in various spheres. Cooperation in the field of professional training is sustainable. The mining industry, energy, exchange of experience in the scientific and technical spheres are the most promising areas of our bilateral collaboration.
The Russian side has repeatedly provided humanitarian assistance to the friendly people of Sierra Leone in the field of food security, as well as in the fight against Ebola, the coronavirus pandemic, etc.
Russia aims at further fruitful cooperation with Sierra Leone in trade, economic, humanitarian, educational and other areas in order to ensure stability on the continent and well-being of the peoples of our two countries.
We wish the people of Sierra Leone peace and prosperity!
✈️ On January 18, a special flight of the Russian Ministry of Emergencies delivered another shipment of humanitarian aid to Kabul, comprising 33 tonnes of food products.
This humanitarian action confirms that a special positive potential exists for interaction between the states, including via regional organisations that provide assistance to the friendly Afghan people who are suffering from the devastating earthquake in Herat province in October 2023.
🤝 Russia, for its part, will continue to provide free assistance to the people of Afghanistan.
This humanitarian action confirms that a special positive potential exists for interaction between the states, including via regional organisations that provide assistance to the friendly Afghan people who are suffering from the devastating earthquake in Herat province in October 2023.
🤝 Russia, for its part, will continue to provide free assistance to the people of Afghanistan.
🇷🇺🇸🇾 On January 18, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic Faisal Mekdad, who is currently in Moscow on a private visit.
During the trust-based talks, the two Foreign Ministers discussed topical issues on the international and regional agendas, with special attention given to the ongoing escalation of tensions in the Middle East.
The Ministers emphasised the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the resolution of critical humanitarian problems affecting the population of the Palestinian enclave. They also stressed that aggressive and provocative actions were unacceptable as they could lead to the expansion of the military confrontation to other countries in the region, including Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. It was noted that there was a demand for multilateral efforts to achieve a lasting and comprehensive settlement in the Middle East based on existing international law.
☝️ The two Ministers had an in-depth discussion on the situation evolving in Syria and around it, including the objectives of post-conflict recovery and the promotion of a comprehensive settlement in Syria based on strict adherence to the principles of respect for the country’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
While reviewing the important aspects of the continued strengthening of the Russian-Syrian diversified partnership, some practical steps were coordinated to step up mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, the economy and culture.
#RussiaSyria
During the trust-based talks, the two Foreign Ministers discussed topical issues on the international and regional agendas, with special attention given to the ongoing escalation of tensions in the Middle East.
The Ministers emphasised the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the resolution of critical humanitarian problems affecting the population of the Palestinian enclave. They also stressed that aggressive and provocative actions were unacceptable as they could lead to the expansion of the military confrontation to other countries in the region, including Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. It was noted that there was a demand for multilateral efforts to achieve a lasting and comprehensive settlement in the Middle East based on existing international law.
☝️ The two Ministers had an in-depth discussion on the situation evolving in Syria and around it, including the objectives of post-conflict recovery and the promotion of a comprehensive settlement in Syria based on strict adherence to the principles of respect for the country’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
While reviewing the important aspects of the continued strengthening of the Russian-Syrian diversified partnership, some practical steps were coordinated to step up mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, the economy and culture.
#RussiaSyria
Forwarded from Russian Embassy to the UK
The #UK government has followed in #Russia's footsteps and, after 20 years, finally listed Hizb ut-Tahrir as a terrorist entity.
In the past the #US and the #EU, of which the UK was then part, made critical statements about Russia's sustained efforts since 2003 to investigate and prosecute Hizb ut-Tahrir extremists.
We invite the UK to continue to draw on Russia's experience and ban other terrorist groups, including the Ukrainian "Pravy Sector" and the neo-Nazi "Azov" regiment.
In the past the #US and the #EU, of which the UK was then part, made critical statements about Russia's sustained efforts since 2003 to investigate and prosecute Hizb ut-Tahrir extremists.
We invite the UK to continue to draw on Russia's experience and ban other terrorist groups, including the Ukrainian "Pravy Sector" and the neo-Nazi "Azov" regiment.