☦️ During his stay in Kazakhstan for the CIS Ministerial Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited the Ascension Cathedral in Almaty
📍 Almaty, April 10
📍 Almaty, April 10
⚡️ Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB):
On April 10, Russian citizen Artur Petrov was returned to Russia at Abu Dhabi International Airport through UAE mediation.
The Russian citizen was detained at the request of US law enforcement authorities in Cyprus in 2023 and extradited to the United States in 2024, where he was accused of breaching export control legislation. In the United States he faced up to 20 years in prison.
Artur Petrov was exchanged for US citizen Ksenia Karelina, who also had Russian citizenship, sentenced for 12 years of imprisonment in a minimum-security correctional labor facility for high treason in the form of financial aid to a foreign state. Ksenia Karelina was pardoned by an Executive Order of the President of Russia in April 2025.
We express our gratitude to the UAE leadership for their assistance.
On April 10, Russian citizen Artur Petrov was returned to Russia at Abu Dhabi International Airport through UAE mediation.
The Russian citizen was detained at the request of US law enforcement authorities in Cyprus in 2023 and extradited to the United States in 2024, where he was accused of breaching export control legislation. In the United States he faced up to 20 years in prison.
Artur Petrov was exchanged for US citizen Ksenia Karelina, who also had Russian citizenship, sentenced for 12 years of imprisonment in a minimum-security correctional labor facility for high treason in the form of financial aid to a foreign state. Ksenia Karelina was pardoned by an Executive Order of the President of Russia in April 2025.
We express our gratitude to the UAE leadership for their assistance.
🎙 Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova:
💬 Estonia continues to deliberately destroy fundamental human rights and freedoms under flimsy and allegedly democratic banners. This time, they have attacked one of the most delicate spheres – religious rights and freedoms.
The Estonian parliament has adopted an unprecedentedly aggressive and illegal decision that requires the Estonian Orthodox Church “to sever its canonical relations with the Russian Orthodox Church” under penalty of legal persecution. In other words, the state has presented a religious organisation with an ultimatum, demanding that it change its centuries-old essence and sever ties that are centuries older than the history of Estonia, in complete disregard of its canonical norms and faith, and the feelings of believers.
It is one more act of discrimination on grounds of faith and a flagrant violation of the principles of the freedom of conscience, religion and religious associations. By adopting this decision, the Estonian authorities have trampled on the international obligations of their country and the basic norms of a state based on the rule of law.
This act of repression has been cynically and hypocritically praised in the local government-controlled media and official comments as “the protection of national security” and “a guarantee of democratic choice.” This rhetoric cannot hide the fact that Estonia has entered the critical stage of its fight against the Orthodox Church, which is becoming increasingly popular in the country, including among young people. In fact, this is a state-sponsored campaign to force tens of thousands of Estonian citizens to change their religious identity.
☝️ The Tallinn authorities must abandon their policy of discrimination on religious grounds and withdraw pressure from the Estonian Orthodox Church.
We expect a proper legal and political reaction from the international human rights organisations, the relevant bodies of the UN, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, as well as representatives of other confessions.
Attempts to destroy faith, interfere in the spiritual life of society, and enforce a “correct” religion always lead to tragic consequences. Such actions undermine trust in state institutions, bring strife and disunity, and encourage intolerance and aggression.
💬 Estonia continues to deliberately destroy fundamental human rights and freedoms under flimsy and allegedly democratic banners. This time, they have attacked one of the most delicate spheres – religious rights and freedoms.
The Estonian parliament has adopted an unprecedentedly aggressive and illegal decision that requires the Estonian Orthodox Church “to sever its canonical relations with the Russian Orthodox Church” under penalty of legal persecution. In other words, the state has presented a religious organisation with an ultimatum, demanding that it change its centuries-old essence and sever ties that are centuries older than the history of Estonia, in complete disregard of its canonical norms and faith, and the feelings of believers.
It is one more act of discrimination on grounds of faith and a flagrant violation of the principles of the freedom of conscience, religion and religious associations. By adopting this decision, the Estonian authorities have trampled on the international obligations of their country and the basic norms of a state based on the rule of law.
This act of repression has been cynically and hypocritically praised in the local government-controlled media and official comments as “the protection of national security” and “a guarantee of democratic choice.” This rhetoric cannot hide the fact that Estonia has entered the critical stage of its fight against the Orthodox Church, which is becoming increasingly popular in the country, including among young people. In fact, this is a state-sponsored campaign to force tens of thousands of Estonian citizens to change their religious identity.
☝️ The Tallinn authorities must abandon their policy of discrimination on religious grounds and withdraw pressure from the Estonian Orthodox Church.
We expect a proper legal and political reaction from the international human rights organisations, the relevant bodies of the UN, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, as well as representatives of other confessions.
Attempts to destroy faith, interfere in the spiritual life of society, and enforce a “correct” religion always lead to tragic consequences. Such actions undermine trust in state institutions, bring strife and disunity, and encourage intolerance and aggression.
Forwarded from Russia in OSCE/Россия в ОБСЕ
🎙Read excerpts from the statement by Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the OSCE M.Buyakevich «On increasing military involvement of certain NATO and EU member States in yet more confrontation in and around Ukraine» (meeting of the OSCE PC, 10.04.2025)
💬 Creating the “necessary” emotional backdrop on international platforms is critically important for the Kiev regime ahead of the “Ramstein” format meeting on military support for Zelensky’s formations. In this vein are the false accusations against Russia of striking the civilian sector of Krivoy Rog on April 4
🗓 In reality, on April 4, a target in Krivoy Rog was hit, where a meeting was taking place between representatives of the Ukrainian armed formations, unit commanders, and Western instructors. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the losses amounted to up to 85 military personnel and foreign officers, as well as 20 units of automotive equipment. The Kiev regime is deliberately concealing information about these military losses, instead attempting to present the result of the unsuccessful operation of its own air defense system, deployed in residential areas in violation of international humanitarian law, as a result of a Russian “strike”
⚡️Last week, 114 civilians were affected by shelling from Zelensky’s armed formations across various regions of Russia: 106 people were injured, including one child, and eight others were killed. The Finnish OSCE Chairmanship remains silent about all the victims of Ukrainian armed formations' crimes, demonstrating double standards and unprincipled political bias
❗️The Kiev regime is deliberately undermining de-escalation initiatives. A notable example is the situation with the 30-day moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure, announced after Russian-American bilateral contacts on March 18, 2025. While the Russian Armed Forces have strictly adhered to this moratorium, the Ukrainian armed formations have, to date, carried out over 60 strikes on various energy facilities, with the majority occurring in the Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk regions
☝️Britain and several European NATO member states are striving to obstruct Russian-American dialogue and efforts to de-escalate the Ukrainian conflict. It is evident that they are betting on prolonging their “proxy war,” continuing military support for the Kiev regime, and advancing uncompromising, unrealistic, and deliberately unfeasible demands
🇬🇧 The true role of Britain in the Ukrainian conflict was recently addressed by former Ukraine armed formations' Commander-in-Chief V. Zaluzhny, who confirmed London’s special role and the involvement of NATO officers in planning military operations and meeting Ukrainian armed formations' needs within the framework of the so-called “coordination center” located in Wiesbaden, Germany
🇷🇺 Russia’s position on resolving the current security crisis throughout the OSCE area remains consistent and unchanged. What is needed is a comprehensive, fair, and sustainable resolution of the Ukrainian conflict based on addressing its root causes, including the elimination of all threats created by NATO countries from Ukraine's territory
💬 Creating the “necessary” emotional backdrop on international platforms is critically important for the Kiev regime ahead of the “Ramstein” format meeting on military support for Zelensky’s formations. In this vein are the false accusations against Russia of striking the civilian sector of Krivoy Rog on April 4
🗓 In reality, on April 4, a target in Krivoy Rog was hit, where a meeting was taking place between representatives of the Ukrainian armed formations, unit commanders, and Western instructors. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the losses amounted to up to 85 military personnel and foreign officers, as well as 20 units of automotive equipment. The Kiev regime is deliberately concealing information about these military losses, instead attempting to present the result of the unsuccessful operation of its own air defense system, deployed in residential areas in violation of international humanitarian law, as a result of a Russian “strike”
⚡️Last week, 114 civilians were affected by shelling from Zelensky’s armed formations across various regions of Russia: 106 people were injured, including one child, and eight others were killed. The Finnish OSCE Chairmanship remains silent about all the victims of Ukrainian armed formations' crimes, demonstrating double standards and unprincipled political bias
❗️The Kiev regime is deliberately undermining de-escalation initiatives. A notable example is the situation with the 30-day moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure, announced after Russian-American bilateral contacts on March 18, 2025. While the Russian Armed Forces have strictly adhered to this moratorium, the Ukrainian armed formations have, to date, carried out over 60 strikes on various energy facilities, with the majority occurring in the Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk regions
☝️Britain and several European NATO member states are striving to obstruct Russian-American dialogue and efforts to de-escalate the Ukrainian conflict. It is evident that they are betting on prolonging their “proxy war,” continuing military support for the Kiev regime, and advancing uncompromising, unrealistic, and deliberately unfeasible demands
🇬🇧 The true role of Britain in the Ukrainian conflict was recently addressed by former Ukraine armed formations' Commander-in-Chief V. Zaluzhny, who confirmed London’s special role and the involvement of NATO officers in planning military operations and meeting Ukrainian armed formations' needs within the framework of the so-called “coordination center” located in Wiesbaden, Germany
🇷🇺 Russia’s position on resolving the current security crisis throughout the OSCE area remains consistent and unchanged. What is needed is a comprehensive, fair, and sustainable resolution of the Ukrainian conflict based on addressing its root causes, including the elimination of all threats created by NATO countries from Ukraine's territory
🇷🇺🇰🇿 On April 10, during a working visit to Almaty, Kazakhstan, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Murat Nurtleu.
The meeting, held in the spirit of strategic partnership and alliance between Russia and Kazakhstan, focused on key issues of the bilateral agenda, as well as pressing international and regional developments. The two Sides also exchanged views on cooperation within shared integration frameworks across the Eurasian space and within interstate associations.
On the occasion of the upcoming 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, Sergey Lavrov and Murat Nurtleu laid flowers at the Eternal Flame at the Glory Memorial in the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen. The delegation also visited the State Military History Museum of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
At the invitation of the Head of the Metropolitan District of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Foreign Minister visited the grounds of the Ascension Cathedral in Almaty, where he met with Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan. During the meeting, the Metropolitan presented the Foreign Minister with the highest award of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, the Peace and Harmony Order.
The visit of the Russian Foreign Minister to Kazakhstan illustrates the deep trust and close cooperation between Moscow and Astana. It is also part of the ongoing efforts to prepare for key bilateral events scheduled to take place at the highest and high levels later this year.
#RussiaKazakhstan
The meeting, held in the spirit of strategic partnership and alliance between Russia and Kazakhstan, focused on key issues of the bilateral agenda, as well as pressing international and regional developments. The two Sides also exchanged views on cooperation within shared integration frameworks across the Eurasian space and within interstate associations.
On the occasion of the upcoming 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, Sergey Lavrov and Murat Nurtleu laid flowers at the Eternal Flame at the Glory Memorial in the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen. The delegation also visited the State Military History Museum of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
At the invitation of the Head of the Metropolitan District of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Foreign Minister visited the grounds of the Ascension Cathedral in Almaty, where he met with Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan. During the meeting, the Metropolitan presented the Foreign Minister with the highest award of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, the Peace and Harmony Order.
The visit of the Russian Foreign Minister to Kazakhstan illustrates the deep trust and close cooperation between Moscow and Astana. It is also part of the ongoing efforts to prepare for key bilateral events scheduled to take place at the highest and high levels later this year.
#RussiaKazakhstan
🗓 April 10th marks the International Day of Resistance Movement.
This commemorative day honours the memory of all those who refused to surrender and continued to fight the Nazi evil on the fascists-occupied territories during #WWII.
Participants of the Resistance against Nazi tyranny in Europe were united by a shared objective: to collectively repel Hitler’s aggression. Putting aside the differences, the Resistance movement’s participants stood shoulder to shoulder in their struggle for the freedom and independence of their nations and peoples from fascism.
The Resistance reached its greatest scale in the USSR, Yugoslavia, Italy, Poland, Czechoslovakia, France, Bulgaria, Norway, and the Netherlands – where anti-fascist underground groups, varying in size and efficacy, emerged across Nazi-occupied territories, collaborating with intelligence agencies of the Allies.
☝️ Thousands of Soviet citizens, alongside émigré communities, actively participated in European Resistance regiments, notably in France and Italy.
In the USSR and occupied states of Eastern and Southeastern Europe, where Nazi forces perpetrated the most horrific atrocities, mass Resistance movements played a decisive role in eventual liberation. In many countries, the Resistance evolved into full-scale national liberation operations against the Nazis. For instance, in Yugoslavia, by 1943, the Wehrmacht was forced to deploy 24 divisions (!) to combat partisans.
Between 1941 and 1944, a total of 6,200 partisan units operated across Nazi-occupied Soviet territory, with an estimated overall strength of one million fighters. Over 184'000 partisans were honoured with Soviet orders and medals, and 249 were awarded the title #HeroOfTheSovietUnion.
🌟 #Victory80: The armed resistance of Soviet partisans and European Resistance fighters made a huge contribution to the common Victory over Nazism.
Despite attempts in certain foreign states to rewrite history and erase the memory of the immortal heroism of anti-Nazi fighters, the International Day of Resistance Movement annually reaffirms our tribute to the true heroes who gave their lives to defeat Nazism.
🎙 From the briefing by Spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova (April 9, 2025):
#WeRemember
This commemorative day honours the memory of all those who refused to surrender and continued to fight the Nazi evil on the fascists-occupied territories during #WWII.
Participants of the Resistance against Nazi tyranny in Europe were united by a shared objective: to collectively repel Hitler’s aggression. Putting aside the differences, the Resistance movement’s participants stood shoulder to shoulder in their struggle for the freedom and independence of their nations and peoples from fascism.
The Resistance reached its greatest scale in the USSR, Yugoslavia, Italy, Poland, Czechoslovakia, France, Bulgaria, Norway, and the Netherlands – where anti-fascist underground groups, varying in size and efficacy, emerged across Nazi-occupied territories, collaborating with intelligence agencies of the Allies.
☝️ Thousands of Soviet citizens, alongside émigré communities, actively participated in European Resistance regiments, notably in France and Italy.
In the USSR and occupied states of Eastern and Southeastern Europe, where Nazi forces perpetrated the most horrific atrocities, mass Resistance movements played a decisive role in eventual liberation. In many countries, the Resistance evolved into full-scale national liberation operations against the Nazis. For instance, in Yugoslavia, by 1943, the Wehrmacht was forced to deploy 24 divisions (!) to combat partisans.
Between 1941 and 1944, a total of 6,200 partisan units operated across Nazi-occupied Soviet territory, with an estimated overall strength of one million fighters. Over 184'000 partisans were honoured with Soviet orders and medals, and 249 were awarded the title #HeroOfTheSovietUnion.
Despite attempts in certain foreign states to rewrite history and erase the memory of the immortal heroism of anti-Nazi fighters, the International Day of Resistance Movement annually reaffirms our tribute to the true heroes who gave their lives to defeat Nazism.
🎙 From the briefing by Spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova (April 9, 2025):
💬 “April 10 marks the International Day of the Resistance Movement dedicated to those who fought against the Nazi German invaders during World War II in the territories occupied by the Third Reich and its allies.
The fight against Nazi occupiers was international, and the common goal was to defeat Nazis, liberate occupied territories, and eradicate the anti-human ideology.
❗️ Unlike many other countries, we pay tribute to their memory.”
#WeRemember
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🎙 Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s answer to a media question on opening a criminal case over an attack against Russian journalists
❓ Question: On April 9, the Government of Japan announced its decision to join NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), a centre that coordinates military assistance, including arms supplies, equipment maintenance and personnel training. This happened in the wake of the recent visit to Tokyo by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. What is your comment?
💬 Maria Zakharova: Japan is pursuing a policy of accelerated remilitarisation. Against this background, it is increasingly involved in the Ukraine conflict and expands its material and logistical support for the terrorist regime in Kiev.
These destructive actions, which take Japan even farther from the concept of peaceful national development preached by the former generations of Japanese politicians, are not only leading to the actual loss of its status as a pacifist state, a status that was at the base of trust on the part of its regional neighbours, but are also fraught with Tokyo’s open participation in military ventures and crimes committed by the Ukrainian nationalist upper crust, with all ensuing long-term consequences.
☝️ In this connection, we would like to warn Japan that any of its steps related to direct or indirect participation in supplying arms and military equipment to Ukraine, which arms and equipment will be used to kill Russian citizens or assist in training Ukrainian militants, will be regarded by us as unequivocally hostile.
If implemented, these will inevitably entail our harsh countermeasures that will cause substantial damage to the Japanese interests in the most sensitive areas.
❓ Question: On April 9, the Government of Japan announced its decision to join NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), a centre that coordinates military assistance, including arms supplies, equipment maintenance and personnel training. This happened in the wake of the recent visit to Tokyo by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. What is your comment?
💬 Maria Zakharova: Japan is pursuing a policy of accelerated remilitarisation. Against this background, it is increasingly involved in the Ukraine conflict and expands its material and logistical support for the terrorist regime in Kiev.
These destructive actions, which take Japan even farther from the concept of peaceful national development preached by the former generations of Japanese politicians, are not only leading to the actual loss of its status as a pacifist state, a status that was at the base of trust on the part of its regional neighbours, but are also fraught with Tokyo’s open participation in military ventures and crimes committed by the Ukrainian nationalist upper crust, with all ensuing long-term consequences.
☝️ In this connection, we would like to warn Japan that any of its steps related to direct or indirect participation in supplying arms and military equipment to Ukraine, which arms and equipment will be used to kill Russian citizens or assist in training Ukrainian militants, will be regarded by us as unequivocally hostile.
If implemented, these will inevitably entail our harsh countermeasures that will cause substantial damage to the Japanese interests in the most sensitive areas.
🇷🇺🇺🇸 April 10 marked a round of Russian-American expert consultations in Istanbul, aimed at normalising the operations of the diplomatic missions of both nations and addressing accumulated bilateral “irritants.”
The delegations, led by Russian Ambassador to the United States Alexander Darchiev and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter, exchanged diplomatic notes to formalise agreed commitments. These commitments are designed to facilitate unimpeded banking and financial services for Russian and American diplomatic missions, in addition to ensuring the fulfilment of the Russian Federation’s contributions to the budgets of the UN and other international organisations.
In the context of the issue raised by the Russian side regarding the return of six diplomatic real estate properties confiscated by the United States authorities and lawfully owned by the Russian Federation, the parties agreed to develop a roadmap. Ambassador Alexander Darchiev emphasised the importance of urgent practical measures in this regard, including immediate access for Russian representatives to inspect these premises and assess incurred damages.
Discussions also continued on easing visa processing and travel regulations for diplomatic staff within the host countries. The Russian Ambassador pressed for accelerated progress in resolving pivotal issues to bolster mutual trust and expand bilateral business and social ties, such as resuming direct air flights.
Following the consultations, the parties resolved to promptly refine the proposals tabled. The objective remains to achieve mutually acceptable solutions ahead of the next round, the timing of which is currently under coordination.
#RussiaUS
The delegations, led by Russian Ambassador to the United States Alexander Darchiev and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter, exchanged diplomatic notes to formalise agreed commitments. These commitments are designed to facilitate unimpeded banking and financial services for Russian and American diplomatic missions, in addition to ensuring the fulfilment of the Russian Federation’s contributions to the budgets of the UN and other international organisations.
In the context of the issue raised by the Russian side regarding the return of six diplomatic real estate properties confiscated by the United States authorities and lawfully owned by the Russian Federation, the parties agreed to develop a roadmap. Ambassador Alexander Darchiev emphasised the importance of urgent practical measures in this regard, including immediate access for Russian representatives to inspect these premises and assess incurred damages.
Discussions also continued on easing visa processing and travel regulations for diplomatic staff within the host countries. The Russian Ambassador pressed for accelerated progress in resolving pivotal issues to bolster mutual trust and expand bilateral business and social ties, such as resuming direct air flights.
Following the consultations, the parties resolved to promptly refine the proposals tabled. The objective remains to achieve mutually acceptable solutions ahead of the next round, the timing of which is currently under coordination.
#RussiaUS
#FamilyPhoto
📷 FM Sergey Lavrov together with Heads of delegations including Foreign Ministers of CIS member states, take part in a photo ceremony ahead the CIS Ministerial
📍 Almaty, April 11
📷 FM Sergey Lavrov together with Heads of delegations including Foreign Ministers of CIS member states, take part in a photo ceremony ahead the CIS Ministerial
📍 Almaty, April 11
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov participates in the CIS Foreign Ministers Council meeting
📍 Almaty, April 11
📍 Almaty, April 11
🔴 #LIVE: Remarks and answers to media questions by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov following the CIS Foreign Ministers Council meeting (Almaty, April 11)
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FM Sergey Lavrov participates in the 8th Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Russia & Central Asian states
📍 Almaty, April 11
📍 Almaty, April 11