🎙 Russian MFA Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to a media question on the freezing of Russian assets by the EU (December 13, 2025)

❓ Question: How does Russia view the freezing of our assets, and does it intend to take retaliatory steps? If so, what kind?

💬 Maria Zakharova: Using Russia’s sovereign assets without its consent, be it through their indefinite freeze, expropriation, or attempts to palm off their actual confiscation as a “reparation loan”, is a completely unlawful act and a flagrant violation of international law.

☝️ Whatever pseudo-legal tricks Brussels may use to justify this, it amounts to blatant, outright theft.

We recall that Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever– and it is precisely in Belgium that the Euroclear depository is registered, which currently holds the bulk of Russian assets and, consequently, Belgium would suffer most from their de facto confiscation – compared the European Commission’s initiative to “stealing furniture from a foreign embassy”. 👉 A vivid and accurate description.

Attempts to showcase the EU’s much-vaunted “unity” through a decision to indefinitely block the assets of the Bank of Russia have failed spectacularly.

Representatives of a number of EU member states have openly declared their categorical rejection of the blatantly fraudulent scheme engineered by the European Commission with the backing of aggressively Russophobic EU capitals against Russian assets.

The EU’s approach to Russia has long departed from rationality and now increasingly borders on the absurd.

📉 The course of inflicting damage on our country at any cost has already led to dire economic consequences within the EU itself: near-zero economic growth, rapidly rising public debt and budget deficits, declining output and de-industrialisation amid soaring energy costs.

One would think Brussels should have calmed down and come to its senses by now, yet there are no signs of this. The current EU leadership remains gripped by Russophobia and an unhealthy urge to undermine Russian interests in every sphere and on every platform – even where the EU seemingly has no place.

It is increasingly apparent that Ursula von der Leyen and her associates are determined to derail efforts aimed at a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian crisis, by whatever means necessary. Hence the haste and the timing of the decision on Russian assets – a direct strike against the peace initiatives of US President Donald Trump.

It is telling that the European Commission justifies its proposals for the unlawful use of Russian assets by referring to EU legal provisions allowing for emergency measures in the event of a severe economic situation within the EU itself.

👉 Thus, the EU is exposing itself: this is not merely about financing a failed Ukrainian project, but also about a clear attempt to prop up its own economy at the expense of billions in Russian state reserves. The EU has effectively admitted that the Ukrainian burden has become unbearable, forcing it to resort to theft.

Brussels carefully conceals the fact that EU citizens will pay the price for these political ambitions. Our retaliatory measures will not be long in coming.

A detailed statement on this matter was published by the Bank of Russia on December 12. Specific steps are already being implemented.

On the same day, the Russian regulator notified of the filing of a lawsuit with the Moscow Arbitration Court against Euroclear to recover damages incurred by the Bank of Russia.

As for the EU itself, it will be unable to compensate for the damage these actions will inflict on its own financial and economic system – and on its reputation worldwide as a once reliable trade and investment partner.

❗️Such delicts in international relations do not go without consequences.

🇿🇦 Happy Reconciliation Day, South Africa!

This day is of great historical significance.

It was celebrated separately by various national groups in South Africa and was known as the day commemorating the Battle of Blood River in 1838 and the day of formation of Umkonto we Sizwe in 1961. The significance of all the traditions was acknowledged when the Day of Reconciliation was established.

This year’s theme: “Reaffirming Reconciliation for Future Generations”.

Reconciliation is also about each person taking the responsibility to fight racism, discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in the country and in the world.

🎉 Today, we sincerely wish all South Africans peace, harmony and unity!

🩰🤩 On December 13, staff of the Russian Embassy in South Africa attended a wonderful performance of the legendary classics - Tchaikovsky’s ‘Nutcracker’ at the Roodepoort Theater in Pretoria.

🤝 We thank the talented Youth Russian Ballet Company and its brilliant director, Mrs. Yana Auger, for the opportunity to witness such a great performance of this magical story, which created a truly New Year's atmosphere and demonstrated the remarkable talent and dedication of the young dancers!

#RussianBallet
#Nutctracker

🤩 On December 13, the Roodepoort Theatre created the festive New Year’s mood by presenting its version of the classic ballet set to the music of the great Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky.

It has become a kind and cherished tradition of the Russian School of Ballet and its director Mrs.Yana Auger to celebrate cultural heritage through classical dance ahead of the Christmas Eve in South Africa.

Children from the New Jerusalem orphanage in Midrand also attended the performance, making the day especially meaningful and joyful for all involved.

🤝 We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Russian community for their continued support and assistance in organizing the event. The Embassy highly appreciates these kind initiatives that bring communities together, especially during the holidays in a true Christmas spirit.

#RussianBallet
#Nutctracker

🩰🤩 His Excellency Mr. Roman Ambarov, the Russian Ambassador to South Africa, had the pleasure of attending a breathtaking performance of “The Nutcracker Ballet”.

He emphasized the enduring beauty and relevance of Russian ballet, which enjoys universal popularity, including here in South Africa.

Roman Ambarov shared his impressions:

“The Nutcracker ballet is an everlasting Christmas classic. Today we saw it in such a colourful and sophisticated performance. Bravo! We are proud that the traditions of classical Russian ballet continue with such soul and beauty here in South Africa, far from the snowy cities of Russia.”

#RussianBallet

🎉 15 DAYS UNTIL NEW YEAR 2026 🎉

Two weeks until the biggest holiday of the year!

Russians are stocking up on ingredients for Olivier salad and “Shuba” (Fur Coat Salad), planning family dinners, and choosing sparkling dresses for the celebration.

❄️ Meanwhile, Siberian and Far Eastern cities, where in some places the temperature has already dropped below –40°C, shine in their unique way – crisp air, deep snow, and skies full of stars.

🤩 Every corner of Russia looks magical in December.

Video: @andrewbazanov

#15DaysTo2026

⚡️ Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation:

The Press Bureau of the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation (SVR) reports that, according to intelligence received by the SVR, Britain’s top leadership is desperately pressing Brussels, in contacts with EU officials, to take a decision to steal the Russian funds frozen at the Belgian depository Euroclear.

Beyond financing Ukraine’s continued war effort, London is pursuing another objective. 👇

The British hope that if these funds do not end up in Washington’s hands, the White House will lose interest in pursuing a “flawed deal” with Moscow. This, in their view, would make it possible to use Kiev against Russia “to the last Ukrainian” without any obstacles.

Senior British officials are conveying false information to Brussels-based EU bureaucrats, claiming that Donald Trump is allegedly seeking a compromise with Moscow in pursuit of financial gain.

It is asserted that Russia supposedly promised the White House to channel its sovereign assets immobilized in Europe into joint projects. This, they say, serves as an important incentive for Trump to promote a Russia-agreed peace initiative on Ukraine.

London is urging the European Commission to justify the theft of Russian funds by exploiting “loopholes” in the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, as well as by invoking the onset of emergency circumstances.

Opposition within the EU is proposed to be disregarded.

Another lever of pressure on the White House, according to the British officials’ plan, is to be blackmailing the Americans with the prospect of Europe moving closer to China. It has been agreed that London, Paris and Berlin will send signals to Washington about their readiness to drift towards Beijing if the US continues to push a Ukraine deal unacceptable to Europeans.

It is well known that lies, plunder and piracy once formed the foundations of the British Empire’s power. Although the former greatness of the UK has long faded into history, appropriation of others’ property and deception remain the guiding principles of the so-called London gentlemen.

👉 However, times have changed irrevocably, and London must realize that crimes will carry consequences.

🎙 Statement by President of Russia Vladimir Putin at the expanded meeting of Russia's Ministry of Defence Board (December 17, 2025, Moscow)

Key points:

• 2025 has become an important milestone in addressing the objectives of the special military operation. The Russian Armed Forces have secured and firmly maintain the strategic initiative along the entire line of contact.

• In 2025, more than 300 settlements have already been liberated, including major cities that had been turned by the adversary into fortified strongholds.

🇷🇺🇰🇵 I would also like to note our North Korean combat comrades. By decision of Comrade Chairman of the State Affairs of the DPRK Kim Jong-un, they were dispatched to take part in the liberation of the Kursk region and, shoulder to shoulder with Russian servicemen, fought the enemy with valour and courage. They took part in large-scale and extremely complex efforts to clear mines from the liberated Kursk region.

• Successful tests have been conducted of the Burevestnik strategic cruise missile with unlimited range and the Poseidon unmanned underwater vehicle. Thanks to the use of a nuclear power unit, these systems will remain unique and unmatched for a long time, ensuring strategic parity, Russia’s security and its global standing for decades to come. We will continue working on these systems – refining, upgrading and improving them – but they already exist. By the end of 2025, an intermediate-range missile system equipped with the Oreshnik hypersonic missile will be placed on combat duty.

❗️ Russia has always, even in the most difficult circumstances, as long as there was even the slightest chance – sought diplomatic solutions to contradictions and conflicts. Responsibility for the fact that these chances were not used lies entirely with those who believed that it was possible to speak to us in the language of force.

• We stand for building mutually beneficial and equal cooperation with the US and European states, and for the formation of a unified security system across the entire Eurasian region. We welcome the progress that has emerged in the dialogue with the new US Administration. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the current leadership of most European countries.

• We are fully aware that in any international environment, our Armed Forces remain the key guarantor of Russia’s sovereignty and independence, its security and future, and of strategic parity. We must work consistently to strengthen them.

• Immediately after the collapse of the Soviet Union, it seemed to us that we would very quickly become part of the so-called civilized family of European nations. Instead, Russia continued to be pressed from all sides – increasingly so. Virtually everything concerning Russia was decided from a position of force. They would pat us on the shoulder and invite us to various events, yet when it came to their interests vis-à-vis Russia, the West pushed them through by force, including by military means.

• President Trump says that if he had been President at the time, the conflict in Ukraine would not have happened. Perhaps that is so, because the previous US Administration deliberately steered the events towards an armed conflict.

👉 The objectives of the special military operation will undoubtedly be achieved. We would prefer to do so and to eliminate the root causes of the conflict through diplomatic means. However, if the opposing side and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in a substantive dialogue, Russia will secure the liberation of its historical lands by military means. Efforts to establish and expand a security buffer zone will continue on a systematic basis.

Read in full

📰 Article by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for African media dedicated to the Second Ministerial Conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum (December 18, 2025)

"Russia–Africa: New Horizons for Old Friends"

✍️ Cairo will soon host [December 19-20] an important political event: heads and officials of the foreign ministries of Russia and the African countries will gather in the hospitable capital of Egypt to assess the state of Russian–African relations and set out the ways of their development.

For the first time, the ministerial conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum, which is the official name of our meeting, will take place on the African continent. We are glad that a year ago, during the first such conference in the Russian city of Sochi, our partners responded to the proposal to host the Ministerial Conference in 2025.

The work of the Forum is crucial for promoting the full range of Russian–African relations; it organically complements and enriches Russia's relations with the African countries which are developing dynamically on a bilateral basis as well.

African friends remember, and we appreciate it, that our country, it was the Soviet Union back then, supported their desire to break free from the shackles of colonial dependence.

We are proud that our predecessors provided this assistance selflessly and with dedication.

It was the Soviet Union that played the key role in the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples exactly 65 years ago. After that Moscow has consistently contributed to the formation of young African States, their national economies, and the establishment of education and healthcare systems. <...>

🌍 Russia appreciates that Africa's reawakening. In the middle of last century, the struggle culminated in decolonization, and now the African people are fighting for making all areas of their life sovereign. We fully support this fight.

It is symbolic that at the UN & other international platforms Russia has been actively calling for enhanced efforts to eradicate modern practices of neo-colonialism.<...>

It is important for us that Africa seeks to speak with a common voice in the international arena.

Russian diplomacy will contribute to the development of the African continent as an influential centre of a multipolar world. This priority is enshrined in the Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation. We believe that it is the inalienable right of African countries to independently determine the ways and models of their development and to choose international partners.

💬 As Russia's President Vladimir Putin said:

We have virtually no disagreements with any African countries and the level of trust and mutual affinity is high, mainly because our relations with Africa have never been tarnished. We have never been involved in the exploitation of African peoples.

Russia and Africa are natural allies in the process of democratization of international relations on the principles of the UN Charter in their integrity, entirety and interconnection. <...>

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia pays special attention to the maintenance of peace and security in Africa as a necessary condition for its social and economic progress. In the spirit of the "African solutions to African problems" concept, we are contributing to the settlement of regional conflicts and enhanced potential of the States of the continent to combat terrorism. <...>

Africa's importance to Russia is marked by the expansion of our diplomatic presence on the continent. Embassies in Niger, Sierra Leone and South Sudan have been opened this year. Next are new diplomatic missions in Gambia, Liberia, Togo and the Comoros. <...>

🤝 Russia is a long-standing and trusted friend of Africa. The values of collectivism, solidarity, and mutual assistance are at the core of the Russian cultural code, which is generally in line with the African philosophy of Ubuntu – "I exist because we exist".

Read the article in full

#RussiaAfrica

🛬 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrives in Cairo (Egypt) to take part in the Second Ministerial Conference of the #RussiaAfrica Partnership Forum. Bilateral meetings with a number of African counterparts are planned on the sidelines of the conference.

#Announcement

On December 19–20, the Second Ministerial Conference of the #Russia–#Africa Partnership Forum will be held in Cairo, Egypt.

This dialogue format, established by the decision of the Second Russia–Africa Summit (St. Petersburg, July 27–28, 2023), is intended to ensure coordination in implementing the tasks set by heads of state, governments, and organizations in order to achieve practical results in Russia–Africa cooperation.

🤝 Trade, economic cooperation, and investment issues will take center stage on the agenda of the Second Ministerial Conference. Participants of the event will also discuss the progress in implementing the Action Plan and develop concrete steps to ensure its full implementation.

The Conference will be the first event of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum to be held on African soil and a key stage in preparations for the Third Russia–Africa Summit, scheduled for 2026.

#RussiaAfrica

🔴 #LIVE: 2025 Annual News Conference and Direct Line with the people of Russia by President Vladimir Putin

Russia's Head of State holds the yearly 'Direct Line' call-in session for the Russian citizens and journalists on the 2025 outcomes

🔴 Ruptly

🔴 Kremlin.News