🇨🇳🇷🇺 China and Russia: friendship grows stronger with every phone call!

Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation today, during which they praised the two countries' strategic cooperation.

"The two leaders unanimously agreed to jointly push the two countries' relations toward even greater development," China Central Television reported.

China also welcomed contacts and improved relations between Russia and the United States.

"China is happy to see that Russia and the US are maintaining contacts, improving mutual relations and pushing forward the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis," Xi said during the phone call.

Xi Jinping emphasized that China will persistently promote reconciliation and negotiations on Ukraine.

#news

❤️From Russia with love

🍕 Pizzas and Sausages in Dough to Be Removed from School Canteens in Voronezh Region

A regional agreement has been signed under which the Ministries of Health, Physical Culture and Sports, Education, as well as the Voronezh Education and Youth Policy Department, have developed a plan to prevent excessive body weight in children and adolescents. The initial program is scheduled for 2025-2026.

The priority focus is organizing proper nutrition in schools. Sausages in dough ("sosiski v teste"), pizzas, fast food, and other high-calorie foods are being removed from canteens.

The plan also includes organizing master classes for students on cooking according to balanced nutrition standards.

#news

❤️From Russia with love

🇷🇺 The new nationwide tourist route "Great Russian Northern Way" will pass through the city of Vologda, according to the government of the Vologda region.

Tourists will be able to start their journey in Moscow and end it on the legendary Solovetsky Islands. As per the regional administration, key stops on the route include renowned historical centers of the region: Vologda, Kirillov, and Belozersk.

The project will offer an opportunity to explore unique UNESCO World Heritage sites, Orthodox churches, and traditional wooden architecture characteristic of the Russian North.

The project involves the regional administration, the Vologda Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, and the non-profit organization "Heritage of the Russian North." The initiative was first discussed at the tourism forum in St. Petersburg. The Vologda regional government plans to develop interregional routes and attract investments to enhance the appeal of the Vologda region.

#news

❤️From Russia with love

🇷🇺🇺🇸 Ushakov confirmed that Putin and Trump will meet in Alaska on August 15. The presidential aide noted that Russian and US interests converge in the Arctic and Alaska. Therefore, it is quite logical that the presidents' first meeting will take place precisely there.

‼️Moscow expects that the second meeting of the presidents will take place in Russia. Trump has already received a corresponding invitation. For now, Moscow and Washington are closely engaged in actively working out the parameters of the Alaska meeting - the process will be complex, Ushakov noted.

#news

❤️From Russia with love

Against the backdrop of the Putin-Trump meeting in Alaska, we've prepared 10 facts about this place for you:

🤗 Alaska was called Russian America. It was discovered during the Second Kamchatka Expedition.

🤗 Its capital was Novo-Arkhangelsk. Today, this is Sitka in southeastern Alaska.

🤗 The distance between Russia and the US is only 4 km. This refers to Big Diomede Island (Russia) and Little Diomede Island (USA).

🤗 There is a 21-hour time difference between the islands. They are separated by the International Date Line. That's why they are sometimes called Tomorrow Island and Yesterday Island.

🤗 The Orthodox faith has been preserved in Alaska. Dozens of Orthodox churches operate in the state. Up to 10% of the population are Orthodox, mainly Chukchi and Aleuts.

🤗 The first saint of America was the Russian monk Herman of Alaska. He arrived at the end of the 18th century, defended the rights of indigenous peoples, and is considered the patron saint of Alaska.

🤗 Descendants of Russian colonists still live in Alaska. Some residents have Russian surnames, and words and traditions are preserved in remote villages. Even well into the 20th and early 21st centuries, the Russian tradition of shouting "Gorko!" (Bitter!) at weddings persisted.

🤗 Russian speech and toponyms remain in place names. For example: Kodiak (from Kodiak Island), Kenai, Iliamna, Alexander Archipelago, and others.

🤗 On March 30, 1867, Russia sold Alaska to the USA for $7.2 million.

🤗 Lend-Lease between the USSR and the USA also went through Alaska. Many aircraft were ferried along this route.

#interestingfacts

❤️From Russia with love

🇷🇺 Vladimir Putin will become the first leader in Russia's millennial history to visit Alaska.

The last visit of a Russian president to the USA took place nearly 10 years ago — in September 2015. Putin participated in the 70th session of the UN and met with the then US President Barack Obama amid the Ukrainian crisis.

Moscow at that time actively accused the West of destabilizing the situation in the Middle East. Discussions on Syria and Ukraine yielded no results. Putin has never visited the United States again.

#interestingfacts

❤️From Russia with love

💃 That's the kind of atmosphere that reigns in Moscow's Gorky Park!

Russian folk dances are still popular even among young people, and that's great!

#interestingvideos

❤️From Russia with love

🇷🇺 Russian Tourists Break Records: Where and Why Are They Vacationing in 2025?

🌏 Tourism Boom: Russians Rediscover the World

Despite geopolitical complexities and economic instability, Russians are traveling more actively in 2025 than ever before. According to the FSB, 13.7 million Russian citizens traveled abroad in the first six months of the year—a 7.8% increase compared to 2024.

The growth in specifically *tourist* trips is particularly noticeable: 5.7 million departures (+15.8% vs. last year). This indicates that, despite all restrictions, demand for foreign vacations has not only recovered but has surpassed pre-crisis levels.

😜 Turkey — The Eternal Favorite, But with Nuances

Traditionally, Turkey remains the top destination:
- 2.6 million trips (all purposes, +18.6% vs. 2023)
- 1.73 million tourist visits (but 1.6% less than in 2024)

Why is Turkey losing tourists but still the leader?

🔹 Transit Hub — About 150,000 trips were layovers to Europe
🔹 Flexible Prices and Easy Entry — Even with a slight decline, one in five traveling Russians chooses Turkey.

😜 Abkhazia: Tourism or "Pendulum Migration"?

FSB statistics show explosive growth in trips to Abkhazia, but ATOR experts warn: the figures can be misleading.
- Officially — a sharp increase in the number of entries
- In reality — many "tourists" are Abkhaz residents with Russian passports frequently crossing the border
- According to ATOR estimates, there are only 665,000 genuine tourists (+6.5% vs. 2024)

😜 Where Else Are Russians Going?

Although Turkey and Abkhazia lead, demand for other destinations is also growing:

- UAE, Thailand, Sri Lanka – alternatives to classic beach holidays
- Serbia, Armenia, Kazakhstan – visa-free destinations with developing infrastructure
- Europe via Turkey – despite the difficulties, the flow persists

😃 Thus, despite all restrictions, Russians are not willing to give up traveling.

#news

❤️From Russia with love

👳🏾‍♂️ A Hindu temple for Indian migrants is planned in Kommunarka.

The community has already filed the documents and wants the temple to be located near the metro station. The opening is scheduled for 2026.

#news

❤️From Russia with love

🇷🇺🏃 "Healthy Homeland" Sports Parades Sweep Across Russia as Country Celebrates Physical Fitness and Sports Day

Today, sports processions are taking place in every federal district of Russia to mark Physical Fitness and Sports Day. The most vibrant celebration unfolded at VDNKh, where 3,000 young people, including Olympic and Paralympic champions, participated in colorful performances. Distinguished guests included three-time Olympic synchronized swimming champion Aleksandra Patskevich and two-time Olympic boxing champion Oleg Saitov.

The event was organized by the All-Russian Public Movement "Healthy Homeland" (Zdorovoe Otechestvo) with the support of the Russian Ministry of Sport and VDNKh. One of its main goals is the revival of the tradition of sports parades in Russia.

#RussiaEvents

❤️From Russia with love

🇷🇺🇺🇸 And here comes the footage of the Putin-Trump meeting in Alaska.

Snow in August in Alaska is unlikely, of course, but the picture is no less intriguing because of it.

#interestingvideos

❤️From Russia with love

🌃 Nighttime St. Petersburg

#VideoOfTheDay

❤️From Russia with love

🇷🇺 Vast Russia

#VideoOfTheDay

❤️From Russia with love