📹 Excerpts from video address by Alexander Pankin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, at the opening ceremony of an exhibition commemorating the artistic legacy of Vladimir Tretchikoff (November 25, 2025):
• As strategic partners, Russia and South Africa share unwavering commitment to a polycentric world order where the voice of the Global South needs to be amplified. In the challenging times of apartheid, Vladimir #Tretchikoff walked the exact same path. A passionate defender of the ideals of civilizational diversity and solidarity, he remains an outstanding representative of our shared cultural legacy. Tretchikoff was widely acclaimed as a “people’s artist” for his portraits of individuals belonging to different races and his unique manner of putting on canvas striking moments of African and Asian lifestyle.
• It is symbolic that this exhibition celebrating Russian-South African friendship is taking place against the backdrop of the 65th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Decolonization which was adopted at the initiative of the Soviet Union. My country has proved to be an uncompromising fighter against racial segregation and the exploitation of the Global Majority by Western powers.
• The high humanistic principles that our compatriot was guided by in his creativity resonate with the African philosophy of Ubuntu which provides conceptual framework for South Africa’s #G20 Presidency. The first-ever leadership of an African country in the G20 signifies Africa’s rebirth as a strong center of power in the multipolar world.
• We are proud to be contributing to the success of South Africa-led G20 summit. Beyond any doubt, together with our partners we will be able to boost true multilateralism to uphold a more equitable and democratic global governance.
#G20SouthAfrica
• As strategic partners, Russia and South Africa share unwavering commitment to a polycentric world order where the voice of the Global South needs to be amplified. In the challenging times of apartheid, Vladimir #Tretchikoff walked the exact same path. A passionate defender of the ideals of civilizational diversity and solidarity, he remains an outstanding representative of our shared cultural legacy. Tretchikoff was widely acclaimed as a “people’s artist” for his portraits of individuals belonging to different races and his unique manner of putting on canvas striking moments of African and Asian lifestyle.
• It is symbolic that this exhibition celebrating Russian-South African friendship is taking place against the backdrop of the 65th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Decolonization which was adopted at the initiative of the Soviet Union. My country has proved to be an uncompromising fighter against racial segregation and the exploitation of the Global Majority by Western powers.
• The high humanistic principles that our compatriot was guided by in his creativity resonate with the African philosophy of Ubuntu which provides conceptual framework for South Africa’s #G20 Presidency. The first-ever leadership of an African country in the G20 signifies Africa’s rebirth as a strong center of power in the multipolar world.
• We are proud to be contributing to the success of South Africa-led G20 summit. Beyond any doubt, together with our partners we will be able to boost true multilateralism to uphold a more equitable and democratic global governance.
#G20SouthAfrica
👍1
🌍 Irina Abramova, Director of the Institute of Africa, Russian Academy of Sciences, participated in a press conference as part of the TASS – Africa: Path of Friendship 2025 press tour.
In Moscow, the event brought together dozens of journalists from African news agencies, giving them the chance to ask Russian experts and government representatives questions directly.
In her speech, Irina Abramova highlighted that the perception of Russia in African media often diverges from the real situation. “The image of Russia seen by African audiences, shaped by the media, often differs significantly from reality,” she said.
Irina Abramova cited a meeting with a parliamentarian from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who, visiting Russia for the first time, was surprised by the gap between the stereotypes he had heard and the reality he witnessed. She emphasized that firsthand information is crucial for mutual understanding and effective cooperation.
Abramova also noted that African countries remember the USSR’s role in dismantling the colonial system, but that new forms of colonialism, including informational, continue to exist. Strengthening sovereignty remains especially important for African states in this environment.
Based on the Russian Institute for African Studies material
#RussiaAfrica
In Moscow, the event brought together dozens of journalists from African news agencies, giving them the chance to ask Russian experts and government representatives questions directly.
In her speech, Irina Abramova highlighted that the perception of Russia in African media often diverges from the real situation. “The image of Russia seen by African audiences, shaped by the media, often differs significantly from reality,” she said.
Irina Abramova cited a meeting with a parliamentarian from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who, visiting Russia for the first time, was surprised by the gap between the stereotypes he had heard and the reality he witnessed. She emphasized that firsthand information is crucial for mutual understanding and effective cooperation.
“Information today is a powerful productive force capable of shaping objective reality. In this context, the role of journalists is vital, because how a fact is presented can determine whether Russian-African relations are built on truth or falsehood,” she said.
Abramova also noted that African countries remember the USSR’s role in dismantling the colonial system, but that new forms of colonialism, including informational, continue to exist. Strengthening sovereignty remains especially important for African states in this environment.
Based on the Russian Institute for African Studies material
#RussiaAfrica
❤3
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🇷🇺🇿🇦 On November 28, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa Ronald Lamola held a telephone conversation.
During the conversation, the Ministers exchanged views on key issues of bilateral relations, with a focus on deepening political dialogue, expanding mutually beneficial trade, economic and other forms of cooperation, and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening coordination in international fora.
Sergey Lavrov also congratulated his South African counterpart on the successful hosting of G20 Summit in Johannesburg on November 22-23.
#RussiaSouthAfrica
During the conversation, the Ministers exchanged views on key issues of bilateral relations, with a focus on deepening political dialogue, expanding mutually beneficial trade, economic and other forms of cooperation, and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening coordination in international fora.
Sergey Lavrov also congratulated his South African counterpart on the successful hosting of G20 Summit in Johannesburg on November 22-23.
#RussiaSouthAfrica
❤3👍3
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
⚡️ Comment by Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the Kiev regime’s terrorist attacks in the Black Sea (November 30, 2025)
Read in full
💬 On November 28, in the southern Black Sea off the coast of Türkiye, unmanned seagoing boats attacked and damaged the tankers Kairos and Virat, sailing under the Gambian flag and en route to the port of Novorossiysk; the following morning, the Virat was attacked a second time.
Furthermore, in the early hours of November 29, a similar attack by unmanned surface vessels took place within the seaport of Novorossiysk itself, rendering a VPU-2 mooring unit completely inoperable. This critical infrastructure belongs to the international Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which comprises fuel and energy companies from Russia, Kazakhstan, the United States, and several Western European nations.
The Kiev regime’s intelligence services have all but claimed responsibility for these attacks, publishing video evidence of the acts in Ukrainian media.
❗️ We strongly condemn these terrorist attacks and the actions of all parties involved in their planning and execution.
Our friends in the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs have already lodged a protest concerning this latest, third act of aggression against the CPC. Our Turkish partners have also expressed their concern over these events.
We must emphasise that the targeted civilian energy infrastructure plays a vital role in ensuring global energy security and has never been subject to any international restrictions or sanctions.
It is noteworthy that the terrorist attacks in the Black Sea on November 28 and 29 coincide with a large-scale corruption scandal in Ukraine – which has once again exposed the criminal nature of the junta that usurped power – and the subsequent resignations of high-ranking figures within the Kiev regime.
It appears that certain Western sponsors of Kiev are keen to redirect Ukrainian society’s attention towards these high-profile attacks on civilian targets. They are attempting to present a demoralised Ukrainian public with yet another illusory “victory” to obscure the crumbling front in the special military operation zone and the frankly dire condition of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
We also see a direct link between these attacks and attempts to hinder ongoing international efforts to achieve a sustainable peace. <...>
The Kiev regime’s terrorist acts are a deliberate signal to those currently seeking a negotiated solution, including in the context of Donald Trump’s recent initiatives.
☝️ We call on all sober-minded parties to condemn the terrorist attacks committed in the Black Sea on November 28 and 29, which jeopardise the safety of navigation in this vital waterway, and to give a proper assessment of the destructive actions of the Kiev regime and its handlers.
Read in full
💬 On November 28, in the southern Black Sea off the coast of Türkiye, unmanned seagoing boats attacked and damaged the tankers Kairos and Virat, sailing under the Gambian flag and en route to the port of Novorossiysk; the following morning, the Virat was attacked a second time.
Furthermore, in the early hours of November 29, a similar attack by unmanned surface vessels took place within the seaport of Novorossiysk itself, rendering a VPU-2 mooring unit completely inoperable. This critical infrastructure belongs to the international Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which comprises fuel and energy companies from Russia, Kazakhstan, the United States, and several Western European nations.
The Kiev regime’s intelligence services have all but claimed responsibility for these attacks, publishing video evidence of the acts in Ukrainian media.
❗️ We strongly condemn these terrorist attacks and the actions of all parties involved in their planning and execution.
Our friends in the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs have already lodged a protest concerning this latest, third act of aggression against the CPC. Our Turkish partners have also expressed their concern over these events.
We must emphasise that the targeted civilian energy infrastructure plays a vital role in ensuring global energy security and has never been subject to any international restrictions or sanctions.
It is noteworthy that the terrorist attacks in the Black Sea on November 28 and 29 coincide with a large-scale corruption scandal in Ukraine – which has once again exposed the criminal nature of the junta that usurped power – and the subsequent resignations of high-ranking figures within the Kiev regime.
It appears that certain Western sponsors of Kiev are keen to redirect Ukrainian society’s attention towards these high-profile attacks on civilian targets. They are attempting to present a demoralised Ukrainian public with yet another illusory “victory” to obscure the crumbling front in the special military operation zone and the frankly dire condition of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
We also see a direct link between these attacks and attempts to hinder ongoing international efforts to achieve a sustainable peace. <...>
The Kiev regime’s terrorist acts are a deliberate signal to those currently seeking a negotiated solution, including in the context of Donald Trump’s recent initiatives.
☝️ We call on all sober-minded parties to condemn the terrorist attacks committed in the Black Sea on November 28 and 29, which jeopardise the safety of navigation in this vital waterway, and to give a proper assessment of the destructive actions of the Kiev regime and its handlers.
❤2😢1
This media is not supported in your browser
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
🎉 31 DAYS UNTIL NEW YEAR 2026 🎉
Only 31 days left until we step into a brand-new year — and in Russia, the magic of December is already in the air! ✨
Across Russia, December begins with the ritual of planning: choosing gifts, bookmarking recipes, and pulling boxes of decorations from closets. Cities start to glow – Moscow’s avenues already shine with early garlands, and St. Petersburg looks cinematic under the first winter lights. 🤩
The countdown officially begins!
#31DaysTo2026
Only 31 days left until we step into a brand-new year — and in Russia, the magic of December is already in the air! ✨
Across Russia, December begins with the ritual of planning: choosing gifts, bookmarking recipes, and pulling boxes of decorations from closets. Cities start to glow – Moscow’s avenues already shine with early garlands, and St. Petersburg looks cinematic under the first winter lights. 🤩
The countdown officially begins!
#31DaysTo2026
❤4🔥1
📚 Institute for African Studies' Scholars Join South African Book Presentation
The Institute for African Studies hosted an expert discussion with prominent academics from the Republic of South Africa, joined by members of the Institute’s Council of Young Scientists.
The key topics included South Africa’s domestic economic and political agenda, as well as the country’s role within #BRICS.
The invited speakers were:
🇿🇦 Mr. Sefali Thabo Christopher, representative of the World African Consortium;
🇿🇦Prof. Tshilidzi Ratshitanga, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Johannesburg;
🇿🇦 Prof. Carol Chi Ngang, Research Fellow at the Centre for Human Rights, University of the Free State.
👉 Prof. Tshilidzi Ratshitanga presented his monograph “New Cities, New Economies,” exploring the consequences of apartheid policies and ways to rebuild urban spaces across Africa.
Based on Russian Institute for African Studies material
The Institute for African Studies hosted an expert discussion with prominent academics from the Republic of South Africa, joined by members of the Institute’s Council of Young Scientists.
The key topics included South Africa’s domestic economic and political agenda, as well as the country’s role within #BRICS.
The invited speakers were:
🇿🇦 Mr. Sefali Thabo Christopher, representative of the World African Consortium;
🇿🇦Prof. Tshilidzi Ratshitanga, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Johannesburg;
🇿🇦 Prof. Carol Chi Ngang, Research Fellow at the Centre for Human Rights, University of the Free State.
👉 Prof. Tshilidzi Ratshitanga presented his monograph “New Cities, New Economies,” exploring the consequences of apartheid policies and ways to rebuild urban spaces across Africa.
Based on Russian Institute for African Studies material
👍2
🗓️ On Dec 1, 1896, Georgy Zhukov was born, a prominent Soviet commander, four-time Hero of the Soviet Union, also known as the Marshal of Victory.
His highly successful military career included serving in the Red Army during the Russian Civil War, a decisive victory over Japanese forces at the Battle of Khalkhin Gol in 1939, and his appointment as chief of the Red Army's General Staff in 1941.
Georgy Zhukov played a pivotal role in the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany during World War II. A strategic thinker, he was instrumental in key battles such as the defense of Leningrad, Moscow, and Stalingrad, and in planning and coordinating major offensives like the Battle of Kursk and Operation Bagration.
His leadership of the 1st Belarusian Front in the Battle of Berlin was critical to the final defeat of Germany, and in recognition of his contributions, he accepted the German Instrument of Surrender and presided over the 1945 Moscow Victory Parade.
⭐️ Georgy Zhukov became Marshal of the Soviet Union in 1943, following his role in the Leningrad siege, received the second and third "Hero of the Soviet Union" titles in 1944 and 1945, and was awarded two "Pobeda" orders during the war. His post-war career included attending the Potsdam Conference and serving as the Minister of Defence from 1955 to 1957.
💭In his memoires, Georgy Zhukov wrote:
#Victory80
His highly successful military career included serving in the Red Army during the Russian Civil War, a decisive victory over Japanese forces at the Battle of Khalkhin Gol in 1939, and his appointment as chief of the Red Army's General Staff in 1941.
Georgy Zhukov played a pivotal role in the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany during World War II. A strategic thinker, he was instrumental in key battles such as the defense of Leningrad, Moscow, and Stalingrad, and in planning and coordinating major offensives like the Battle of Kursk and Operation Bagration.
His leadership of the 1st Belarusian Front in the Battle of Berlin was critical to the final defeat of Germany, and in recognition of his contributions, he accepted the German Instrument of Surrender and presided over the 1945 Moscow Victory Parade.
⭐️ Georgy Zhukov became Marshal of the Soviet Union in 1943, following his role in the Leningrad siege, received the second and third "Hero of the Soviet Union" titles in 1944 and 1945, and was awarded two "Pobeda" orders during the war. His post-war career included attending the Potsdam Conference and serving as the Minister of Defence from 1955 to 1957.
💭In his memoires, Georgy Zhukov wrote:
Serving Motherland and my people was something that mattered the most for me. And I can say with a clear conscience that I did everything to fulfil my duty… I have lived my life knowing that I am serving the people – there can be nothing more important than that for anyone.
#Victory80
❤3👍3
❄️ Today is #AntarcticaDay.
On this date in 1959, the Antarctic Treaty was signed. Twelve countries became parties to this historic document: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Russia (the USSR).
Today, the number of parties has grown to 58, and interest in the region continues to rise.
☝️ The Treaty became the first international legal instrument to declare an entire continent a zone of peace and science, free of nuclear and other types of weapons and prohibiting any military activity.
For Russia, the southern polar region has always held special significance, beginning with its discovery by the Russian expedition of Faddey Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev in 1820–1822. Russian diplomats and experts played an active role in drafting both the Antarctic Treaty itself and subsequent ATS documents.
Happy Antarctica Day!
On this date in 1959, the Antarctic Treaty was signed. Twelve countries became parties to this historic document: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Russia (the USSR).
Today, the number of parties has grown to 58, and interest in the region continues to rise.
☝️ The Treaty became the first international legal instrument to declare an entire continent a zone of peace and science, free of nuclear and other types of weapons and prohibiting any military activity.
For Russia, the southern polar region has always held special significance, beginning with its discovery by the Russian expedition of Faddey Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev in 1820–1822. Russian diplomats and experts played an active role in drafting both the Antarctic Treaty itself and subsequent ATS documents.
Happy Antarctica Day!
👍3❤1
🌍✍️ 30 ноября в школе при Посольстве России в ЮАР состоялась традиционная международная просветительская акция «Географический диктант».
В мероприятии приняли участие 30 человек, в их числе – сотрудники российской дипмиссии, а также учащиеся и преподавательский состав школы при Посольстве.
«Географический диктант» ежегодно проводится Русским географическим обществом по инициативе Президента Российской Федерации В.В.Путина.
Основной целью акции является популяризация географических знаний и повышение интереса к географии России.
#ГеографическийДиктант2025
В мероприятии приняли участие 30 человек, в их числе – сотрудники российской дипмиссии, а также учащиеся и преподавательский состав школы при Посольстве.
«Географический диктант» ежегодно проводится Русским географическим обществом по инициативе Президента Российской Федерации В.В.Путина.
Основной целью акции является популяризация географических знаний и повышение интереса к географии России.
#ГеографическийДиктант2025
👍3❤1
Join us for an Online Information Session on the Russian Government Scholarship Programme 2026/27! 🇷🇺📚
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), in partnership with the Embassy of the Russian Federation in South Africa, invites prospective students to discover fully funded opportunities for undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD studies in Russia.
🎙️ Featuring presentations from:
MGIMO University and Tomsk State University
🗓️ Date: 05 December 2025
⏰ Time: 11:00 – 12:00
💻 Platform: Microsoft Teams
🔗 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/ypjdwefp
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about exciting academic pathways and funded study options across Russian institutions.
#StudyInRussia #RussianEducation
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), in partnership with the Embassy of the Russian Federation in South Africa, invites prospective students to discover fully funded opportunities for undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD studies in Russia.
🎙️ Featuring presentations from:
MGIMO University and Tomsk State University
🗓️ Date: 05 December 2025
⏰ Time: 11:00 – 12:00
💻 Platform: Microsoft Teams
🔗 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/ypjdwefp
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about exciting academic pathways and funded study options across Russian institutions.
#StudyInRussia #RussianEducation
👍2
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 President of Russia Vladimir Putin's answers to media questions (December 2, 2025, Moscow)
Read in full
❓ Question: In a few hours you will meet Stephen Witkoff, who has travelled to Moscow specifically for the negotiating process. In fact, it now involves only the American Side. Why are the Europeans silent, why are they so detached from this process?
💬 Vladimir Putin: The Europeans are not silent. They are offended that they have supposedly been excluded from the negotiating process. Let me be clear: no one excluded them – they excluded themselves. At one point we maintained close contact with them, and then they abruptly cut off relations with Russia.
Why did they do this? Because they adopted the idea of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia and, apparently, still live under this illusion. Although they understand – rationally understand – that this is long in the past, that it was impossible. They mistook wishful thinking for reality at the time, but cannot and do not want to admit it to themselves. They removed themselves from this process – that is the first point.
The second point – seeing that they are also unhappy with today’s outcome, they have started to hinder the efforts of the current US Administration and President Trump to achieve peace through negotiations.
They refused peace talks themselves, and now they are obstructing President Trump.
The third point – they have no peace agenda, as they are on the side of war. And even when they ostensibly try to introduce some adjustments to President Trump’s proposals – we see this clearly – all these adjustments are aimed at one thing only: to block the entire peace process, to put forward demands that are absolutely unacceptable to Russia (and they know this), and then to blame Russia for derailing the peace process. That is their goal.
If they wish to align themselves with reality – with the situation that exists “on the ground”, as they say – they are welcome. We do not rule this out.
❓ Question: Péter Szijjártó said today that Europe could find itself in a state of war with Russia. He says NATO, its European part, plans to bring its troops to full combat readiness by 2029, and that by 2030 there is a risk of armed conflict. Are we preparing for anything of this kind?
💬 Vladimir Putin: We have no intention to fight Europe – I have said this a hundred times. But if Europe suddenly decides it wants a war with us and starts one, we are ready right now. There can be no doubt about that.
The only question is this: if Europe does start a war with us, I believe events might escalate very quickly. This won't be Ukraine. In Ukraine, we are acting with surgical precision, carefully. It is not a "war" in the direct, modern sense of the word.
But if Europe were to start a war with us, the situation could very quickly reach a point where there is... simply no one left for us to negotiate with.
❓ Question: Could you comment on the attacks on tankers off the coast of Türkiye? There was another such incident today.
💬 Vladimir Putin: The Ukrainian armed forces have previously tried to strike our seaports. We responded – we did not initiate these operations – with similar strikes. This primarily concerned vessels delivering military equipment, hardware, and ammunition to Ukraine. Ukraine’s armed forces have crossed into piracy.
What response measures are available to us?
❗️ We will expand the range of our strikes against port facilities and against vessels and ships entering Ukrainian ports.
If this continues, we will consider – I am not saying we will do it, but we will consider – taking retaliatory measures against ships of those countries that assist Ukraine in carrying out these piracy attacks.
The most radical option is to cut Ukraine off from the sea entirely. That would make piracy impossible in principle. But all this would be escalatory.
I hope that the Ukrainian military and political leadership, as well as those standing behind them, will reflect on whether it is worth continuing this practice.
Read in full
❓ Question: In a few hours you will meet Stephen Witkoff, who has travelled to Moscow specifically for the negotiating process. In fact, it now involves only the American Side. Why are the Europeans silent, why are they so detached from this process?
💬 Vladimir Putin: The Europeans are not silent. They are offended that they have supposedly been excluded from the negotiating process. Let me be clear: no one excluded them – they excluded themselves. At one point we maintained close contact with them, and then they abruptly cut off relations with Russia.
Why did they do this? Because they adopted the idea of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia and, apparently, still live under this illusion. Although they understand – rationally understand – that this is long in the past, that it was impossible. They mistook wishful thinking for reality at the time, but cannot and do not want to admit it to themselves. They removed themselves from this process – that is the first point.
The second point – seeing that they are also unhappy with today’s outcome, they have started to hinder the efforts of the current US Administration and President Trump to achieve peace through negotiations.
They refused peace talks themselves, and now they are obstructing President Trump.
The third point – they have no peace agenda, as they are on the side of war. And even when they ostensibly try to introduce some adjustments to President Trump’s proposals – we see this clearly – all these adjustments are aimed at one thing only: to block the entire peace process, to put forward demands that are absolutely unacceptable to Russia (and they know this), and then to blame Russia for derailing the peace process. That is their goal.
If they wish to align themselves with reality – with the situation that exists “on the ground”, as they say – they are welcome. We do not rule this out.
❓ Question: Péter Szijjártó said today that Europe could find itself in a state of war with Russia. He says NATO, its European part, plans to bring its troops to full combat readiness by 2029, and that by 2030 there is a risk of armed conflict. Are we preparing for anything of this kind?
💬 Vladimir Putin: We have no intention to fight Europe – I have said this a hundred times. But if Europe suddenly decides it wants a war with us and starts one, we are ready right now. There can be no doubt about that.
The only question is this: if Europe does start a war with us, I believe events might escalate very quickly. This won't be Ukraine. In Ukraine, we are acting with surgical precision, carefully. It is not a "war" in the direct, modern sense of the word.
But if Europe were to start a war with us, the situation could very quickly reach a point where there is... simply no one left for us to negotiate with.
❓ Question: Could you comment on the attacks on tankers off the coast of Türkiye? There was another such incident today.
💬 Vladimir Putin: The Ukrainian armed forces have previously tried to strike our seaports. We responded – we did not initiate these operations – with similar strikes. This primarily concerned vessels delivering military equipment, hardware, and ammunition to Ukraine. Ukraine’s armed forces have crossed into piracy.
What response measures are available to us?
❗️ We will expand the range of our strikes against port facilities and against vessels and ships entering Ukrainian ports.
If this continues, we will consider – I am not saying we will do it, but we will consider – taking retaliatory measures against ships of those countries that assist Ukraine in carrying out these piracy attacks.
The most radical option is to cut Ukraine off from the sea entirely. That would make piracy impossible in principle. But all this would be escalatory.
I hope that the Ukrainian military and political leadership, as well as those standing behind them, will reflect on whether it is worth continuing this practice.
👍1