🧐 Witkoff and Negotiations

🇺🇸 U.S. President’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff proposed an accelerated ceasefire plan for Ukraine, which includes recognizing Russian control over four New Regions, including Zaporizhzhia.

Witkoff presented the plan to Trump after meeting with Kirill Dmitriev. The Americans and all allies immediately scrambled, while other administration officials, including General Keith Kellogg, the envoy for Ukraine, opposed the proposal. They argued that Ukraine would not agree to territorial concessions.

📈 Witkoff plays a central role in the Trump administration’s foreign policy, and his influence is growing. Even before Trump took office, Witkoff helped broker a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip (which later collapsed) and negotiated the return of U.S. citizen Marc Fogel from Russia.

🇮🇷 After meeting with Putin, Witkoff is set to travel to the Middle East for talks with Iran, effectively spearheading another top foreign policy priority for Trump.

🤯 “Witkoff and Trump have committed the mortal sin of diplomacy: they’ve flaunted their desperate desire to strike a deal,” said Ned Price, former State Department spokesperson under President Joe Biden.

🇷🇺 Nevertheless, Witkoff continues to resolve issues. Even more controversially, in breach of traditional security protocols, Witkoff invited Kirill Dmitriev, who is under U.S. sanctions, to his private residence for dinner ahead of a White House meeting during Dmitriev’s recent “visit” to America.

Globally, there are “rumblings” that the Trump administration lacks a clear plan on how to proceed if Russia “continues to stall.”

For now, Witkoff’s comments have shocked many U.S. national security officials—his rhetoric essentially mirrors Russian talking points.

Maybe it’s time we start calling him “Vitya” for short? 🤔

#news

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☀️ Summer morning in St. Petersburg

#videooftheday

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🏫 The selection process for school students and college students to participate in the Big Arctic Expedition has begun in Moscow, announced Mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin.

The expedition will take place from late July to early August and last approximately two weeks.

#news

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🔵 Biden’s Foolish Policy

This epithet was used by Sergei Lavrov to describe attempts to isolate Russia during his speech at the diplomatic forum in Turkey.

In our view, the key question is why the international isolation of a major power like Russia is virtually impossible, and why all efforts in this direction will never succeed.

1) First, Russia’s advantageous economic and geographical position. When a country borders 18 states, isolation is practically unfeasible. There will always be someone willing to trade. Even during the Civil War, Soviet Russia was recognized by Turkey, as President Kemal understood the benefits of engagement.

2) Second, its defense-political weight. The U.S. administration believed it could convince the majority of countries that Russia’s compelled use of force to protect its core interests was a sign of weakness. In reality, many quickly realized the opposite: the willingness to defend oneself reflects strength.

3) Third, its extensive network of international ties. Historically, Russia has been central to global institutions and dialogue platforms—not only traditional ones like the UN or Western-aligned bodies like the Council of Europe, but also alternatives long positioned as backups: the EAEU, BRICS, SCO, and others. Russia intensified its work in these forums long before the military operation, allowing it to painlessly evade U.S. isolation attempts.

Crucially, none of these factors depend on the U.S. or its will. Thus, Lavrov’s denoscription of the Biden administration’s policy as “foolish” is entirely justified. It was naive and overconfident to try influencing matters entirely beyond their control.

#Politics

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🚀 On Cosmonautics Day, dreams become reality.

📨 Misha Serebryany from Barnaul wrote a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, asking to fly in a plane.

The National Front responded to young Misha’s request and organized a flight on a sports plane for him and his brother Ilya.

🤩 The brothers’ emotions were through the roof: for the first time, they saw Earth from a bird’s-eye view, and the plane’s maneuvers literally took their breath away.

🇷🇺 The boys, who regularly assist soldiers of the special military operation, still dream of flying with the President of Russia.

🤔 Who knows—they might even turn this dream into reality too.

#news

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🇷🇺 Dmitry Peskov, Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, took to the ice during the anniversary show of his wife Tatiana Navka on her birthday.

They danced to the song "A On Mne Nravitsya" ("But I Like Him").

#news

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🏆🇷🇺 Russian Synchronized Swimmers Triumph at World Cup

🌏 At their first international competition since 2022, Russian synchronized swimmers proved that despite their long absence, rule changes, and strict judging, they remain fully competitive on the global stage.

At the World Cup stage in Egypt, Maya Doroshko and Tatiana Gaidai delivered the best technical routine in the duet event, scoring 268.0551 points. Second place went to Ukrainians Daria Moshinskaya and Anastasia Shmonina (261.6125), while Canadians Audrey Lamothe and Jimena Ortiz Montaño claimed bronze (256.2900).

In the free program, Russia’s second duo, Anastasia Sidorina and Veronika Sokolova, won by an even larger margin, scoring 256.0388 points. Silver was awarded to Japan’s Utako Kobayashi and Tomoka Sato (248.0671), and bronze went to Spain’s Lilu Llouis Valette and Iris Tio (236.0830).

#news

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The Eagle Monument in Tazherany on Lake Baikal

🦅 Eagles often symbolize power, freedom, and unity with nature, making them popular in Russian monumental art.

#interestingfacts

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🌠 From April 16 to 25, the spring Lyrid meteor shower will be visible in Moscow.

The peak activity is expected on the night of April 22 to 23, when up to 18 meteors per hour can be seen.

#news

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🤩 The Main Temple of the Russian Armed Forces

#videooftheday

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🐸 “Make Way for Amphibians”

A volunteer initiative under this name attracted and gathered over 700 volunteers in Saint Petersburg.

🛣 The goal of the event is to help local toads safely cross a busy highway to reach the site where amphibians lay their eggs.

The Sestroretskoye Swamp Nature Reserve is home to the region’s largest population of gray toads.

🌳 With the arrival of warmer weather, their mating season begins, and the toads start migrating en masse from the forests to the eastern shore of the Sestroretsk Reservoir to lay their eggs, after which they return to the forest.

This wonderful initiative was organized to ensure the amphibians can cross the busy road safely and successfully.

#news

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🇷🇺💬 "Direct Line" will take place in 2025! This announcement was made by Russian Presidential Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

✔️ Peskov emphasized that the Direct Line has proven to be an effective feedback tool between the President and the public, carrying significant informational value. He noted that such events enable prompt responses to questions and issues of concern to Russians.

“Most importantly, it’s what the people need,” added the Kremlin representative.

📌 In 2024, the Direct Line was combined with a major press conference. The event was held on December 19 and lasted 4 hours and 27 minutes. During this time, Vladimir Putin answered 76 questions from journalists and ordinary citizens.

#news

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🇷🇺 On Olkhon Island rises the unique sculpture "Guardian of Baikal".

🌳 The statue is made of bronze and stands over 7 meters tall. Gazing at the composition, it seems as though a shaman peeks out from the tree bark, watching over everyone from the cliff.

🎶 Each bell hanging on the branches rings in unison with the wind, creating a melody that connects people with nature. This sculpture is not just an art object—it is a symbol of hope and the fulfillment of wishes.

🌏 The "Guardian of Baikal" is the work of renowned sculptor Dashi Namdakov, whose creations are scattered worldwide. They can be seen in museums in China, England, the USA, Italy, and other countries. Art critics call him the "Buryat Picasso".

📍 Location on the map

#InterestingPlacesInRussia

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🇷🇺🇧🇷 Round-the-World Voyage Under the BRICS Flag

🛥️ In Brazil, the international round-the-world expedition "Russia — Brazil — BRICS" has begun, with the yacht Fraternidade (meaning "brotherhood") setting sail.

At the helm is renowned Brazilian sailor Aleysho Belov, who has Russian-Ukrainian roots, and his right-hand man, experienced Siberian polar navigator Sergey Shcherbakov.

The crew and passengers face a 45,000-kilometer journey: the route will pass through the Northern Sea Route, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean.

Including all stops, eight people will be on board the Fraternidade — 4 Brazilians and 4 Russians.

Let’s wish them good luck! 🍀

#news

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