⚡️ Russia's delegation helmed by the Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky has arrived at the venue in Geneva where the talks on the Ukraine Crisis will take place. The delegation includes Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin.

⚡️ The three-party talks are ongoing in Geneva. Russia's delegation helmed by the Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky, comprising several members including Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin arrives at the venue.

📹 #VideoOfTheDay

🇷🇺🇨🇺 🤝 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov greets Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla ahead of bilateral talks in Moscow.

#RussiaCuba

⚡️ Head of the Russian delegation, Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky, on the outcomes of the tripartite talks in Geneva (February 17-18):

💬 As you know, the negotiations continued for two days – for quite a long time yesterday in various formats and about two hours today.

They were difficult, but businesslike.

The next meeting will take place in the near future.

🇷🇺🇿🇼 On February 18, Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe Dr Amon Murwira exchanged congratulatory messages on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Zimbabwe.

The Foreign Ministers commended the substantive political dialogue conducted at various levels and reaffirmed Moscow and Harare’s commitment to deepening cooperation in trade and economic, investment, scientific and educational, cultural and humanitarian and other fields.

They underscored Russia and Zimbabwe’s readiness to expand coordination on the international stage in the spirit of solidarity and mutual support – for the benefit of their peoples and in the interests of strengthening security on the African continent in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

#RussiaZimbabwe

⚡️ Remarks by the Ambassador of Russia to Ireland H.E. Yuriy Filatov (February 17, 2026)

✍️ Judging by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence Helen McEntee’s remarks on RTE “Morning Ireland” on February 16, the idea of the “Russian threat” to Ireland and “everybody else” is not only gaining traction with the Irish government, it is already something of an obsession at the Leinster House. The reason for this scaremongering is perfectly clear as Minister McEntee continued the tradition of using “Russian threat” as a pretext for the militarization of Ireland and greater engagement with NATO.

☝️ There are at least two points to be made in this regard. Firstly, Russia has never threatened Ireland and its people – to claim the opposite would be wrong and misleading. Secondly, it is of course the sovereign right of Ireland to formulate its security and defence policy, but at the same time it would seem obvious that decisions in that area should not be based on false assumptions. The notion of the “Russian threat” is certainly an illusion, and a dangerous one.

‼️Minister McEntee herself provides proof by saying in the same interview that the Irish government is now considering boarding Russian cargo ships by the Irish defence forces personnel. That is indeed remarkable, unprecedented and unacceptable – the Irish cabinet minister threatening Russian civilian ships with the illegal hostile actions which, one would hope, she knows is an act of piracy under international maritime law with the most serious consequences. Now, that is the real reason for the Irish public to be worried. The Irish government should really reflect on where such reckless and thoughtless line could lead.

🕯On February 17, a farewell ceremony was held in Edinburgh for Dairmid Gunn OBE, a man of outstanding personality, who over the years served as chairman of the Scottish branch of the Great Britain-USSR Association and vice-president of the Scotland-Russia Forum.

Dairmid spoke excellent Russian and possessed a profound knowledge of Russian literature and art. He strove to convey it to Scottish audiences, sparking their interest in our country and instilling a respect for its history. Dairmid also made a significant contribution to preserving the memory of our peoples' joint struggle against Nazi Germany during World War II. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first Arctic Convoy, Gunn documented the experiences of Scottish veterans who had participated in these heroic missions in his book, "Cold Seas and Warm Friendships: An Allied Bridge Over the Arctic". Dairmid’s contributions were duly recognized in Russia – in 2018, he was awarded the Pushkin Medal.

Despite his advanced age and the deteriorating political climate, Dairmid continued to deliver lectures in Edinburgh on the Scottish-Russian links and Russia's contribution to world literature and culture.

In his speech at the farewell ceremony, Consul General of Russia in Edinburgh Denis Moskalenko honored the memory of Dairmid Gunn, who until his final days made every effort to foster mutual understanding between the peoples of Scotland and Russia.

We express our deepest condolences to Dairmid's family and loved ones. He will forever remain in our hearts as a true friend of our country.

🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with Al Arabiya television channel (Moscow, February 17, 2026)

Key talking points:

#TheArabWorld

• We enjoy solid relationships with all Arab countries and their organisations. These include the League of Arab States (LAS), with which we have held about half a dozen ministerial meetings. We also plan to hold the Russia-LAS summit. We also maintain a close relationship with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which has been maintained by annual events at the level of foreign ministers.

#SaudiArabia

• Saudi Arabia is the leader of the Arab world, a country of two Holiest sites in Islam, and the author of the Arab Peace Initiative to settle the most complicated and enduring crisis, the Palestinian issue.

• Our country regards Saudi Arabia as its strategic partner in the region. We believe that this view is shared by our Saudi colleagues. We are very pleased with our cooperation.

• We are developing humanitarian, cultural, educational and sports ties. <...> A few days ago, I had a conversation with my friend, Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. One of the issues we discussed concerned the preparation of Intervision International Music Contest, which reflects the striving of Russia and Saudi Arabia to promote traditional values.

• We enjoy solid relationships with all Arab countries and their organisations. These include the #LAS, with which we have held about half a dozen ministerial meetings. We also plan to hold the #RussiaLAS summit. We also maintain a close relationship with #GCC.

#Iran

• Regrettably, Israel and the US went ahead with the strikes [against Iran], creating physical risks and undermining the authority of the #IAEA and the #NPT. The IAEA has exerted unprecedented control, especially in the past years, after the signing of the #JCPOA. Iran was never found violating the Non-Proliferation Treaty or its agreement on guarantees with the IAEA. All risks and political tensions emerged after the US withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018.

#Syria

• Mutual respect and mutual benefit – these are the principles that have underpinned our relations with Syria from the very beginning, since its establishment. We hold these relations in high regard.

• We firmly believe that a multiethnic, multi-confessional state such as Syria must restore its unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty as swiftly as possible. In this endeavour, we will continue to – and indeed already do – assist Damascus and its new leadership.

• As for our military facilities, discussions are ongoing. Let me reiterate: the Syrians are keen for our presence to endure.

#Palestine

• We should not overlook the fact that the situation in the West Bank is becoming increasingly tense and volatile as a result of Israeli actions, including the recent issuance of directives regulating land acquisition and urban development procedures. Until recently, such matters were coordinated with the Palestinian National Authority. Now, however, unilateral decisions are being taken, and analysis of their likely consequences suggests that little may remain of the territories currently administered by the Palestinian National Authority. Now, however, unilateral decisions are being taken, and analysis of their likely consequences suggests that little may remain of the territories currently administered by the Palestinian National Authority.

#UkrainianCrisis

• Europe hysterically demands that Russia start talks and that all sides agree that Europe must be part of these talks. <...> Europe has revealed its Nazi essence, which we thought was destroyed with the Hitler’s defeat in WWII. It has turned out to be extremely tenacious. I don’t see what role Europe could play.

• We greatly value the stance taken by the Trump administration and personally by the President of the US. We are closely observing Europe’s attempts to dissuade the current Washington administration from its principled stance, as discussed and agreed in Anchorage, Alaska. We remain fully committed to those understandings.

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