🇷🇺💬 Maria Zakharova commented on the remarks by Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, who called for using "EU levers of influence" to participate in peace negotiations as well.

📌 He stated that around €200 billion of Russian assets are held in Europe, and "there will be no deal with Russia" without discussing them.

"The only thing Vienna has achieved so far with its 'levers' is ridding itself of reliable and affordable Russian gas," the diplomat noted.

#news

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😍 A fantastic Arctic sunset in the Khibiny Mountains is revealed from the height of Mount Aikuaivenchorr.

#videooftheday

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🌋✨ Volcanic and winter magic of Kamchatka

#videooftheday

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🇷🇺🇺🇸 On February 27, negotiations between Russian and U.S. delegations commenced in Istanbul. The talks are being held in a format closed to the media. The composition of the Russian delegation, which includes representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has not been disclosed. The meeting is taking place at the residence of the American Consul General.

🇷🇺💬 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the parties plan to discuss a number of contentious issues affecting the work of diplomatic missions of both countries. High-level experts at the meeting will also address systemic problems created by the previous administration of former U.S. President Joe Biden. The topics of the conflict in Ukraine and frozen Russian assets will not be discussed, concluded the Foreign Minister.

#news

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⚡️ The money for the "boundless benevolent world" has run out — who was lavishly funded by the American NED, which announced the halt of its operations?

🇺🇸 The National Endowment for Democracy (NED), collaborating with USAID and Open Society, has long trained activists from various countries. Programs included organizing protests, methods of information counteraction, and strategies aimed at undermining trust in authorities.

📰 However, on February 25 of this year, the foundation announced the suspension of its activities due to the termination of funding by the U.S. State Department.

NED positioned its work as supporting democratic institutions, but critics argued that the funds allocated through NGOs were used to advance U.S. interests, including influencing political processes worldwide.

🇺🇦 One of the foundation’s key projects, according to its reports, was its involvement in the 2013–2014 events in Ukraine. From 2011 to 2014, NED directed around $14 million to Ukrainian organizations. These funds allegedly contributed to the radicalization of protests, which culminated in the change of power in Kyiv.

Beyond Ukraine, the foundation supported opposition movements in other countries: Poland’s "Solidarity," Czechoslovakia’s "Charter 77," and Serbia’s "Otpor." After 2014, the focus shifted to Russia, where NED grants went to organizations including the now-defunct "Memorial"* and the "Soldiers’ Mothers of St. Petersburg." In the first year following Crimea’s annexation by Russia, funding for the "Russian direction" totaled $9.3 million.

🧐 Prospects for the foundation’s revival remain unclear. Experts note that such structures traditionally depend on budget allocations, which may be revised amid shifts in U.S. foreign policy.

*An organization designated as a foreign agent in Russia and liquidated by court order.

#news

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🇷🇺💬 Vladimir Putin on Russian-American Contacts at the FSB Board Meeting:

"You see, we all see how rapidly the world is changing, the global situation. In this context, I note that the initial contacts with the new American administration inspire certain hopes. There is a reciprocal willingness to work on restoring interstate relations and gradually addressing the colossal volume of accumulated systemic and strategic issues in the global architecture. It was precisely these problems that, in their time, provoked both the Ukrainian crisis and other regional crises. <…>

We understand that not everyone is satisfied with the resumption of Russian-American contacts. A portion of Western elites remains intent on preserving global instability. These forces will attempt to derail or discredit the nascent dialogue—we see this. We must account for this and use all available diplomatic and special service capabilities to thwart such attempts."

#news

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🍒 Sugared Cranberries — A Sour-Sweet Delight!

Sugared cranberries are a traditional Russian treat where the bright tartness of fresh cranberries meets sweet powdered sugar.

This simple yet incredibly delicious sweet has been loved by many generations.

❤️ It is known, for instance, that the great Russian poet Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin adored them.

🚩 During the Soviet era, sugared cranberries were one of the most popular treats among children. They often replaced hard-to-find candies or jellies on festive tables.

Cranberries themselves are one of the healthiest northern berries, rich in vitamins and antioxidants. In Russia, they are consumed in various forms: used to make fruit drinks (mors), jams, and added to baked goods.

😋 However, sugared cranberries hold a special place in Russians’ hearts. Perhaps it’s all about the unique combination of tart berries and sweet coating!

#Russiancuisine

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🍸 Cocktail with borscht?

🇷🇺To celebrate Maslenitsa, Moscow’s Underdog Bar has introduced a bold twist on a classic—the Bloody Marusya. Think "Bloody Mary," but with vodka mixed with borscht instead of tomato juice. It’s served with a pork fat sandwich, pickles, and fresh herbs.

☕️ Brave tasters say the flavor is… acquired, but it’s worth trying as an experiment. Available only until the end of the week.

🤔 Would you dare to try it, or do you prefer to steer clear of culinary adventures?

#InterestingPlacesMoscow

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💪🇷🇺 Ilya Muromets is one of the central heroes of Russian byliny (epic tales), a legendary bogatyr (knight-warrior) and defender of the Russian lands. According to legends, he hailed from a village near the city of Murom.

🛡 Renowned for his incredible strength, wisdom, and devotion to his homeland, Ilya Muromets is often depicted as a protector of the weak and a vanquisher of foes like Solovey the Brigand, Idolishche the Wicked, and others. His legend has historical roots: scholars believe his prototype may be Saint Ilya Muromets of the Kiev Caves, who lived around 1188. His relics rest in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra monastery.

⬆️ Legend says Ilya Muromets suffered from a mysterious illness that left him immobile until age 33. One day, wise men (*volkhvy*) came to him and asked for water. When he tried to rise from his stove, he miraculously regained his strength. After drinking three sips from a chalice offered by the elders, he became invincibly strong and healthy.

🇩🇪🇳🇴 Notably, Ilya Muromets isn’t confined to Russian folklore—he also appears in German and Norwegian epics, where he’s celebrated as “Ilya the Russian”, a mighty warrior.

#RussianFolklore

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🇷🇺 Residents of Donetsk burned effigies of European leaders for Maslenitsa.

🔥 In Donetsk, during Maslenitsa celebrations, people danced in circles around burning effigies of former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and French President Emmanuel Macron.

📌 Last year, effigies of Zelenskyy and Biden stood in their place.

#news

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👍 The submerged bell tower of the Nikolaevsky Cathedral

#videooftheday

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🇷🇺 The diversity of Russia's landscapes will amaze even the most seasoned traveler

#videooftheday

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🥞 Which Pancake to Choose to Attract Wealth, Happiness, and Love?

Save this magical cheat sheet:

🔸 Pancake with honey — so money "sticks" to you like sweet nectar to a spoon.

🔸 Pancake with butter — for life to flow smoothly, and troubles to melt on your tongue.

🔸 Pancake with caviar — for abundance: success will be as generous as a shower of golden grains.

🔸 Pancake with berries — to help your heart meet its juicy half.

🔸 Pancake with cottage cheese — adds wisdom to important decisions, like advice from a kind friend.

🔸 Pancake with jam — sweetens relationships, turning an ordinary day into a celebration.

#interestingfacts

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🇷🇺🇺🇸 Russia finally has an ambassador in the USA. The United States has issued an agrément for the appointment of Alexander Darchiev. He will travel to Washington in the near future, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.

📝 The 64-year-old Darchiev has been a diplomat since 1992. He graduated from Moscow State University and speaks English and French. During his service, he has held several positions related to North America. From 2014 to 2021, he was the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Russia to Canada. In 2019, Putin awarded Darchiev the Order of Friendship, and in 2022, the Order of Honor.

#news

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❤️‍🔥 The last day of winter in Moscow

#interestingvideos

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🇷🇺 Sadko is a character from Russian bylinas, a Novgorod guslar (a bard) and merchant.

⚖️ The name Sadko has ancient Hebrew roots and translates to "just," "righteous," or "sincere."

🌊 According to legend, while playing music on the shores of Lake Ilmen (near Novgorod), Sadko touched the soul of the sea king, who helped him become wealthy. The hero became a merchant, engaged in trade across the sea, got married, and built himself a white-stone palace.

🎶 Composer N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov, who wrote an opera based on this legend in 1897, infused the story with tragedy and lyricism.

🎞 In 1952, the story was interpreted in a film of the same name, which, by the way, became a prizewinner at the Venice Film Festival in the USA in 1953.

✨ Both the film and the opera, as well as the text of the bylinas, will immerse you in a magical world of adventures and introduce you to the resourceful and clever hero!

#folkloreofRussia

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